IllustrationEngine failure due to coolant intrusion in cylinders. Whenever an engine fails there is a safety issue. Local Ford dealer has diagnosed this problem. Check engine light and rough running on start up were the original symptoms. First appeared June 2024, when the vehicle had about 60,000 miles on the odometer.
2017 Ford Escape
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Escape years
Owner complaints for the 2017 Ford Escape are substantially higher than the model-year median of 996.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escape years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1510–25K
17625–50K
30450–75K
25375–100K
237100–150K
34150K+
1,155 reports with mileage · 1,522 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 1,564 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 507 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 390 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
39 crash reports15 fire reports38 injury reports
What owners actually said
2,677 reportsThe contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was flashing while starting the vehicle; however, while driving, the warning light independently turned off. The contact stated that after driving for a while, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated while acce…
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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was flashing while starting the vehicle; however, while driving, the warning light independently turned off. The contact stated that after driving for a while, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated while accelerating after the vehicle had been parked. The contact immediately stopped driving. The contact called the dealer and was advised to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into cylinder #2; causing several engine misfires, and the spark plugs to oxidize between the cylinder head and the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact became aware of Customer Satisfaction Program, NHTSA ID Number: 10213732 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the Customer Satisfaction Program. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 59,554.
See attached document for complaint
The car only has 95k miles on it and i maintain it very well and the now i have a coolant cylender and i am going to need a new engine
Engine are now failure due to coolant intrusion from the manufacturing defect in the cylinder walls. It is currently in the service department of 5 star ford in Dallas TX on president george bush turnpike. The coolant leak caused the engine to overheat and put my family’s life in danger while the vehicle was being operated on ro…
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Engine are now failure due to coolant intrusion from the manufacturing defect in the cylinder walls. It is currently in the service department of 5 star ford in Dallas TX on president george bush turnpike. The coolant leak caused the engine to overheat and put my family’s life in danger while the vehicle was being operated on roadways. The failure has been confirmed by the dealership and they have refused to pay for the cost of the repairs. They are demanding that we pay $10000 for a new engine and have been unwilling to help in any way. Warning message did not appear until the engine was completely overheated and faulty.
There’s coolant leaking into my 3rd cylinder and it’s causing it to misfire and there isn’t a way for the mechanic to fix it because of the way they designed the engine. It was only a 7 year old suv with 78,000 miles on it. If that’s not messed up, I don’t know what is. I know I’m not the only one either.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was involved in a collision. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal two days later, the vehicle lurched forward and hesitated to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. Add…
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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was involved in a collision. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal two days later, the vehicle lurched forward and hesitated to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. Additionally, the RPM was revving significantly. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) tappet had fractured and caused metal pieces intrusion into the engine, fractured unknown parts, and blocked the oil flow. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced and that the failure was not related to the accident. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Coolant intrusion due to design flaw...motor is skipping really bad and running extremely rough
While driving car on expressway, my car was slowing down like it was going to shut off, and I immediately exit the highway and got off the nearest exit, and car shut off right as I was trying to exit highway. Ecoboost on vehicle is also not working. i believe also something on fire within vehicle.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, while attempting to leave the residence, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there wa…
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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, while attempting to leave the residence, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was coolant intrusion into the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.
Official recalls
426V374000 · Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls
Jun 9, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Escape vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 16V617. The power-operated windows may exert excessive force when encountering an object, before they automatically reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A closing window that does not reverse direction as expected can pinch a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the power window operating system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 22, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C29. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.
26V011000 · Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater
Jan 15, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
22V413000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod
Jun 10, 2022
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
16V617000 · Electrical System:software; Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls
Aug 24, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2017 Ford Escape Titanium and SE vehicles manufactured October 5, 2015, to May 12, 2016. The settings for the closing-force of the power-operated windows may allow the windows to close on an object such as a body part and injure it before the windows auto-reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If a window closes on a body part, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford has notified owners, and dealers will update the power window operating system software, free of charge. The recall began on September 6, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C12.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:software
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2017 Ford Escape Titanium and SE vehicles manufactured October 5, 2015, to May 12, 2016. The settings for the closing-force of the power-operated windows may allow the windows to close on an object such as a body part and injure it before the windows auto-reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
Consequence: If a window closes on a body part, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford has notified owners, and dealers will update the power window operating system software, free of charge. The recall began on September 6, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C12.
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2017 Ford Escape Titanium and SE vehicles manufactured October 5, 2015, to May 12, 2016. The settings for the closing-force of the power-operated windows may allow the windows to close on an object such as a body part and injure it before the windows auto-reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
Consequence: If a window closes on a body part, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford has notified owners, and dealers will update the power window operating system software, free of charge. The recall began on September 6, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C12.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.