← New search

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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
91,000 miles · Jan 11, 2024
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the check engine warning light was flashing on and off. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the computer system was down. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that coolant was leakin…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the check engine warning light was flashing on and off. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the computer system was down. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that coolant was leaking into the cylinder and the engine. The check engine warning light was reset. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, and the contact was informed that there was a cylinder misfire. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

NHTSA ODI #11564849

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion System

Vehicle indicated on the on board information screen that the engine has misfire and service engine soon. Inspected and noticed coolant lower than normal and engine would idle different. Took to dealer for check engine light. Inspected by certified technician and was told the coolant was "washing the cylinder walls of cylinder 2…

Read full complaint

Vehicle indicated on the on board information screen that the engine has misfire and service engine soon. Inspected and noticed coolant lower than normal and engine would idle different. Took to dealer for check engine light. Inspected by certified technician and was told the coolant was "washing the cylinder walls of cylinder 2 and dripping into cylinder 3 causing misfire and coolant to enter the combustion chambers and exhaust system ". Fords only fix to this was a complete engine replace. Quoted $8500 to replace. Was told by service writer that Ford has known about this problem on numerous models and passes the repair bill to the Customer with no help. This vehicle transport my 3 children and wife daily. After further review this could cause the engine to over heat cause the oil to become a the cooling solution until it the vehicle will stall and could bust in flames. One engine code indicated that the Evap system has malfunction and could not release the gas vapors from fuel tank. Which will cause the tank to explode with no warning. I bought this vehicle brand new and had services done when needed. 122k miles on a 6 year old vehicle and needing to replace a engine is not suppose to happen especially with a manufacturer that claim they are the leading manufacturer for the most sold and safest vehicles in America.

NHTSA ODI #11564793

110,000 miles · Jan 10, 2024
Power Train

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an unknown speed, the gears seized. The vehicle failed to reverse. The transmission became inoperable. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was repaired under NHTSA Campaig…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an unknown speed, the gears seized. The vehicle failed to reverse. The transmission became inoperable. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact called the local dealer but was unable to obtain a timely appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #11564539

56,767 miles · Jan 9, 2024
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The ve…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was advised to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 56,767.

NHTSA ODI #11564354

65,000 miles · Jan 8, 2024
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and hesitated as if the engine was misfiring. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program NHTSA ID Number: 10213732 (Engine and Engine Cooling) howe…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and hesitated as if the engine was misfiring. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program NHTSA ID Number: 10213732 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however after checking on Manufacturer’s website, the contact learned that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into a cylinder and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #11564091

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2024
Engine

I was pulling out on the to the highway and my car just instantly died I barely got it off the road. If someone would have been behind me there would have been a crash I just got lucky. No warning signs no nothing. I had to get my engine replaced because of the coolant leak this is a problem most people are having. I just seen y…

Read full complaint

I was pulling out on the to the highway and my car just instantly died I barely got it off the road. If someone would have been behind me there would have been a crash I just got lucky. No warning signs no nothing. I had to get my engine replaced because of the coolant leak this is a problem most people are having. I just seen you recalled some 20 20 22s 23s for another problem why can you guys not recall these engines with the coolant leak I have spent thousands to fix this problem Ford needs to pay people back for this problem. Please do something with these engine coolant leaks. So many people are complaining and no one's doing anything. That's not cool when someone's driving and your car just instantly dies on the highway I was just lucky I was able to just Coast to get it off the road.

NHTSA ODI #11563962

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2024
EnginePower TrainFire

I have a problem with my coolant leaking in the engine of my 2017 Ford Escape SE. case, [XXX] is from ford I have contacted ford several times on this issue. My vehicle is currently in the shop now since 11/14/2023. Ford says they are not going to fix my vehicle and it's a known issue I have included the service bulletin fro…

Read full complaint

I have a problem with my coolant leaking in the engine of my 2017 Ford Escape SE. case, [XXX] is from ford I have contacted ford several times on this issue. My vehicle is currently in the shop now since 11/14/2023. Ford says they are not going to fix my vehicle and it's a known issue I have included the service bulletin from Ford's website below. Any help getting my vehicle fixed would be greatly appreciated. I am also having problems with my transmission. VIN NUMBER [XXX] Bulletin [XXX] · Number: TSB [XXX] · Date: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11563913

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2024
Engine

Ford Escape 2017 with 2.0 eco boost engine started and ran rough for a few minutes. After driving the check engine light came on. Took to Tuffy who said it had coolant in #3 cylinder after sitting overnight. They would not repair so took to Firestone who verified and found #3 spark plug with heavy deposit and failed coil pack. F…

Read full complaint

Ford Escape 2017 with 2.0 eco boost engine started and ran rough for a few minutes. After driving the check engine light came on. Took to Tuffy who said it had coolant in #3 cylinder after sitting overnight. They would not repair so took to Firestone who verified and found #3 spark plug with heavy deposit and failed coil pack. Fixed. Check engine light came on again. I refilled the coolant reservoir and light went off. The engine tried to stumble and stall a few times which messes up the power steering. Took to dealer who charged for their mechanic to verify what I already paid for. They quoted $8,400 for a long block replacement. If you have a leaky head gasket, why do you need a long block??? Because the block has coolant slits between cylinders which cause the head gasket to fail. After 2017 there is a design change. Ford says they have campaign 21N12 for 1.5L engine but nothing for 2.0L. This is a LEMON law defect. It has only 71,000 miles. I suppose that I will be filing class action and lemon case.

NHTSA ODI #11563761

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2023
EngineInjury

Head gasket failed causing coolant to leak entirely. A KNOWN DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11562728

85,000 miles · Dec 28, 2023
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that an unknown cylinder was misfiring. An unknown repair was performed; however, the failure recurred while …

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that an unknown cylinder was misfiring. An unknown repair was performed; however, the failure recurred while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to another mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that after parking and turning off the vehicle, the engine fan continued to run. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a coolant intrusion in the engine, and the engine needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 21N12; however, the dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #11562441

Official recalls

4

26V374000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Ford Escape problems