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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.

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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

Power Train complaints

390 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2021
Power Train

The car would not get into gear without warning. The car would not produce power when I would press the gas. Then, moments later, without warning, the engine would rev without input, however, the car would not accelerate. I had to pull over and the turn the car off multiple times. I ended up getting a warning light indicating t…

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The car would not get into gear without warning. The car would not produce power when I would press the gas. Then, moments later, without warning, the engine would rev without input, however, the car would not accelerate. I had to pull over and the turn the car off multiple times. I ended up getting a warning light indicating to service the transmission, but when I turned the car off, the warning light would go away, but continue to not get into gear and then jerk, especially at low speed. i ended up taking to the car to a mechanic and got an error code indicating that the car could not get into 5th gear. I was told that the vehicle needed transmission fluid change, which I did. I then drove for about 200 miles without issues. Then suddenly while driving at about 70mph, I the service transmission light came on. i pulled the vehicle over and turned off the car. About 20 minutes later, I again started driving at highway speed for about 5 miles, and the service transmission light did not show and I had no additional issues. I then parked the car over night and then started to drive to the highway. Approximately 5 minutes of driving at highway speed the car would no accelerate when I pressed the accelerator, and i attempted to accelerate the car, but the vehicle would not rev the engine nor provide power, I had no warning lights. When this happened, the car started to decelerate as if the car was in neutral. I ended up having to get the car towed and serviced. i am currently awaiting the results of what is wrong with the car.

NHTSA ODI #11431817

98,000 miles · Aug 26, 2021
Power Train

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the service transmission message displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to a dealer where he was informed that the clutch had failed and that the transmission needed to be replaced. The m…

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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the service transmission message displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to a dealer where he was informed that the clutch had failed and that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred him to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #11430646

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2021
EnginePower Train

I went to Lenoir City ford with issues of misfiring cylinder and mostly Limp Mode on the highway. They cleared my codes and sent me on my way. ^ This occured while my vehicle was still under warranty. Now, expired warranty, I have the same issue and they will not cover under warranty when the issue was first discovered. Good l…

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I went to Lenoir City ford with issues of misfiring cylinder and mostly Limp Mode on the highway. They cleared my codes and sent me on my way. ^ This occured while my vehicle was still under warranty. Now, expired warranty, I have the same issue and they will not cover under warranty when the issue was first discovered. Good lord I need me a recall

NHTSA ODI #11423934

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2021
Power Train

I was driving along, approaching an intersection, and suddenly my car had no gears! The rpm's went sky high when I pressed on the gas but I had no drive. Thankfully I was able to coast to a turning lane and into a parking lot without incident. There had been no warning lights or funny noises and this was completely unexpected an…

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I was driving along, approaching an intersection, and suddenly my car had no gears! The rpm's went sky high when I pressed on the gas but I had no drive. Thankfully I was able to coast to a turning lane and into a parking lot without incident. There had been no warning lights or funny noises and this was completely unexpected and could have caused an accident! I had to call a tow truck and the ford dealer that I took it to is now telling me the transmission needs replaced and that this is a common problem with this vehicle! And this is only 4 months after they replaced the engine that was bad! Shame on ford for not recalling this vehicle!

NHTSA ODI #11423347

75,000 miles · May 10, 2021
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TYLER FORD LOCATED AT 2626 S SW LOOP 323, TYLER, TX 75701 WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TYLER FORD LOCATED AT 2626 S SW LOOP 323, TYLER, TX 75701 WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #11415963

Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2021
Power Train

I HAVE A 2017 FORD ESCAPE 67,338 TOOK IT TO FORD DEALER (GALPIN FORD) MY COMPLAIN WAS THAT MY TRANSMISSION WHEN WARM REVERSE GEAR IS HARD TO ENGAGE AND WILL NOT GO OVER 55MPH. GOT A CALL BACK THAT IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. FORD REFUSED TO HELP ON ANY WAY TO FIX IT, ALMOST $6,000.00 TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION WITH 67K ON IT, W…

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I HAVE A 2017 FORD ESCAPE 67,338 TOOK IT TO FORD DEALER (GALPIN FORD) MY COMPLAIN WAS THAT MY TRANSMISSION WHEN WARM REVERSE GEAR IS HARD TO ENGAGE AND WILL NOT GO OVER 55MPH. GOT A CALL BACK THAT IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. FORD REFUSED TO HELP ON ANY WAY TO FIX IT, ALMOST $6,000.00 TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION WITH 67K ON IT, WHY IS FORD COMPANY NOT HELPING CUSTOMERS WITH THIS PROBLEM, WHAT IS REALLY BAD FOR ME IS THAT I HAVE 2017 FORD TRANSIT THAT HAS THE SAME TRANSMISSION. I HOPE FORD IS NOT WAITING FOR SOMETHING BAD TO HAPPEN BEFORE THEY FIND A FIX FOR THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11407141

88,000 miles · Apr 1, 2021
Power Train

ON 2/17/21 MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK ON A BUSY INTERSTATE RIGHT AFTER A MAJOR SNOW STORM. NO WHERE SAFE TO PULL OFF. THE CAR STARTED JERKING AND LOST POWER ALONG WITH NOISE AND SYSTEM ERROR FLASHED ACROSS DASHBOARD STATING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CARE EVENTUALLY LOST POWER AND HAD TO PULL OF…

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ON 2/17/21 MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK ON A BUSY INTERSTATE RIGHT AFTER A MAJOR SNOW STORM. NO WHERE SAFE TO PULL OFF. THE CAR STARTED JERKING AND LOST POWER ALONG WITH NOISE AND SYSTEM ERROR FLASHED ACROSS DASHBOARD STATING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CARE EVENTUALLY LOST POWER AND HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CAR WAS TOWED IN TO DEALERSHIP. TORQUE CONVERTER COMPLETELY BLEW. THEY HAD MY CAR FOR 6 WEEKS. I JUST GOT IT BACK LAST NIGHT. THEY SAID THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD TO BE REDESIGNED AND IF IT MADE ME FEEL ANY BETTER THERE WERE MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE I WAS HAVING AND THEY WERE WORKING ON. THE ICING ON THE CAKE WAS WHEN THEY CALLED ME YESTERDAY TO SAY IT WAS FINALLY REPAIR AFTER 6 WEEKS THAT IT FELL UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY SO WE GOT SOCKED WITH THE $100 DEDUCTABLE. WHEN A MAJOR CAR PART HAS TO BE "REDESIGNED" FOR ANY REPAIR TO BE MADE, THAT SHOULD BE A RED FLAG TO THE MANUFACTURER AND A RECALL ISSUED.

NHTSA ODI #11406043

88,000 miles · Feb 22, 2021
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT'S WIFE OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED. THE CONTACT PUSHED THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE TRANSMISSION NOW MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER CAVEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT'S WIFE OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED. THE CONTACT PUSHED THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE TRANSMISSION NOW MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER CAVENDER FORD (4860 INTERSTATE 10 FRONTAGE RD, COLUMBUS, TX 78934, (855)874-2232) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.

NHTSA ODI #11397424

36,000 miles · Feb 11, 2021
Power Train

36,000 MILES AND COOLANT LEAKED INTO ENGINE. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE LONG BLOCK, BASICALLY REPLACE THE ENGINE. IT'S BEEN A MONTH NOW AND NO WORK HAS BEEN STARTED. THIS ENGINE LEAK ISSUE ON THE FORD ECOBOOST 1.5L ENGINE HAS BEEN KNOWN TO FORD MOTOR CO. SINCE AT LEAST 2015.

NHTSA ODI #11395850

93,000 miles · Feb 8, 2021
Power Train

TRANSMISSION WENT WITH ONLY 93,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING IT WAS HESITANT TO GO WHEN I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF IT. CAR DIDN'T WANT TO GO IN REVERSE. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO MECHANIC JUST IN TIME BEFORE CAR WAS TOTALLY OUT OF COMMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #11395209

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