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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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94,500 miles · Aug 17, 2019
Electrical SystemPower Train

A VEHICLE THAT JUST TURNED THREE YEARS OLD IS HAVING EXTREME POWERTRAIN TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND ELECTRICAL SENSOR ISSUES! I AM HAVING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN A CAR THAT HAS ONLY 90,000 MILES AND IS COSTING ME OVER $4000 OUT OF POCKET! ELECTRICAL ERROR ARE HAPPENING FROM LIGHT MALFUNCTIONS TO BULB ERRORS, CROSS SENSORS, A…

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A VEHICLE THAT JUST TURNED THREE YEARS OLD IS HAVING EXTREME POWERTRAIN TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND ELECTRICAL SENSOR ISSUES! I AM HAVING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN A CAR THAT HAS ONLY 90,000 MILES AND IS COSTING ME OVER $4000 OUT OF POCKET! ELECTRICAL ERROR ARE HAPPENING FROM LIGHT MALFUNCTIONS TO BULB ERRORS, CROSS SENSORS, AND MORE

NHTSA ODI #11244632

6,750 miles · Jul 25, 2019
Power Train

VERY SIMILAR TO NHTSA ID 11083629. PULLING INTO TRAFFIC THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. MANAGED TO GET OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE SYSTEM MESSAGE "TRANSMISSION FAULT SERVICE NOW" CAME UP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 20 MPH. I WAS TRAVELING SO IT WAS TOWED TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. THEY CLEARED THE FAULT AND S…

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VERY SIMILAR TO NHTSA ID 11083629. PULLING INTO TRAFFIC THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. MANAGED TO GET OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE SYSTEM MESSAGE "TRANSMISSION FAULT SERVICE NOW" CAME UP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 20 MPH. I WAS TRAVELING SO IT WAS TOWED TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. THEY CLEARED THE FAULT AND SID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT, THEY HAD IT TWO WEEKS AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND/REPLICATE THE ISSUE AND GAVE IT BACK. I DROVE IT TWO DAYS AND IT OCCURED AGAIN. DROVE IT TO THE DEALER THIS WAY. THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD ECM, REPLACED IT AND THEY REPLCATED THE ISSUE ON THEIR TEST DRIVE AFTER THE "REPAIR". SAID THEY NEED TO CALL FORD FOR TECH ASSISTANCE. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR ~MONTH AND A HALF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, THE TRANSMISSION RANDOMLY FAILING AS YOU'RE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC IS A HUGE DANGER.

NHTSA ODI #11234890

54,000 miles · Jul 1, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

MY CAR HAD A MISFIRE SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT IT, THEY REPLACED SOME PARTS IN 2017, THEN MY AIR CONDITIONER QUIT RUNNING COLD, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED A COUPLE PARTS IN 2018, NOW IN 2019, THE ENGINE MISFIRES AGAIN LEADING TO AN ENTIRE ENGINE REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ODI #11228776

73,000 miles · Mar 29, 2019
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET MY CAR BEGIN TO LOOSE PRESSURE AND THE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SERVICE ENGINE NOW LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR BEGIN TO SHAKE VERY BAD. SO I PULLED OVER TURNED THE CAR OFF AND STARTED IT AGAIN. THE CAR DROVE OKAY AND I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE REPAIR SHOW BUT, EVERY TIME I STOPPED AT THE LIGHT THE VEHI…

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WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET MY CAR BEGIN TO LOOSE PRESSURE AND THE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SERVICE ENGINE NOW LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR BEGIN TO SHAKE VERY BAD. SO I PULLED OVER TURNED THE CAR OFF AND STARTED IT AGAIN. THE CAR DROVE OKAY AND I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE REPAIR SHOW BUT, EVERY TIME I STOPPED AT THE LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND THE LIGHT EVENTUALLY CAME BACK ON. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE THEN AND THEY CANNOT SEEM TO FIND OUT THE ISSUE. AT FIRST THE DEALER REPAIR SHOP SAID IT WAS MY WHEEL BEARING & MOTOR MOUNT, THEY REPLACED THOSE AND MY CAR STILL CONTINUE TO SHAKE WHEN STOPPING. THE SHOP IS CURRENTLY LOOKING INTO MY TRANSMISSION AS OF 3/29/2019.

NHTSA ODI #11192455

16,000 miles · Feb 19, 2019
Electrical SystemPower Train

AUTO START STOP SPORADICALLY CEASES TO WORK. IT WILL NOT RESTART AND VEHICLE DIRECTS ME TO PUT THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT LEVER INTO PARK AND RESTART THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I MIGHT BE REAR-ENDED BY THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME WHO EXPECTS ME TO LEAVE A STOP SIGN RED LIGHT, ET AL. QUICKLY. MY WIFE PUTS THE TEMPORARILY DISABLES T…

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AUTO START STOP SPORADICALLY CEASES TO WORK. IT WILL NOT RESTART AND VEHICLE DIRECTS ME TO PUT THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT LEVER INTO PARK AND RESTART THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I MIGHT BE REAR-ENDED BY THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME WHO EXPECTS ME TO LEAVE A STOP SIGN RED LIGHT, ET AL. QUICKLY. MY WIFE PUTS THE TEMPORARILY DISABLES THE FEATURE EVERY TIME SHE DRIVES THE VEHICLE. I FORGET WHEN I DRIVE IT AND THEN I STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT AND (SEE ABOVE). THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN THE 3RD YEAR OF OUR LEASE (SEPTEMBER 2018)

NHTSA ODI #11181247

39,000 miles · Feb 9, 2019
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

CAR STALLS AT INTERSECTIONS. THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN JANUARY AND HAS HAPPENED 5-10 TIMES SINCE. MESSAGE COMES UP TO PUT CAR IN PARK TO RESTART. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS I DO NOT KNOW IF THE CAR WILL RESTART AND POSSIBLE REAR END ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA ODI #11175836

38,990 miles · Jan 11, 2019
EnginePower Train

WITHIN ONE YEAR OF OWNING VEHICLE, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND OUT THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE HEAD GASKET. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. I HAVE NOTICED RECALLS ON ESCAPE VEHICLES IN THE PAST REGARDING THE SAME SITUATION HOWEVER NOTHING HAS BEEN SENT OUT REGARDING THE 2017 MODELS. THIS IS A PROBLEM…

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WITHIN ONE YEAR OF OWNING VEHICLE, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND OUT THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE HEAD GASKET. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. I HAVE NOTICED RECALLS ON ESCAPE VEHICLES IN THE PAST REGARDING THE SAME SITUATION HOWEVER NOTHING HAS BEEN SENT OUT REGARDING THE 2017 MODELS. THIS IS A PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING APPARENTLY AND A RECALL SHOULD BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK IT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AS IT IS SUCH A NEW VEHICLE. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT.

NHTSA ODI #11166536

15,852 miles · Oct 16, 2018
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK FROM FRONT TO BACK. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TUTTLE-CLICK FORD LINCOLN (43 AUTO CENTER DR, IRVINE, CA 92618, (949) 472-5200), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK FROM FRONT TO BACK. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TUTTLE-CLICK FORD LINCOLN (43 AUTO CENTER DR, IRVINE, CA 92618, (949) 472-5200), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND A CHIME SOUND WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUNRISE FORD OF NORTH HOLLYWOOD (5500 LANKERSHIM BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA 91601, (877) 510-8967), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: CAS16062115. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,852.

NHTSA ODI #11140754

21,980 miles · Oct 4, 2018
Power TrainStructureCrashInjury

ON OCTOBER 3, 2018 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:15 P.M. MY WIFE WAS GETTING INTO OUR 2017 FORD ESCAPE. SHE HAD THE DRIVER DOOR OPEN, BUT THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING, AS SHE WAS GETTING IN SHE FELT A JOLT, THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARD, THE DRIVER'S DOOR SIDESWIPED OUR OTHER CAR AND KNOCKED HER TO…

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ON OCTOBER 3, 2018 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:15 P.M. MY WIFE WAS GETTING INTO OUR 2017 FORD ESCAPE. SHE HAD THE DRIVER DOOR OPEN, BUT THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING, AS SHE WAS GETTING IN SHE FELT A JOLT, THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARD, THE DRIVER'S DOOR SIDESWIPED OUR OTHER CAR AND KNOCKED HER TO THE GROUND. THE CAR ROLLED ACROSS THE STREET AND STRUCK THE CAR PORT BEAM AT THE ADJACENT HOME. SHE YELLED FOR HELP AND WHEN I GOT THERE SHE WAS TRYING TO STOP THE ROLLING CAR. THE CAR WAS IN PARK, I STARTED THE CAR AND MOVED IT OFF THE STREET.

NHTSA ODI #11133248

13,000 miles · Sep 20, 2018
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER THE CONTACT PARKED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN MOVING FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V471000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MAN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER THE CONTACT PARKED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN MOVING FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V471000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE A DEALER DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,000.

NHTSA ODI #11130487

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