IllustrationTHE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MARCH 11, 2019 AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, EVEN THOUGH THE BREAKS WERE BEING APPLIED. FOR ANY TYPE OF BREAKAGE, YOU WOULD HAVE TO ACCEL THE CAR TO GO FASTER. THE CAR IS STILL IN THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE NOT BEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM.
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
Service Brakes complaints
45 reportsTHE CAR SUDDENLY LOSES POWER. THEN THE BRAKING IS VERY DIFFICULT . YOU FEEL AS THOUGH THE CAR WILL NOT STOP . THIS HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES IN THE SPAN OF 300 MILES .THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS.
REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AFTER 20, 000 MILES, FORD REPLACED THE ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT REFUSED TO REPLACE THE WORN PADS. THE RUFF SURFACE OF THE ROTORS CAUSED THE BRAKE PADS TO WEAR. THEY SHOULD ALSO HAVE REPLACED THE PADS.
WITHIN 17,000 MILES ON THE 2017 FORD ESCAPE THE BRAKES AND THE ROTORS WENT OUT AND WITHIN 8 MONTHS OF HAVING BOUGHT THE ESCAPE ONE OF THE REAR SEATBELTS IS NOT WORKING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORD STORE MORGAN HILL (17045 CONDIT RD, MORGAN HILL, CA 95037, (408) 782-8201) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORD STORE MORGAN HILL (17045 CONDIT RD, MORGAN HILL, CA 95037, (408) 782-8201) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
REPORTED THIS ISSUE 3 TIMES TO THE DEALER AND THEY CLAIM THEY CAN'T REPLICATE. WHEN I RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE AND BEGIN TO DRIVE, THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE PARTICULARLY IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE, THE FRONT OF THE CAR SHAKES AND THE BRAKE SEEMS TO KNOCK AS IF IT'S GRIPPING AND THEN RELEASING. VERY SCAR…
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REPORTED THIS ISSUE 3 TIMES TO THE DEALER AND THEY CLAIM THEY CAN'T REPLICATE. WHEN I RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE AND BEGIN TO DRIVE, THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE PARTICULARLY IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE, THE FRONT OF THE CAR SHAKES AND THE BRAKE SEEMS TO KNOCK AS IF IT'S GRIPPING AND THEN RELEASING. VERY SCARY. IT EVENTUALLY HOLDS BUT TAKES A WHILE. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS COULD BE BUT IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS USED AND THEN RELEASED. VERY UNSAFE AND SCARY THAT THE DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHAT THE ISSUE IS OR HOW TO RESOLVE IT OR TEST FOR IT! THIS HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION AND DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME.
MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2017 FORD ESCAPE, BRAND NEW, 6 MONTHS AGO. WE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT PLASTIC COVER WAS FOGGING OVER MAKING IT HARD TO SEE THE BRAKE LIGHT. AFTER CHECKING WITH OUR DEALER, MAC HAIK FORD, GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS NORMAL. NORMAL? SOUNDS MORE LIKE A SAFETY CONCERN TO ME. I WAS AL…
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MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2017 FORD ESCAPE, BRAND NEW, 6 MONTHS AGO. WE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT PLASTIC COVER WAS FOGGING OVER MAKING IT HARD TO SEE THE BRAKE LIGHT. AFTER CHECKING WITH OUR DEALER, MAC HAIK FORD, GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS NORMAL. NORMAL? SOUNDS MORE LIKE A SAFETY CONCERN TO ME. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT WATER LEAKING INTO THE BRAKE LIGHT UNIT WAS ALSO ?NORMAL.? I CAN?T IMAGINE ALLOWING WATER TO COLLECT INSIDE AN ELECTRICAL ITEM AS IMPORTANT AS A BRAKE LIGHT AND IS VERY STRANGE AND VERY WRONG! IF IT?S FOGGING UP NOW WHAT WILL IT LOOK LIKE A YEAR FROM NOW OR EVEN TWO YEARS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY MADE A MISTAKE AND THEY NEED TO REPLACE THIS BRAKE LIGHT UNIT! IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY KNOW IT. [XXX] , LEANDER, TEXAS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE CAR IN MOTION THE BREAK IS VERY HARD TO PRESS AND IT DOES NOT STOP THE CAR. EXCESSIVE FORCE APPLIED TO THE BREAK PEDDLE IS NECESSARY TO START TO SLOW THE CARS MOTION.
I WANT TO REPORT A SPORADIC LOSS OF THE POWER ASSIST FOR THE BRAKES MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 5 OR 6 SEPARATE OCCASIONS ON A TRIP FROM CHICAGO TO FLORIDA AND BACK SO WEATHER OR AIR TEMP IS NOT AN ISSUE. THE PROBLEM MAY OCCUR AFTER THE ENGINE IS STARTED. IT HAPPENS GOING BOTH FORWARD AND IN REVERSE. W…
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I WANT TO REPORT A SPORADIC LOSS OF THE POWER ASSIST FOR THE BRAKES MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 5 OR 6 SEPARATE OCCASIONS ON A TRIP FROM CHICAGO TO FLORIDA AND BACK SO WEATHER OR AIR TEMP IS NOT AN ISSUE. THE PROBLEM MAY OCCUR AFTER THE ENGINE IS STARTED. IT HAPPENS GOING BOTH FORWARD AND IN REVERSE. WHEN I BACK THE CAR WITH A COLD ENGINE AND HIGH IDLE, DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP THE CAR. IF YOU HAVE NEVER DRIVEN A CAR WITH MANUAL BRAKES, YOU WOULD PROBABLY PANIC AND GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A 9 MONTH OLD CAR WITH LESS THAN 7,000 MILES.
BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO REAL HARD AND HARDLY STOP THE CAR, THEN IT WOULD BE OK AND EVERY THING WOULD WORK PROPER FOR A FEW DAYS. WHEN AT A STOP LIGHT AND MOTOR TURNS OFF IT SOMETIMES WOULD START UP AGAIN BEFORE YOU LIFTED YOUR FOOT. NO DASH LIGHTS WOULD COME ON SHOWING A PROBLEM, I DONT KNOW IF FAULT CODES WERE STORED. THE VEHICLE …
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BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO REAL HARD AND HARDLY STOP THE CAR, THEN IT WOULD BE OK AND EVERY THING WOULD WORK PROPER FOR A FEW DAYS. WHEN AT A STOP LIGHT AND MOTOR TURNS OFF IT SOMETIMES WOULD START UP AGAIN BEFORE YOU LIFTED YOUR FOOT. NO DASH LIGHTS WOULD COME ON SHOWING A PROBLEM, I DONT KNOW IF FAULT CODES WERE STORED. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD.
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.