THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF AROUND THE WINDOW DOWN TO THE METAL IT ONLY HAS 50000 MILES ON IT I HAVE READ ABOUT 165 COMPLAINTS ON THE 2017FORD ESCAPE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THERE DEFINITELY SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS I WANT THIS FIX NOW. S
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
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.
Unknown Or Other complaints
153 reportsVEHICLE KEEPS OVERHEATING. WE CONTINUE TO ADD COOLANT. WE'RE ABLE TO ONLY DRIVE A SHORT DISTANCE AT APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 30 MPH AND THE VEHICLE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO OVERHEAT AGAIN
ON 10/27/20, I WAS DRIVING MY 2017 FORD ESCAPE ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED TO ME LIKE A SHOTGUN BLAST. GLASS STARTED RAINING DOWN ON ME AND I LOOKED UP AND FIND MY SUNROOF HAD "EXPLODED". FORTUNATELY, NO GLASS LANDED IN MY EYE OR CUT ME BAD, AND I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND EXIT THE FREEWAY SAFELY WITHOUT CAUSING …
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ON 10/27/20, I WAS DRIVING MY 2017 FORD ESCAPE ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED TO ME LIKE A SHOTGUN BLAST. GLASS STARTED RAINING DOWN ON ME AND I LOOKED UP AND FIND MY SUNROOF HAD "EXPLODED". FORTUNATELY, NO GLASS LANDED IN MY EYE OR CUT ME BAD, AND I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND EXIT THE FREEWAY SAFELY WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORDS.
IN MARCH 2020 I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED PRE OWNED 2017 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM FROM DOWNS FORD IN TOMS RIVER, NJ. APPROXIMATELY IN MID JULY 2020 THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WITH THE VEHICLE, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND COULD NOT BE STARTED, THE CAR WAS TOWED TO FREEHOLD FORD WHICH WAS THE CLOSEST FORD DEALERSHIP…
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IN MARCH 2020 I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED PRE OWNED 2017 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM FROM DOWNS FORD IN TOMS RIVER, NJ. APPROXIMATELY IN MID JULY 2020 THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WITH THE VEHICLE, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND COULD NOT BE STARTED, THE CAR WAS TOWED TO FREEHOLD FORD WHICH WAS THE CLOSEST FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD THE VEHICLE A FEW DAYS, THEY SAID THEY CLEARED SOME CODES AND WE TOOK THE CAR HOME. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER A MESSAGE CAME UP ON THE DASH THAT SAID AUTO STARTSTOP SHIFT TO P RESTART ENGINE. AT THAT POINT WE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO DOWNS FORD THE DEALERSHIP WE PURCHASED THE CAR FROM EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY HAD THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEK. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS WE TOLD THEM THAT HAD OCCURRED WHILE TEST DRIVING THE CAR SO THEY ASKED FOR PERMISSION FOR THEIR SERVICE MANAGER TO USE THE CAR TO GO TO AND FROM WORK TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. THEY SAID IT DID NOT AND SINCE NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR ASKED US TO PICK THE CAR UP. WHILE USING THE CAR OVER THE NEXT WEEK THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ON 8/23/20 WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CAR TURNED OFF MESSAGE ON THE DASH AUTO START STOP SHIFT TO P RESTART ENGINE, ON 8/24/20 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT LURCHED FORWARD AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND DROVE AWAY,8/27/20 SLOWING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CAR LOST POWER AND TURNED OFF MESSAGE ON DASH AUTO START STOP SHIFT TO P RESTART ENGINE, THEN WHILE DRIVING THE RPM'S WENT TO ZERO I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THEN SUDDENLY I GOT POWER BACK,8/29/20 SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED TWICE WHILE DRIVING BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT AGAIN.THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THE CAR HAS NO POWER AND STOPS IN TRAFFIC RISKING BEING REAR ENDED.
I'VE HAD MY CAR TWO YEARS AND MULTIPLE THINGS HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE PURCHASE. REGARDLESS, MY MOST RECENT CONCERN IS MY HILL START NOT AVAILABLE LIGHT IS ON AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I SENT MY CAR TO A DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE THE ISSUE AND DISCOVERED THE SASM NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. HOWEVER THE DEALE…
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I'VE HAD MY CAR TWO YEARS AND MULTIPLE THINGS HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE PURCHASE. REGARDLESS, MY MOST RECENT CONCERN IS MY HILL START NOT AVAILABLE LIGHT IS ON AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I SENT MY CAR TO A DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE THE ISSUE AND DISCOVERED THE SASM NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. HOWEVER THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THIS DOES NOT BECOME AN ISSUE UNLESS THE CAR HAS BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT NOW NOR PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE. CAR FAX SHOW NO RECORDS OF ANY DAMAGE TO THE PHYSICAL BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAD NO OTHER EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THESE LIGHTS WOULD HAVE BEEN ACTIVATED AND I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT IT WILL CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE TO MY CAR. AGAIN I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR TWO YEARS AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT LONGER, IF SOMETHING CAN BE EXPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
EMPLOYEE WENT OUT TO START HIS CAR IN THE MORNING TO GO TO WORK. HE WENT OUT A FEW MINUTES LATER AND THE BACK WINDOW HAD EXPLODED. IT WAS COLD OUT THE NIGHT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED BATTERY WARNING LIGHT AND OIL LEVEL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED BATTERY WARNING LIGHT AND OIL LEVEL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUMMERVILLE FORD LOCATED AT 9700 DORCHESTER RD, SUMMERVILLE, SC 29485, WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,769.
AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN THE AUTO RESTART KICKED IN. NORMALLY IT START FINE AFTER I LET GO OF THE BRAKE, BUT THIS TIME IT STALLED COMPLETELY AND LOST ALL POWER. I COULD NOT TURN ON THE BLINKERS. I WAS TRYING TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE WAY BUT I COULD NOT EVEN CHANGE GEAR TO NEUTRAL AND IT HAD O POWER STEERING. WE CALL ROADSIDE A…
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AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN THE AUTO RESTART KICKED IN. NORMALLY IT START FINE AFTER I LET GO OF THE BRAKE, BUT THIS TIME IT STALLED COMPLETELY AND LOST ALL POWER. I COULD NOT TURN ON THE BLINKERS. I WAS TRYING TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE WAY BUT I COULD NOT EVEN CHANGE GEAR TO NEUTRAL AND IT HAD O POWER STEERING. WE CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE BUT WHEN I OPEN THE HOOD TO CHECK FOR THE BATTERY ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER CAME BACK. I DON'T THINK IT WAS A BATTERY PROBLEM BECAUSE I JUST REPLACE MY BATTERY 2 WEEKS AGO. THE WHOLE PROCESS TOOK ABOUT 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE POWER CAME BACK. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT DOES THAT FIRST TIME IT JUST STALLED BUT DID NOT LOSE ANY POWER. THIS IS PRETTY SCARY STUFF IF IT HAPPENS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH NO POWER STEERING ESPECIALLY WITH A FAMILY. *TR
POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN I STOP THE CAR TURNS OFF BUT IT DOES NOT START AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN AT A STOPLIGHT AND MY CAR TURNS OFF COMPLETELY HAS TO BE PUT INTO PARK AND RESTARTED. THIS IS SO INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE A CAR COULD EASILY RUN INTO ME BECAUSE MY CAR IS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD…
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POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN I STOP THE CAR TURNS OFF BUT IT DOES NOT START AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN AT A STOPLIGHT AND MY CAR TURNS OFF COMPLETELY HAS TO BE PUT INTO PARK AND RESTARTED. THIS IS SO INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE A CAR COULD EASILY RUN INTO ME BECAUSE MY CAR IS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. MY CAR IS NOW DOING THIS EVERY TIME I STOP UNLESS I TURN THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE BUTTON TO 'OFF'. UNFORTUNATELY, THE DEFAULT FOR MY CAR IS THAT IS IT ON. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR OTHER FORD ESCAPES (HTTPS://FORD.OEMDTC.COM/2673/16B31-POWERTRAIN-CONTROL-MODULE-REPROGRAMMING-2017-FORD-ESCAPE) BUT WHEN I CALL FORD THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE MY CAR WAS NOT MADE AT THE RIGHT FACTORY ON THE RIGHT DAY, YET HAS THE SAME ISSUE.
WHEN IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT CAR WILL SHUT DOWN AND YOU MUST PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER THE PAST MONTH. NO CODES OF WARNING LIGHTS COME ON.
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.
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