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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.

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
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2026
Engine

Coolant for car engine was discovered by ford service technician in cylinder causing the spark plug to misfire and break. the engine miss fires and idles very rough. The check engine light keeps coming on flashing, which is another tell tale sigh, according to service advisor, that there is a problem. The car is available for in…

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Coolant for car engine was discovered by ford service technician in cylinder causing the spark plug to misfire and break. the engine miss fires and idles very rough. The check engine light keeps coming on flashing, which is another tell tale sigh, according to service advisor, that there is a problem. The car is available for inspection at any time. Driving becomes dangerous if the engine quits or causing the rough engine to not continue to run. Olathe Ford wants $10,000.00 for a new engine.

NHTSA ODI #11743791

70,345 miles · Jun 12, 2026
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate. While driving in traffic and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power and was choking and hesitating. The contact pulled over to let the vehicle cool down, after …

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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate. While driving in traffic and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power and was choking and hesitating. The contact pulled over to let the vehicle cool down, after which the Check Engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was driven to the residence, but the vehicle was unable to drive up a steep hill. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder 1 at start up, and coolant intrusion in cylinder #4, and a critical loss of compression in the engine. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,345.

NHTSA ODI #11743781

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2026
Engine

Check engine light came on. had it checked at the dealer and they confirmed coolant intrusion on the engine and that it needs an engine replacement. there was a technical service bulletin issue on this exact issue but Ford is refusing to help with any assistance. They estimated $12,000 to fix it.

NHTSA ODI #11743756

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2026
Engine

My Turbo/EcoBoost Escape’s check engine light kept coming on and off between October and December 2025. I took it to a Ford repair shop in December to diagnose (P0301 and P0306 engine codes), and they said coolant was leaking into an engine cylinder. They said maybe I hadn’t done a coolant flush years back, but they weren’t sure…

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My Turbo/EcoBoost Escape’s check engine light kept coming on and off between October and December 2025. I took it to a Ford repair shop in December to diagnose (P0301 and P0306 engine codes), and they said coolant was leaking into an engine cylinder. They said maybe I hadn’t done a coolant flush years back, but they weren’t sure why it developed. Regardless they said I needed to replace the entire engine— $10,000+ on an 8 year old car. I went to an independent repair shop for a second opinion. They confirmed the problem but told me more that Ford didn’t: it was a known design flaw (a Technical Service Bulletin notice was written) in the engine that Ford didn’t do a recall for, and yes I still needed to spend $10k to replace the engine, or else the car could risk becoming abruptly undrivable within months or as soon as weeks. I was very upset and disappointed a Ford dealer/repair shop wasn’t honest about what was going on, and Ford hadn’t stepped up to address the known flaw in their engines. I was put into a spot of spending $10k on an 8 year old car that was in great shape otherwise and paid off, but could become a piece of junk at any moment. I felt forced into having to get a new car, all because of a design flaw that Ford didn’t admit or correct. But they were happy to start trying to get me to buy a new Ford. As if.

NHTSA ODI #11743746

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2026
Engine

Due to a known defect for which there is already a class action lawsuit against Ford, the head gasket seal failed allowing coolant to seep into cylinders 2 and 3. In turn, this caused a crack in the engine wall requiring over $10,000 in repairs.

NHTSA ODI #11743412

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2026
Engine

In mid-XXX the engine light came on my 2017 Ford Escape Titanium EcoBoost 2.0 vehicle. I took the vehicle to an auto parts store & was told the problem code was P0303. OnXXX called Earnhardt Ford dealership in [XXX]. Spoke to a service tech that advised based on the code the problem is the coolant leaking into the engine cylinde…

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In mid-XXX the engine light came on my 2017 Ford Escape Titanium EcoBoost 2.0 vehicle. I took the vehicle to an auto parts store & was told the problem code was P0303. OnXXX called Earnhardt Ford dealership in [XXX]. Spoke to a service tech that advised based on the code the problem is the coolant leaking into the engine cylinder and the fix is a long block replacement. The cost could be $10,000 maybe more & there were no recalls for this problem on my vehicle & I no longer had a warranty because even though I purchased the extended warranty it expired in 2023. There is currently only 60,800 miles on my vehicle. XXX I called Ford Customer Service & filed a claim & was given case number & was told by the customer service rep the same decision. No recall, No warranty, claim denied. XXX Supervisor from Ford called & also denied the claim. Doing some research revealed this is a KNOWN Design defect that Ford is aware of on 2017-2019 Escapes as well other vehicles. Research also discovered there are multiple class action lawsuits against Ford such as Miller-V-Ford-Motor-Co-28, [XXX]; [XXX] Ford has put myself, any passengers in my vehicle including my grandbabies at risk for engine failure while driving. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11743337

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2026
Engine

Coolant reservoir keeps losing coolant. Took it to a mechanic who said it has a blown head gasket. Ford knows about this issue for this exact vehicle and has known since at least 2020, but hasn't issued any recalls. There are at least two service bulletins about this car.

NHTSA ODI #11743226

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2026
Engine

The Ford 2.0L EcoBoost engine has known issue of coolant in cylinders which causes misfires. Ford has yet to issue a recall on this engine. They have redesigned the engine to solve the known problem. Why have they not issued a recall and why our customers being stuck with the repair costs. The vehicle will suddenly start loosing…

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The Ford 2.0L EcoBoost engine has known issue of coolant in cylinders which causes misfires. Ford has yet to issue a recall on this engine. They have redesigned the engine to solve the known problem. Why have they not issued a recall and why our customers being stuck with the repair costs. The vehicle will suddenly start loosing power which could cause a rear end accident. The Ford service center has confirmed this is the issue. The code that was displayed on OBDII was #07E8- cylinder 2 misfire.

NHTSA ODI #11743148

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2026
Engine

My problem was with the cooling system. My car has run great. Absolutely love my car on the way home 2 weeks ago. The coolant hose busted. I towed it to the mechanic shop and he informed me that it wasn't just a busted hose that somehow my coolant is leaking into my motor somewhere. It has not been fixed yet but as doing researc…

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My problem was with the cooling system. My car has run great. Absolutely love my car on the way home 2 weeks ago. The coolant hose busted. I towed it to the mechanic shop and he informed me that it wasn't just a busted hose that somehow my coolant is leaking into my motor somewhere. It has not been fixed yet but as doing research is where I seen that most Ford escapes apparently has a coolant problem and I'm very disappointed that this was not handled and now I'm out of vehicle. If I cannot figure out a way to afford to get it fixed there was no warning signs. I've never missed a oil change. I had the spark plugs change and now I'm just out of vehicle. If I cannot get this fixed and to read that y'all knew about this problem is very disheartening

NHTSA ODI #11743019

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2026
Engine

On Saturday May 30th my vehicle did a safety shut down and told me to pull over, it appeared to be overheating. Checked my coolant and my reserve tank was empty. I took it to my Ford dealer, their diagnosis was that my engine block was defective/porice and leaking coolant. They stated this is a known issue with Ford. There is a …

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On Saturday May 30th my vehicle did a safety shut down and told me to pull over, it appeared to be overheating. Checked my coolant and my reserve tank was empty. I took it to my Ford dealer, their diagnosis was that my engine block was defective/porice and leaking coolant. They stated this is a known issue with Ford. There is a Ford recall 26S01 dated 1/15/26 for this exact issue that my vehicle has not been included in. I strongly feel I need to be compensated for this as it is the exact issue I am experiencing.

NHTSA ODI #11742678

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