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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 · Oct 17, 2025
Engine

My 2017 Ford Escape with 55K miles (never missed a scheduled oil change since bought) was diagnosed with "coolant intrusion" . When the car broke down there were no prior indications that something was wrong, totally out of the blue. The dealership told me I would have to pay for a new engine because the warranty expired and gav…

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My 2017 Ford Escape with 55K miles (never missed a scheduled oil change since bought) was diagnosed with "coolant intrusion" . When the car broke down there were no prior indications that something was wrong, totally out of the blue. The dealership told me I would have to pay for a new engine because the warranty expired and gave me an estimate of $13,500.00. This is an engine defect and is happening to Ford owners throughout the US and they are being told the same things. How does coolant intrusion happen and why? A design defect which should be recalled and repaired by the company and not the consumer who has done nothing wrong.

NHTSA ODI #11693992

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2025
Engine

2017 Ford Escape Eco Boost 2.0 Bought used, immediately experienced what everyone else has according to the well documented design flaw in these engines, coolant leaked into cylinder 3. eventually destroyed turbo, ( major safety concern ) potential fire could have occurred, ultimately this caused me to replaced engine at 126k mi…

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2017 Ford Escape Eco Boost 2.0 Bought used, immediately experienced what everyone else has according to the well documented design flaw in these engines, coolant leaked into cylinder 3. eventually destroyed turbo, ( major safety concern ) potential fire could have occurred, ultimately this caused me to replaced engine at 126k miles which was my best option. Now I need to replace Torque converter/ Transmission. Common issue with Torque converter occurred at 130k miles, locked up, could only drive by going from neutral to Drive while applying gas. Just failed on me and now I'm discovering that the coolant is leaking into the engine I just replaced which was from a 2018 Ford Escape Eco boost. I still owe 8k, exhausted finances, total loss on what to do faced with replacing both the transmission and engine. Haggerty Ford in West Chicago knowingly sold this piece of junk to me.

NHTSA ODI #11693811

47,500 miles · Oct 16, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehi…

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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the engine needed to be replaced due to a coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was repaired, but the small bolt package had not arrived after five days, due to the bolt kit not being available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 47,500.

NHTSA ODI #11693769

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2025
Engine

I just purchased a car with under 45,000 miles and was told by the dealership that it needs a new engine because it is leaking coolant into the engine. This is a known problem with these cars.

NHTSA ODI #11693532

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2025
Engine

My 2017 ford escape has a manufacturer defect. The casting was bad on this particular motor causing coolant intrusion which has been confirmed by an authorized ford mechanic. This is making my vehicle non drivable.

NHTSA ODI #11693527

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2025
Engine

Coolant intrusion causing misfire on cylinder 2 and misfire on startup.

NHTSA ODI #11693220

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2025
Engine

Known issue from Ford with coolant intrusion into cylinder 2 and maybe cylinder. Addressed through TSB 22-2232. Purchased car in February 2024 with 77k on it. Dealer won't repair the issue. Needs a new redesigned engine. Dealer only covers the issue if it's under the original warranty with less than 60k miles. My car now has 131…

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Known issue from Ford with coolant intrusion into cylinder 2 and maybe cylinder. Addressed through TSB 22-2232. Purchased car in February 2024 with 77k on it. Dealer won't repair the issue. Needs a new redesigned engine. Dealer only covers the issue if it's under the original warranty with less than 60k miles. My car now has 131k miles on it.

NHTSA ODI #11692919

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion System

Code for camshaft timing and cylinder 2 misfire. Scoped coils and performed relative compression test. Dead cylinder on number 2. Recommend manual compression test and cylinder leak down test to identify cause of low compression Performed manual compression test and confirmed cylinder has 0 compression. Performed cylinder leak…

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Code for camshaft timing and cylinder 2 misfire. Scoped coils and performed relative compression test. Dead cylinder on number 2. Recommend manual compression test and cylinder leak down test to identify cause of low compression Performed manual compression test and confirmed cylinder has 0 compression. Performed cylinder leak down test. Air coming from crankcase. This indicates an issue with rings, cylinder wall, or piston. Engine will need to be replaced. The coolant leaked into the cylinders, which lead to engine failure.

NHTSA ODI #11692865

134,975 miles · Oct 9, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact’s daughter owns a 2017 Ford Escape. While the contact’s daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated to 17 MPH. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road where a family member was able to tow the vehicle back to the residence. The vehicle had been parked in the dri…

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The contact’s daughter owns a 2017 Ford Escape. While the contact’s daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated to 17 MPH. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road where a family member was able to tow the vehicle back to the residence. The vehicle had been parked in the driveway at the residence and was no longer drivable. A certified mechanic inspected the vehicle at the residence. The mechanic determined that there was coolant leaking into the engine due to faulty cylinder walls, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the repair was not covered under warranty or recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was 134,975.

NHTSA ODI #11692304

Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2025
Engine

Engine coolant leaked into oil, car needs new engine. Research shows that this is a design flaw on Ford and needs to be remedied asap.

NHTSA ODI #11692076

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