NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
2,677 reportsMileage unknown · Mar 5, 2025
Engine
This is an issue in general. I caught issue early on, but am now out a car. Engine has a known defect by Ford Motor Company that they refuse to recall. They have acknowledged this defect, but only slightly extended the warranty to fix issue. Any cars with this engine design will eventually fail. It is "When" not "If". This …
Read full complaint
This is an issue in general. I caught issue early on, but am now out a car. Engine has a known defect by Ford Motor Company that they refuse to recall. They have acknowledged this defect, but only slightly extended the warranty to fix issue. Any cars with this engine design will eventually fail. It is "When" not "If". This defect lead to coolant intrusion into engine's cylinders. If not corrected, car continues to burn more and more antifreeze, which will lead to catastrophic engine failure while driving, potentially in a high speed situation where others cannot react in time to avoid collision, or potentially during a turn where driver would be left in an intersection. Once intrusion begins, the car is basically not drive-able by the owner, but many people, having invested thousands into their new vehicle, cannot afford another $10k repair to fix the issue, nor can they afford a new car. Therefore they will continue to drive it until enough damage is done that the engine fails. Additionally, if this issue is unnoticed by driver or owner, engine could also overheat, leading to catastrophic engine failure or potentially fire within the engine bay.
NHTSA ODI #11646591
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2025
Engine
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to start the vehicle. The failure had gotten progressively worse over time. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed an…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to start the vehicle. The failure had gotten progressively worse over time. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that there were no recalls on the VIN for the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA ODI #11646460
120,000 miles · Mar 4, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and then to a dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine, causing engine f…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and then to a dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that the engine had overheated weeks before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the water pump was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #11646315
86,741 miles · Mar 3, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the "Engine Overheating Shut Down" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle remained at the residence. A dealer was contacted, and the dealer made the contact aware of an undiscl…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the "Engine Overheating Shut Down" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle remained at the residence. A dealer was contacted, and the dealer made the contact aware of an undisclosed recall; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,741.
NHTSA ODI #11645946
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2025
Engine
Design defect that allows coolant to leak into the cylinders and cause engine failure.
NHTSA ODI #11645765
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2025
Engine
My check engine light came on (again) on my Escape (less than 80,000 miles). The cause appears to be coolant intrusion which I found can lead to engine failure, engine damage, misfires, corrosion and even potential fires. I understand this is a design flaw that well-known by Ford.
NHTSA ODI #11645701
87,000 miles · Feb 28, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the engine fault warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to Technical Service Bulletin: 19-2375 or 20-2100. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the engine fault warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to Technical Service Bulletin: 19-2375 or 20-2100. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was a coolant leak in the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
NHTSA ODI #11645619
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2025
Engine
Vehicle was quoted a 7400 dollar engine repair for a coolant intrusion issues from a defect in the engine block. The dealership stated that the engine could fail if the engine wasn’t replaced in ample time
NHTSA ODI #11645618
124,000 miles · Feb 28, 2025
Engine
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and lost motive power. In addition, while attempting to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to r…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and lost motive power. In addition, while attempting to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The check engine warning light and TPMS warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the oil, causing the engine to fail. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the residence and had not been driven since the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
NHTSA ODI #11645515
39,000 miles · Feb 27, 2025
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound emanating from the engine compartment, prompting the to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure wit…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound emanating from the engine compartment, prompting the to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the head gasket, resulting in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 39,000.
NHTSA ODI #11645358
Official recalls
4Jun 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.
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.
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.
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 ↗