VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
2017 Ford Escape
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 2,684 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Ford Escape, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and electrical categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 249 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2021 | 9 | 444 |
| Nov 2021 | 7 | 451 |
| Dec 2021 | 10 | 461 |
| Jan 2022 | 10 | 471 |
| Feb 2022 | 9 | 480 |
| Mar 2022 | 8 | 488 |
| Apr 2022 | 15 | 503 |
| May 2022 | 13 | 516 |
| Jun 2022 | 28 | 544 |
| Jul 2022 | 48 | 592 |
| Aug 2022 | 31 | 623 |
| Sep 2022 | 24 | 647 |
| Oct 2022 | 24 | 671 |
| Nov 2022 | 15 | 686 |
| Dec 2022 | 12 | 698 |
| Jan 2023 | 23 | 721 |
| Feb 2023 | 24 | 745 |
| Mar 2023 | 22 | 767 |
| Apr 2023 | 23 | 790 |
| May 2023 | 23 | 813 |
| Jun 2023 | 31 | 844 |
| Jul 2023 | 43 | 887 |
| Aug 2023 | 45 | 932 |
| Sep 2023 | 39 | 971 |
| Oct 2023 | 47 | 1,018 |
| Nov 2023 | 36 | 1,054 |
| Dec 2023 | 25 | 1,079 |
| Jan 2024 | 37 | 1,116 |
| Feb 2024 | 42 | 1,158 |
| Mar 2024 | 40 | 1,198 |
| Apr 2024 | 44 | 1,242 |
| May 2024 | 61 | 1,303 |
| Jun 2024 | 61 | 1,364 |
| Jul 2024 | 62 | 1,426 |
| Aug 2024 | 85 | 1,511 |
| Sep 2024 | 88 | 1,599 |
| Oct 2024 | 73 | 1,672 |
| Nov 2024 | 66 | 1,738 |
| Dec 2024 | 54 | 1,792 |
| Jan 2025 | 58 | 1,850 |
| Feb 2025 | 41 | 1,891 |
| Mar 2025 | 52 | 1,943 |
| Apr 2025 | 59 | 2,002 |
| May 2025 | 68 | 2,070 |
| Jun 2025 | 67 | 2,137 |
| Jul 2025 | 95 | 2,232 |
| Aug 2025 | 68 | 2,300 |
| Sep 2025 | 45 | 2,345 |
| Oct 2025 | 42 | 2,387 |
| Nov 2025 | 18 | 2,405 |
| Dec 2025 | 32 | 2,437 |
| Jan 2026 | 23 | 2,460 |
| Feb 2026 | 23 | 2,483 |
| Mar 2026 | 22 | 2,505 |
| Apr 2026 | 35 | 2,540 |
| May 2026 | 27 | 2,567 |
| Jun 2026 | 39 | 2,606 |
| Jul 2026 | 39 | 2,645 |
| Aug 2026 | 23 | 2,668 |
| Sep 2026 | 16 | 2,684 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine1,98065.4%
- Powertrain (other)37412.3%
- Electrical1565.2%
- Fuel system943.1%
- Other / unspecified842.8%
- Body & structure622.0%
- Brakes521.7%
- Steering491.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
4 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govEQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL); POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The coolant has been leaking into the cylinders the symptoms were violent shaking, low coolant, white smoke, misfires, and engine light and warning on. My safety and others safety were put at risk because if the motor is not replaced it can become a fire hazard and it could break down on the road endangering mine and others lives. The problem was diagnosed by a ford dealership and cost me $201 to just diagnose where they quoted me $14,000 to replace. It was inspected by the manufacturer (dealership). About 3 weeks ago there was an “Engine Fault Service Now” code on the screen then a couple days later the engine light came on and it was either constant or blinking.
- NHTSA ID
- 11766494
- Incident
- Aug 25, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, a high alert warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road, turned off the vehicle, and waited for fifteen minutes before restarting the vehicle. However, the failure persisted. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic and was diagnosed with cylinder #2 failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 70,293.
- NHTSA ID
- 11766207
- Incident
- Sep 8, 2026
- Mileage
- 70,293 mi
My 2017 Ford Escape starting having issues about a year ago and was losing coolant and then car would read hot. It’s an Ecoboost motor and coolant is leaking into the motor and damaging it. The motor needs replacing and ford knew about this issue but refuses to repair it. I have repaired car 5 times or so trying to fix this but keeps getting worse and now destroyed the engine. It is a known flaw by ford repair and many people but I was not told anything when I bought the car.
- NHTSA ID
- 11765935
- Incident
- Sep 7, 2026
Vehicle Information: Year/Make/Model: 2017 Ford Escape Titanium Engine: 2.0L EcoBoost 4-Cylinder Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Current Mileage: Approximately 118,000 miles Description of the Safety Problem: The vehicle experienced a sudden and severe loss of engine coolant with no external leaks visible on the ground. Diagnostic inspection revealed that engine coolant is intruding internally into the engine cylinders due to a known structural defect in the Ford 2.0L EcoBoost engine block/head gasket design.Prior to diagnosing the failure, the vehicle exhibited rough idling, misfires, and white smoke from the exhaust due to coolant burning in the combustion chambers. Unrelated components, including the ignition coils, were previously replaced in an attempt to correct the misfires before the internal coolant intrusion was identified as the root cause.This defect poses an immediate safety hazard. The internal coolant loss causes the engine to overheat rapidly and threatens to force the vehicle into an abrupt emergency "limp mode" or cause complete, sudden engine failure while driving at highway speeds. This creates a severe risk of a rear-end collision or stranding the vehicle in active traffic without warning. Ford has failed to issue a recall for this systemic powertrain defect, leaving consumers to operate unsafe vehicles or face catastrophic out-of-pocket engine replacement costs.
- NHTSA ID
- 11765862
- Incident
- Sep 4, 2026
It is common knowledge that my particular vehicle has a known engine defect - coolant intrusion - that in effect renders the engine inoperable eventually in models from 2013-19. Mine is a 2017. It was sold to me without anyone referencing the known engine issue. Over the last couple of years, my family was nearly stranded when the car suddenly began to experience shuddering, very rough driving, coolant disappearing and having to be replenished, and the engine coils misfiring and having to be replaced. Now, the engine has failed and is in need of more than $4,000 in repairs. While Ford did not issue a recall, it did alert its dealerships to the known manufacturing defect. As a consumer, I was NOT told of this problem during the sale.
- NHTSA ID
- 11765853
- Incident
- Sep 4, 2026
well known problem with ford 2,0 Eco boost engines. mine is 2017 escape 2.0 Eco boost. radiator loosing fluid, pep boys checked it and said it was a cracked head gasket and would cost about 5,000.00 to fix.looked up info about this engine and found it is a well known problem and Ford will not fix it.said to call NHTSA and report it and hope you have Ford do a recall to replace engine.
- NHTSA ID
- 11765473
- Incident
- Sep 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Service Engine Soon" warning light illuminated on the instrument cluster. On a separate occasion, the vehicle shut off unexpectedly while driving but was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer for a diagnostic test associated with the warning light; however, the technicians only replaced external sensors. The warning light remained illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance.
- NHTSA ID
- 11764765
- Incident
- Sep 16, 2026
My vehicle has been giving me warning messages at complete stop at red light, stop sign or even park. Engine turns off and the message pop ups as auto startstop manual restart required put on p shift position restart engine manually. Im scared this will happen while driving. Vehicle completes shuts off in the middle.of intersection.
- NHTSA ID
- 11764557
- Incident
- Sep 15, 2026
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Harvest Program 25H05 – Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software Verification Harvest Program
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns Phone connection issues Dropped phone connections Applink related performance Travel Link not present or showing incorrect traffic Slow system response NOTE: Ford has found some of the APIMs replaced and returned for inspection contained an outdated software level and the APIM did not require replacement. The customer concern may have been resolved by updating the APIM with latest level of software. The SYNC 3 universal thumb drive will be able to update the APIM software without the use of a scan tool and does not require the process to be monitored. Ford will be monitoring APIM replacements to confirm TSB directed software updates have been performed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.
This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018 Continental/Fusion/MKZ, 2017-2019 Explorer, 2016-2019 Escape/MKC/Flex/MKT/Taurus/Transit/Expedition/F-Super Duty, and 2018-2019 EcoSport vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience various SYNC performance related concerns. related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns Phone connection issues Dropped phone connections Applink related performance Travel Link not present or showing incorrect traffic Slow system response This may be due to the SYNC software. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software. NOTE: Ford has found some of the APIMs replaced and returned for inspection contained an outdated software level and the APIM did not require replacement. The customer concern may have been resolved by updating the APIM with latest level of software.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 24 | 9 | 0 | 53.3 |
| 2024 | 76 | 8 | 0 | 62.6 |
| 2023 | 98 | 11 | 0 | 60.4 |
| 2022 | 231 | 19 | 2 | 68.1 |
| 2021 | 346 | 19 | 2 | 67.7 |
| 2020 | 1,600 | 23 | 2 | 63.1 |
| 2019 | 587 | 3 | 0 | 59.3 |
| 2018 | 1,797 | 4 | 0 | 59.8 |
| 2017Viewing | 2,684 | 4 | 0 | 58.1 |
| 2016 | 1,123 | 4 | 0 | 61.4 |
| 2015 | 1,100 | 9 | 2 | 68.1 |
| 2014 | 2,084 | 16 | 2 | 64.6 |
| 2013 | 2,749 | 18 | 3 | 61.4 |
| 2012 | 599 | 2 | 2 | 54.7 |
| 2011 | 1,316 | 3 | 4 | 56.2 |
| 2010 | 2,069 | 5 | 4 | 56.0 |
| 2009 | 1,693 | 3 | 3 | 55.2 |
| 2008 | 1,974 | 5 | 3 | 58.2 |
| 2007 | 254 | 4 | 2 | 54.8 |
| 2006 | 464 | 5 | 1 | 53.9 |
| 2005 | 1,394 | 5 | 2 | 55.3 |
| 2004 | 499 | 8 | 6 | 61.8 |
| 2003 | 558 | 9 | 8 | 65.2 |
| 2002 | 1,027 | 10 | 10 | 67.3 |
| 2001 | 996 | 15 | 11 | 66.3 |
| 2000 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.