2017 Ford Escape Driver assistance Problems

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID

11752058

Incident

May 5, 2026

NHTSA Complaint SummaryVehicle: 2017 Ford Escape SEEngine: 1.5L EcoBoostVIN: [XXX] Defect: Engine Block Design Flaw / Coolant IntrusionTechnical Description of the Issue:My vehicle is experiencing a well-documented manufacturing defect specific to the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. The engine block was designed with a "v-groove" between the cylinders that is prone to structural failure. This allows engine coolant to leak into the combustion chambers (coolant intrusion) and allows engine oil to contaminate the cooling system. My vehicle currently exhibits "milky," tan-brown sludge in the coolant reservoir, confirming that oil and coolant are cross-contaminating due to internal engine failure.Extreme Safety Hazards and Dangers:This defect creates several critical safety risks for the driver, passengers, and other motorists:Sudden Loss of Power at High Speeds: The mixing of oil and coolant destroys the engine’s ability to lubricate internal bearings. This can lead to a catastrophic engine seizure while the vehicle is in motion, causing an immediate loss of power and power steering, which creates a high risk of collisions on highways.Engine Fire Risk: When coolant enters the combustion chamber, it can cause severe engine misfires and overheating. Overheated oil or pressurized coolant spraying onto a hot exhaust manifold during a mechanical failure presents a significant fire hazard.Hydro-locking: If coolant floods the cylinder while the vehicle is in operation, the engine can hydro-lock, causing the engine to stall instantly and potentially throwing metal debris onto the roadway, endangering other drivers.Visibility Hazards: Excessive white smoke from the exhaust (caused by burning coolant) can suddenly obscure the driver’s rear-view visibility and the visibility of trailing motorists.Conclusion:Ford Motor Company was aware of this defect, as evidenced by Customer Satisfaction Program 21N08 and TSB 19-2346. However, because these programs have arbitrary expira INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (

NHTSA ID

11735289

Incident

May 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon attempting to reverse, the back over prevention camera screen display failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the message "Rear-view Camera Not Available" was displayed; however, there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11671149

Incident

Oct 12, 2022

Mileage

160,000 mi

Coolant is leaking into the cylinders, causing misfire. Per this document that you guys posted: "Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12", this is a known manufacturing defect in the engines that are in the model of car that I am driving currently. This is a safety issue and an environmental issue. Coolant gets into the cylinders and burns, emitting into the atmosphere. But the coolant also runs low, and the engine could overheat or catch on fire. The mechanic is estimating currently that the repairs to either change the head gasket or take the engine apart and rebuild it will cost around 7-9k, money we don't have. Ford should fix this manufacturing defect at not cost to us, as their CSP 21n12 document states. The only caveat is that the car has 98k miles on it while the cutoff for these repairs ends at 84k miles.

NHTSA ID

11663798

Incident

May 25, 2025

I was driving on I 95 and my check engine light came on, then the transmission light came on followed by No hill assist light.As I was driving home all of a sudden without warning my SUV dropped to 10 miles an hour while driving at at speed of 55 miles per hour.. For safety reasons I pulled over on to the shoulder, shut the SUV off a waited , and then I restarted the engine. The same lights came on and again I couldn't drive over 10 miles an hour. After sitting for over 5 months waiting for a recall because Ford said that's the only way they will fix the problem. I hired someone to look at my SUV, I called the Ford Hotline and asked if there was a recall, Because I remember 2 months before it broke down someone came out to my home to fix the bushings that were also being recalled. I was told no , but was advised to wait to see if there would be a recall. Within the last 2 weeks I asked a mechanic to look at my SUV, I was told the issue is an electrical problem, something about control module/ that caused the computer system to fail. The compute is telling the SUV that it's in park., that's why the SUV went into limp mode and won't go over 10 miles per Hours the problem has been determined by a mechanic .

NHTSA ID

11655650

Incident

Nov 15, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was slow to accelerate. There was white smoke coming from the exhaust, with the check engine warning light illuminated and flashing on and off. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was a crack in cylinders #3 and #4. The dealer recommended that the engine be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

NHTSA ID

11650869

Incident

Mar 14, 2025

Mileage

136,000 mi

My son was driving this car home from school and while going through a busy street, the car suddenly buckled and stalled and he was almost t-boned. Thankfully he was not hit. We later found out that this vehicle was assembled in a plant that has a known line issue with their engine blocks. This issue caused one of the cylinders to crack and fluid to leak in causing the issue that almost caused the accident. We were made aware that this is a known issue by our service person. Ford is aware of it as they have issued CSPs and TSPs regarding the issue but have yet to issue a recall and will not cover repair costs or offer to fix vehicles before they have the issue. Ford should have a safety recall to prevent possible accidents as these vehicles age and the problem occurs more regularly.

NHTSA ID

11611237

Incident

Aug 23, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The contact stated that the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while accelerating and occasionally surged forward while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11594725

Incident

Mar 17, 2024

Mileage

60,000 mi

2017 Ford Escape SE 4WD with a 4 CLYINDER D 1.5 DI TURBO engine. We purchased this vehicle used, in 2019 with 42,384 miles. We have kept up with all scheduled maintenance through the dealership. Until April of this year, we have had ZERO issues with this vehicle! First, the check engine light came on Upon starting, another warning "Engine Fault Service Now" would appear. Aside from the lights, the only initial indication something may be off was the "sloshing" noise that came from the engine after shutting it off. Initially, we took the car to our independent mechanic who informed us that the car was experiencing coolant intrusion into the engine and the only remedy would be to replace the engine. He shared with us that this type of engine is NOTORIOUS for this malfunction. Being as Darling's could not give us an appointment promptly, , we just kept checking the coolant levels and cautiously drove the vehicle. On May 3, I was driving when the dash lit up with "High Engine Temperature-stop safely" warnings and the gauge went from normal to all the way to H. We added coolant and this did not happen again. However, between May 3 and the date of our appointment at the dealership, May 17th, a host of new problems seemed to happen overnight. The car would not start several times both after being driven and sitting overnight. While backing down my driveway, the car stalled and wouldn't start again, luckily I wasn't in traffic. Right before our appointment and the final straw was when I was leaving for work. The car wouldn't start, so I left it for a few minutes and I was able to restart it. I drove down the street maybe a block away when all this white smoke filled the inside of the car along with pouring out the back exhaust. Darling's stated it "coded P0304, for a misfire on 4, coolant was entering cylinder 4, needs a motor". Cost to fix is more than what the car is worth and we still owe $4000 on it. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL?

NHTSA ID

11590281

Incident

Apr 18, 2024

Engine check engine came on and found coolant low, refilled, and 2 weeks later coolant low again. I suspected coolant leaking into the engine since no coolant on the ground. Dealership confirmed this and said new engine block is required. It is a 2017 Escape with only 33,000 miles now. It is ridiculous that Ford knowingly went into production with this bad engine design which they redesigned later. I found out that there was a TSB to replace the engine block. Ford knows the engine is an issue and only fixed some of the vehicles as the issue happens. However, my SUV has no warranty and I was told engine replacement is not covered. This poses a risk to my daughter with the possibility of engine fire if coolant burns out, not to mention hesitation at lights while turning that can cause an accident. SUV is available for your inspection. I feel Ford issued a TSB to prevent a recall so they do not have to address problem with all the vehicle. NHTSA should force this recall or force Ford to expand TSB to all affected vehicles with no limit. Communication with Ford Dealership and Ford Customer Relations is available.

NHTSA ID

11571512

Incident

Sep 15, 2023

while driving the steering sweerves to the right doesn't do it all the time

NHTSA ID

11557856

Incident

Nov 30, 2023

While driving sometimes even the speed is below 40mph pushing the accelerator will not accelerate the vehicle making a loud engine noise for 4-5 minutes deaccelerating the vehicle. And again, working fine. It happens random and had happened 5-10 times after I purchased the vehicle in 2020. The frequency of the problem is random.

NHTSA ID

11534726

Incident

Feb 21, 2023

I was on the highway doing 70+ and my car overheated and shut off. When i turned it back on the engine light was on and it was shaking like crazy. I took it to the dealership and they told me that it is a known prob and it has a coolant leak into the engine. I can see online that this is happening to thousands of people and ford is refusing to fix it. I could be dead right now. They’ve known about this problem for years but will not replace my engine.

NHTSA ID

11532058

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

Was drive the car to a shop after getting a transmission fault service now code the car would not move and broke down in the middle of the road on a busy road shit car off it drove for two minutes and shut off again had no power to get to side of the road had to pay over $100.00 for a tow bill and still at the shop with no answers

NHTSA ID

11512104

Incident

Feb 3, 2023

All of a sudden my transmission service fault light has came on, my escape won’t shift into gear, and when it is in park it won’t go into drive it any other gear without you forcing it. I have called farina, Effingham, Salem, Centralia, Newton and none of them can get my car in for a month. I am now without a vehicle and I’m needing something done.

NHTSA ID

11476225

Incident

Jul 26, 2022

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while reversing, the rearview camera image was blurry with a warning message indicating that the rearview camera was not functioning properly. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no open recall associated to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

NHTSA ID

11459229

Incident

Feb 1, 2022

Mileage

68,000 mi

Had car in for 4 spark plugs replaced and one ignition coil replaced. After leaving mechanic, the car suddenly slowed down, dashboard screen came on with "High Engine Temperatures pull over safely and call your Ford dealer", and the check engine light came on. The car would not go over 10 miles an hour. I limped back to the mechanic. He could not find a problem, the scanner they use under the dash came back with several readings. None had anything to do with the spark plugs or ignition coil. He kept it for several hours, researching, then unplugged the battery for a while. Plugged it back up, then nothing wrong. He called me, I picked the car up and drove about 1.5 to 2 miles and same thing happened. the car suddenly slowed down, dashboard screen came on with "High Engine Temperatures pull over safely and call your Ford dealer", and the check engine light came on. The car would not go over 10 miles an hour. I limped back to my house. Had the car towed to a Ford dealership. They held it for 6 calendar days then ran a diagnostic on the car. It came back with sealant broke, coolant leaked into engine. I need a new engine. I am under the understanding this issue of coolant into engine was fixed back in 2020, with Ford's the Customer Satisfaction Program # 19B37. OF which I participated, but apparently, according to the Customer Satisfaction Program Customer Service person, the is nothing that can be done about it now. According to several Technical Service Bulletins and SSM bulletins, Ford has known about this issue for a while now. According to VehiclesHistory.com, NHTSA has a class action lawsuit concerning "coolant into the engine" against Ford. So here is one more complaint.

NHTSA ID

11450985

Incident

Feb 1, 2022

EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE THE SYNC3 SYSTEM AND INFOMAT FAILS. I LOSE NAV, BACK UP CAMERA, CLIMATE CONTROL, RADIO, AND HANDSFREE PHONE CONTROL. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID APIM NEEDED REPLACEMENT. CALLED USUAL MECHANIC WHO SAY A RECALL FOR APIM ON OLDER MODELS AND ALLOT OF REPLACEMENT ON MY YEAR OF ESCAPE. HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE IN DECEMBER

NHTSA ID

11405005

Incident

Mar 26, 2021

Mileage

44,130 mi

1. HANDS FREE TAILGATE/TRUNK WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHUT WHEN OBJECTS OR A PERSONS BODY IS PRESENT. FAUB/ KEYS ARE NOT BEING PUSHED BY ACCIDENT, NOR IS THERE ANY MOVEMENT UNDER NUMBER THAT WOULD SENSOR DOOR TO CLOSE. WHEN IT DOES DO THIS, IT TAKES QUITE A WHILE FOR THE SENSOR TO REALIZE THERE IS AN OBJECT THERE AND TAKES SOME TIME TO OPEN AGAIN. 2. WHEN VEHICLE SLIPS ON ICE PATCES OR LARGE PUDDLES OF WATER--- WHEN THE TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON MY DASH BOARD, IT SEEMS TO TRIGGER MY ENTIRE VEHICLE TO SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN. VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, BRAKES STOP WORKING AND NO ELECTRICAL FROM THAT POINT ON. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN 3 TIMES NOW, WITH THE NEED TO HAVE TO CALL A TOW. FOR BOTH COMPLAINTS, FORD SERVICE SAYS THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND CANNOT GET EITHER COMPLAINT TO DUPLICATE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE AT THIS POINT BY FORD TO FIX OR COMPENSATE FOR ANY OF THIS.

NHTSA ID

11366350

Incident

Jun 3, 2020

Mileage

18,500 mi

THE BACKUP CAMERA WILL OCCASIONALLY GO DARK OR BLACK AND WHITE. I HAVE TRIED TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY. IT IS CLEAN AND FREE OF WATER AND DIRT

NHTSA ID

11361974

Incident

Aug 5, 2020

Mileage

34,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A PARKING POLE. AS A RESULT, THE POLE DETACHED, MOVED 11 MILLIMETERS AND FELL ON TOP OF ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED. DURING THE INCIDENT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ID

11342515

Incident

Mar 1, 2020

Mileage

36,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER GRAND-DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND DECELERATED TO 8 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT WHO ERASED SEVERAL UNKNOWN DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES. THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED AFTER THE CODES WERE ERASED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ERASING THE CODES WOULD NOT PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM RECURRING. ZECK FORD (4501 S 4TH ST, LEAVENWORTH, KS 66048, (913) 727-1650) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 64,000.

NHTSA ID

11337835

Incident

Jul 3, 2020

Mileage

64,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND CEASED IN THE DEPRESSED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GLENWOOD SPRINGS FORD (55 STORM KING RD, GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO 81601) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MECHANISM AND BINDING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,312.

NHTSA ID

11322751

Incident

Mar 27, 2020

Mileage

74,312 mi

THE CAR WILL TURN OFF WHEN STOPPED (EX. AT A LIGHT) AND A MESSAGE COMES UP SAYING "AUTO STARTSTOP SHIFT TO P RESTART ENGINE". I DO THIS AND IT RESTARTS WITHOUT ISSUE. THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AND AT VARIOUS TIMES. EX. ONCE IN MORNING COLD WEATHER, ONCE IN AFTERNOON IN MILD/WARM WEATHER. I BOUGHT CAR NEW AND THIS HAS ONLY STARTED HAPPENING NOW (3 YEARS AFTER CAR WAS BOUGHT).

NHTSA ID

11322069

Incident

Mar 5, 2020

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND AND THEN SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2016. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BARBER FORD OF HAZLETON (1112 N CHURCH ST, HAZLETON, PA 18202) AT LEAST SIX TIMES, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS 24051505. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,642.

NHTSA ID

11292241

Incident

Dec 30, 2019

Mileage

14,642 mi