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2017 Ford Escape: problems, recalls and reliability

4 recalls and 2,658 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (52% of complaints); the 2015 and 2016 and 2019 model years look more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · 55 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Jun 2026

4
recalls
2,658
owner complaints
15
fire reports
70,764
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★★Front ★★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★
5-star NHTSA overall safety ratingOne of the most complained-about Escape years (#2 of 26, age-adjusted)Weak spot: engine (52%)15 fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 2,658 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Engine (engine mechanics)52% · 1,327 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)18% · 446 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)12% · 304 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)4% · 94 complaints
Wheels (wheels, lug nuts, bearings)3% · 70 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)2% · 54 complaints
I got coolant into 1 of cylinders due to a faulty long block on my 17 Ford escape 2.0l . This is known to b a common issue on the 1.5 1.6 2.0 l ecoboost engine. Ford refuses to do anything even though they know its a design flawOwner report · Engine · Aug 2026
The customer may notice coolant spots on the driveway or garage floor, a loss of cabin heat, powertrain unit overheating, or a warning indicator for a low coolant level. Additionally, the condition can cause heat damage to the block heater electrical wiring and connector and the customer may notice an odor or smoke Matching Recall 26V011 my car is a 2017 Ford Escape 2.0 that was manufactured in Louisville KYOwner report · Engine · Aug 2026
Transmission failed/malfunctioned. Available for inspection. Safety at risk due to driving on busy road when transmission failed and car wouldn't move. Transmission recall for VIN [XXX] Vehicle component has not been inspected. No warning of any kind prior to failure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
The water pump went Back and had to be replaced, because it was leaking coolant into the engine. Also there is coolant infusion into the cylinders. This is a known problem that Ford knew about. My car has 131000 miles and is out of warranty. The car car needs to have the engine replaced.Owner report · Engine · Jul 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a failure in cylinder #3. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in cylinder #3. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,200.Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2026
Coolant leaking into cylinder confirmed by independent mechanic. Unable to clear code P0303. This is a documented problem with this make model with eco-boost engines but Ford claims my car is not included in recall although i do have the eco-boost and make model and year. Need complete engine replace. This is a major engine design problemOwner report · Engine · Jul 2026
Intermittent Misfire of cylinder 1, service engine light is on, coolant level goes low very fast and needs to be added often. white smoke from exhaust.Owner report · Engine · Jul 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20-25 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering and lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated and flashing. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined that there was no compression in cylinder #2. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.Owner report · Engine · Jul 2026
Ford has known of a coolant intrusion problem and even issued an extended 7 yr/84k mile warranty for this issue. The car has no issues during that time. I now have to replace the engine on a 9 year old car with only 80k miles on it. Cars engines should last more than 9 years. Ford told me that an engine replacement at 9 years could happen to anyone. There are hundred of complaints online about this known issue. If the engine were to go out on a busy road, it could easily cause an accident.Owner report · Engine · Jul 2026
2017 Ford Escape SE. 77,000 miles. Blown head gasket due to coolant leak that ford was aware of in letter TSV19-2139 but no recall. Cylinder 2 misfire code even after tune up. Today catastrophic overheating with no warning and car went into limp mode at the intersection of Hull Street and Southshore Dr. Midlothian Va 23112. I reached out to local ford dealer and to Ford Consumer affairs but they are unwilling to repair though there was a a courtesy notice posted that the repair would be free if less than 7 years or under 84,000 miles which my vehicle is. I have joined a class action law suit regarding Fords knowledge of the problem in 2019 and their lack of a preventive recall.Owner report · Engine · Jul 2026

When filing, owners marked a crash in 39 of these complaints and injuries in 56 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 4 campaigns

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS26V374000 · Jun 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."

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.

POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD22V413000 · Jun 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.

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.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER26V011000 · Jan 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.

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.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS16V617000 · Aug 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."

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.

Trouble codes owners mention

OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.

How other years compare

Check your exact Escape by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Ford Escape reliable?

NHTSA has 2,658 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2017 Ford Escape. The most complained-about area is engine (52% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2017 Ford Escape problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,764 miles or less.

Does the 2017 Ford Escape have open recalls?

4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning visibility:power window devices and controls. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.