The 2017 Ford Escape has 4 safety recalls and 2,704 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (1,585 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints2,704filed by owners
Crashes · fires39 · 15reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths56 · 0reported in complaints
2017 Ford Escape in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
NHTSA recall 26V374000 · Jun 9, 2026 · 18,124 vehicles
Problem: 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."
Risk: A closing window that does not reverse direction as expected can pinch a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Equipment › Electrical › Engine block heater
NHTSA recall 26V011000 · Jan 15, 2026 · 116,672 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Power train › Shift linkage/cable/rod
NHTSA recall 22V413000 · Jun 10, 2022 · 2,925,968 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Components: Power train › Shift linkage/cable/rod; Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)
Electrical system › Software
NHTSA recall 16V617000 · Aug 24, 2016 · 17,985 vehicles
Problem: 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."
Risk: If a window closes on a body part, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Components: Electrical system › Software; Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2017 Ford Escape SUV FWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
19.1%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
2017 Ford Escape SUV AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
18.5%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Escape FWD
26mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
Escape FWD
25mpg combined
City / highway
22 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
Escape FWD
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
Escape FWD FFV FFV
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
Escape AWD
24mpg combined
City / highway
22 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
Escape AWD
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
Power train Automatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Torque converter
396
5
3
5
75,728 mi
Electrical system Ignition › Coil › Spark plugs; Wiring
156
2
1
4
37,129 mi
Unknown or other
153
3
5
4
24,993 mi
Wheels Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
81
0
0
1
43,173 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
72
0
0
0
34,800 mi
Structure Body; Body › Hatchback/liftgate
62
3
0
4
40,000 mi
Steering
49
2
0
2
45,500 mi
Service brakes
45
2
0
4
16,000 mi
Exterior lighting Tail lights; Back up lights
43
0
0
0
72,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
31
6
1
6
14,642 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jul 25, 2026Engine 1. The EcoBoost engine block suffered a severe structural failure caused by a factory manufacturing defect known as internal cylinder block coolant intrusion (as documented in Ford TSB 19-2208). Antifreeze leaks directly past the cylinder wall block grooves into the combustion chambers. This vehicle is currently parked and is fully available for physical inspection upon request at the location provided. 2. The engine suffered a sudden, severe mechanical malfunction while driving, causing an immediate drop in cylinder compression, engine misfires, and a dangerous loss of control and motive power. Driving a vehicle prone to sudden stall or failure creates an extreme hazard on public roads,…
Oct 24, 2026Engine THE ENGINE HASCOOLING INTRUSION TO DO MANUFRATURE DEFECT
Oct 9, 2026Engine While operating the vehicle, the engine experienced a loss of power accompanied by a strong burning oil odor. Inspection revealed engine oil leaking from the camshaft cover assembly and onto the exhaust system, creating a potential fire hazard. Mechanical diagnosis determined that cylinder #4 had lost compression, resulting in excessive blow-by and crankcase pressurization. Due to the engine's turbocharged (forced-induction) design, the increased crankcase pressure contributed to oil leakage from the camshaft cover assembly. The observed failure mode is consistent with Ford TSB 19-2346.
Oct 9, 2026Engine When driving home my usual 5 miles from work, the car gave me a signal that it overheated and I should pull over immediately. This happened one other time during the week. The check engine light came on a few days later. When I brought it into The Ford dealership, they reported that the head gasket had blown, the engine had cracked, and it was leaking coolant into other areas of the car. It also affected several coils. They said it was unsafe to drive and quoted me $10,000 for a new engine and replacement. The car has only 90,000 miles on it, and I bought it used from a reputable dealer only 10 months ago. I have put <5,000 miles on it and kept it in good shape during this time. I was told…
Oct 14, 2026Engine The "check engine light" came on. We brought it to the Ford Dealership for checking. They told us there was coolant intrusion in the engine, and that the car was unsafe to drive and required a new engine. We had only put approximately 6,000 miles on the car after buying it used 2 years prior. We surrendered the car to the dealership and took a payout of only $1,500, for a car that only had 46,000 miles on it. We were told that the engine could go on fire and it was dangerous to drive. We were also told that "coolant intrusion" is a common thing that happens to these engines.
Jul 22, 2026Engine One morning in July 2026, I woke up to turn on my car and the temperature was in the red, white smoke was coming out of it and it has since been non-operable with a recommendation for a engine replacement. I was told this could be related to coolant intrusion and it occurred at just 77,000 miles. I had just had my car at Ford for a multipoint inspection six months prior with no reported problems although Iâm not sure if they tested this specific system. I bought the car from Honolulu Volkswagen in 2022 and I still owe a large loan on it. So far I have had little assistance from Ford or Volkswagen for a resolution. It is unclear if the owner who traded it to VW in 2022 was aware of the…
Oct 9, 2026Engine Vehicle went into limp mode with my teeange daughter driving on the interstate due to the known coolant intrusion issue.
Oct 1, 2026 · 94,000 milesEngine and engine cooling The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle experienced a total loss of motive power without warning lights illuminating. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence, where an independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the engine failed due to coolant intrusion. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,000.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
