NHTSA has 2,700 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Ford Escape, received from 2016 to 2026. The most-reported system is engine (1,993 complaints, 74%), followed by power train (391) and electrical system (156). Owners reported 39 crashes, 15 fires, 56 injuries and 0 deaths. Median mileage at failure: 70,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 2024, with 713 received that year. 4 safety recalls cover this model year.
2,700NHTSA complaints
4safety recalls
39crashes reported
15fires reported
56injuries
0deaths
Quick answers
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Ford Escape?
Owners report engine problems most often: 1,993 of 2,700 NHTSA complaints (74%), followed by power train (391) and electrical system (156).
How many recalls does the 2017 Ford Escape have?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2017 Ford Escape. The most recent is 26V374000 (visibility and wipers, 2026-06-09).
At what mileage do 2017 Ford Escape problems happen?
The median mileage at failure is 70,000 miles, across 1,158 complaints that reported mileage.
Have owners reported crashes or fires in the 2017 Ford Escape?
Yes. Owners reported 39 crashes, 15 fires, 56 injuries and 0 deaths in NHTSA complaints.
Problems by system
System
Complaints
Share
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Median miles
Engine
1,993
74%
7
10
5
76,850
Power train
391
14%
5
3
5
75,456
Electrical system
156
6%
2
1
4
37,129
Unknown or other
155
6%
3
5
4
24,993
Fuel system
94
3%
0
0
0
70,000
Wheels
76
3%
0
0
1
43,173
Structure
62
2%
3
0
4
40,000
Service brakes
49
2%
2
0
4
17,000
Steering
49
2%
2
0
2
45,500
Exterior lighting
40
1%
0
0
0
62,000
Speed control
31
1%
6
1
6
14,642
Air bags
21
1%
17
1
26
47,634
Visibility and wipers
15
1%
0
0
1
56,000
Seat belts
14
1%
3
0
6
33,000
Latches, locks and linkages
8
<1%
0
0
0
43,000
Suspension
8
<1%
1
0
1
34,000
Electronic stability control
7
<1%
0
0
1
26,500
Tires
6
<1%
0
0
0
18,000
Backover prevention
5
<1%
0
0
0
56,065
Equipment
5
<1%
0
0
0
121,379
Seats
4
<1%
0
0
0
110,000
Lane departure
3
<1%
0
0
0
–
Carry handle
2
<1%
0
0
0
–
Fire related
2
<1%
0
2
0
76,000
Hybrid propulsion
1
<1%
0
0
0
104,000
Parking brake
1
<1%
0
0
0
–
Traction control
1
<1%
0
0
0
–
A complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Defect: 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.
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.
Defect: 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.
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…
Defect: 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.
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.
Defect: 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.
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.
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…
Engine · NHTSA complaint 11771788, received 2026-10-17
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.…
Engine · NHTSA complaint 11771768, received 2026-10-16
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while exiting the vehicle, the vehicle started rolling backwards while shifted to park(P). The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train); however, the recall repair was previously performed in 2024. The…
Power train · NHTSA complaint 11766714, received 2026-09-24
Vehicle just hit 70k miles, started abruptly shaking between 30 and 50 mph. Torque converter is needing replaced. PCV hose has cracked and needs replaced. COOLANT DISAPPEARING DUE TO INTRUSION LEAK. Extremely costly repairs for a vehicle that isn't even close to 100k miles. Engine overheating on…
Power train · NHTSA complaint 11760923, received 2026-08-31
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…
Electrical system · NHTSA complaint 11764765, received 2026-09-16
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the service center for an instrument panel failure, a diagnostic test was performed on the engine. The contact was informed that in addition to the instrument panel failure, there was coolant inside the…
Electrical system · NHTSA complaint 11763703, received 2026-09-11
Built from the NHTSA complaints flat file and the NHTSA recalls flat files, data as of 2026-10-22. Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models collect more of them.