2017 Ford Escape Problems: Engine (2,685 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2017 Ford Escape is Engine (65% of 2,685 owner reports). There are 4 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Engine — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-10-15 2,685 complaints · 4 recalls

What problems show up on the 2017 Ford Escape?

1,732 of 2,685 filings named Engine (65% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Transmission / driveline (329 reports).

There are 4 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Electrical, Transmission / driveline, and Glass / wipers / cameras. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2016 has 1,143 reports on file; this year has 2,685. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2017 Ford Escape

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 4 campaigns on file below.
  2. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  3. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  4. Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Engine. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Engine 1,732 complaints · 64.5% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 39
  • Fires 15
  • Injuries 56
  • Deaths 0
All Ford Escape years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-14 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Engine (ENGINE) appears in 1,732 of 2,685 owner complaints (64.5%) in this vehicle snapshot. Engine (ENGINE): 1,732 complaints, 64.5% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 3 crash reports 5 fire reports 1,732 · 64.5% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 329 complaints, 12.3% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 4 crash reports 1 fire reports 329 · 12.3% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 82 complaints, 3.1% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 2 crash reports 82 · 3.1% Wheels (WHEELS): 71 complaints, 2.6% of reports Wheels (WHEELS) 71 · 2.6% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 63 complaints, 2.4% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 63 · 2.4% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 50 complaints, 1.9% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 50 · 1.9% Steering (STEERING): 41 complaints, 1.5% of reports Steering (STEERING) 2 crash reports 41 · 1.5% Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 36 complaints, 1.3% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 36 · 1.3% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 35 complaints, 1.3% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 2 crash reports 35 · 1.3% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 309 complaints, 11.5% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 4 crash reports 7 fire reports 309 · 11.5% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Engine (ENGINE) 1,732 64.5% 3 crashes · 5 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 329 12.3% 4 crashes · 1 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 82 3.1% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Wheels (WHEELS) 71 2.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 63 2.4% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 50 1.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING) 41 1.5% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 36 1.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 35 1.3% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 309 11.5% 4 crashes · 7 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-10-15 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Oct 2016; the first recall shown was reported in Aug 2016. 2016-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2017-Q1: 12 owner reports 12 2017-Q2: 12 owner reports 12 2017-Q3: 12 owner reports 12 2017-Q4: 14 owner reports 14 2018-Q1: 16 owner reports 16 2018-Q2: 12 owner reports 12 2018-Q3: 9 owner reports 9 2018-Q4: 20 owner reports 20 2019-Q1: 26 owner reports 26 2019-Q2: 23 owner reports 23 2019-Q3: 26 owner reports 26 2019-Q4: 37 owner reports 37 2020-Q1: 31 owner reports 31 2020-Q2: 26 owner reports 26 2020-Q3: 30 owner reports 30 2020-Q4: 36 owner reports 36 2021-Q1: 30 owner reports 30 2021-Q2: 36 owner reports 36 2021-Q3: 24 owner reports 24 2021-Q4: 26 owner reports 26 2022-Q1: 27 owner reports 27 2022-Q2: 56 owner reports 56 2022-Q3: 103 owner reports 103 2022-Q4: 51 owner reports 51 2023-Q1: 68 owner reports 68 2023-Q2: 77 owner reports 77 2023-Q3: 127 owner reports 127 2023-Q4: 106 owner reports 106 2024-Q1: 119 owner reports 119 2024-Q2: 165 owner reports 165 2024-Q3: 235 owner reports 235 2024-Q4: 192 owner reports 192 2025-Q1: 151 owner reports 151 2025-Q2: 194 owner reports 194 2025-Q3: 206 owner reports 206 2025-Q4: 92 owner reports 92 2026-Q1: 68 owner reports 68 2026-Q2: 101 owner reports 101 2026-Q3: 83 owner reports 83 2026-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 Owner reports Aug 2016 Oct 2026 Recall campaign 16V617000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V617000 Recall campaign 22V413000 ◆ Recall campaign 22V413000 Recall campaign 26V011000 ◆ Recall campaign 26V011000 Recall campaign 26V374000 ◆ Recall campaign 26V374000
  • Campaign 22V413000 was reported 1,968 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 26V011000 was reported 3,384 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 26V374000 was reported 3,391 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2016-Q4 Owner reports 2
2017-Q1 Owner reports 12
2017-Q2 Owner reports 12
2017-Q3 Owner reports 12
2017-Q4 Owner reports 14
2018-Q1 Owner reports 16
2018-Q2 Owner reports 12
2018-Q3 Owner reports 9
2018-Q4 Owner reports 20
2019-Q1 Owner reports 26
2019-Q2 Owner reports 23
2019-Q3 Owner reports 26
2019-Q4 Owner reports 37
2020-Q1 Owner reports 31
2020-Q2 Owner reports 26
2020-Q3 Owner reports 30
2020-Q4 Owner reports 36
2021-Q1 Owner reports 30
2021-Q2 Owner reports 36
2021-Q3 Owner reports 24
2021-Q4 Owner reports 26
2022-Q1 Owner reports 27
2022-Q2 Owner reports 56
2022-Q3 Owner reports 103
2022-Q4 Owner reports 51
2023-Q1 Owner reports 68
2023-Q2 Owner reports 77
2023-Q3 Owner reports 127
2023-Q4 Owner reports 106
2024-Q1 Owner reports 119
2024-Q2 Owner reports 165
2024-Q3 Owner reports 235
2024-Q4 Owner reports 192
2025-Q1 Owner reports 151
2025-Q2 Owner reports 194
2025-Q3 Owner reports 206
2025-Q4 Owner reports 92
2026-Q1 Owner reports 68
2026-Q2 Owner reports 101
2026-Q3 Owner reports 83
2026-Q4 Owner reports 4
Recall campaign 1 16V617000
Recall campaign 1 22V413000
Recall campaign 1 26V011000
Recall campaign 1 26V374000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-10-15 Open source record

Safety Recalls (4)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Electrical, Transmission / driveline, and Glass / wipers / cameras.

  1. Recall campaign 16V617000

    Electrical

    Report date
    Component:
    Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 22V413000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 26V011000

    Safety recall 26V011000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    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 became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 26V374000

    Glass / wipers / cameras

    Report date
    Component:
    Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-14 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-10-14
Safety incident filters
Showing 3 of 2,685 complaints · page 1 of 108
2026-10-06Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11769316
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Our Escape has had the head gasket replaced twice (6/2023 & 8/2024) and now needs the engine completely replaced. We have paid almost $8,000 out of pocket for the 2 fixes and now have been given an estimate of $10k for a new engine. In all three cases we have had the engine light turn on, the warning "High Engine Temperature. Stop Safely" appear and a dramatic decrease in coolant (which we have to fill daily). We are now stuck with a car that isn’t safe/fit to drive and in need of purchasing another car (more money out of pocket). Apparently there is a known issue with this engine via the TSB 22-2229 document. We are asking for financial assistance with our out of pocket expenses (both what we have paid and now a new engine). We own 2 other Fords, an F-150 & Explorer. We love these cars which is why we chose to purchase another Ford for our kids. We would like to continue to purchase Fords, but would like to know you as a company take care of your clients. Thank you in advance for your help. Additional info: 6/2023 1st Headgasket replacement. 97k miles - Elizabeth, CO 8/2024 2nd Headgasket replacement @110k miles - Marysville, WA 10/2026 new engine estimate 131k miles - LaCrosse, WI
2026-10-05Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11769069
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Dealership service department just called to inform me that my car is showing signs of the coolant intrusion issue that is known by ford for my 2017 ford escape titanium and that i should probably not waste the money to get the maintainance service done that I had taken it in for because the engine will most likely need replacing soon , and after further review online , vehicles with this condition have caught even caught on fire . And ford even acknowledging the issue is not willing to cover the repair costs .
2026-10-03Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11768666
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I am reporting a severe safety hazard regarding a known factory engineering defect in the 2017 Ford Escape 2.0L EcoBoost engine. A documented design flaw in the open-deck engine block allows engine coolant to slowly intrude into cylinders 3 and 4 [1.10]. This internal leak causes a rapid, un-warned loss of coolant volume without leaving any visible puddles on the ground [1.10]. The vehicle suffered a sudden loss of occupant cabin heat, immediately followed by the Cylinder Head Temperature (CHT) sensor triggering a critical overheat warning. This instantly forced the vehicle into a protective "Fail-Safe Cooling / Limp Mode." Safety Risk on Public Roads: This defect poses an immediate safety risk. When the vehicle suddenly forces itself into Limp Mode due to the rapid loss of coolant, it causes an abrupt and unexpected loss of acceleration/motive power while traveling at high speeds. This sudden drop in speed in fast-moving highway traffic creates a severe hazard for rear-end collisions, endangering myself and other motorists. Furthermore, forcing an engine to run while actively introducing combustible glycol coolant into the hot cylinders presents a distinct vehicle fire hazard. Ford is fully aware of this structural defect across its EcoBoost platforms and previously issued limited Customer Satisfaction Programs (such as CSP 21N12 and TSB 19-2346) [1.10]. However, because those programs were strictly capped by mileage and time constraints, consumers like myself are left stranded on public highways with an inherently unsafe vehicle [1.10]. I request that NHTSA elevate this to a formal safety investigation to mandate a safety recall.

Ford Escape Complaints by Model Year

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2017 Ford Escape?

Owners named Engine most often — 1,732 of 2,685 reports (65%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2017 Ford Escape?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Electrical, Transmission / driveline, and Glass / wipers / cameras. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2017 Ford Escape?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-10-04 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-10-04
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-14 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-10-14. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources