repaired · 2026 Q3
Visibility: power window devices and controls
NewRisk. A closing window that does not reverse direction as expected can pinch a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
2017 Ford EscapeProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 2,710 owner complaints about the 2017 Ford Escape, most often about the engine. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 22V-413 the manufacturer reports only 65% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 9, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: TuRbO_J from Adelaide, Australia, CC BY 2.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2017 Ford Escape has problems
2,710 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
1,588Engine18 crash/fire/injury
512Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
391Power train12 crash/fire/injury
156Electrical system
76Wheels
72Fuel/propulsion system
62Structure
49Steering
45Service brakes
20223 other systems32 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1588 | 18 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 512 | 1 |
| Power train | 391 | 12 |
| Electrical system | 156 | 7 |
| Wheels | 76 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 72 | 0 |
| Structure | 62 | 5 |
| Steering | 49 | 4 |
| Service brakes | 45 | 3 |
| 23 other systems | 202 | 32 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2017 Ford Escape recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Electrical: engine block heater
NewRisk. An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2024 Q3
Automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)
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.
repaired · 2017 Q4
Electrical system: software
Risk. If a window closes on a body part, it can increase the risk of injury.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Mileage at failure
When do engine problems start?
70kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 417 engine complaints. 76% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 43% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
62under 30k miles317under 100k miles100100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine
248 owners mentioned a cost$8,150median
Middle half: $7,123 – $10,000
Power train
30 owners mentioned a cost$6,000median
Middle half: $4,098 – $7,000
Wheels
9 owners mentioned a cost$180median
Middle half: $140 – $263
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2017 vs. every other Escape year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Escape median. How we score
9961,0275584991,3944642541,9741,6932,0711,3206042,7532,0911,1481,1922,7101,8336041,62135623810278263
'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
In owners' words
What Escape owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
2017 Ford Escape with the 2.0L Ecoboost Engine. Engine failed with the known coolant intrusion issue with only ~65,000 miles on it. Engine started misfiring, and the check engine light came on (solid, not blinking). No leaks under the vehicle. Within 2 days, the cabin lost heat while running the…
During regular operation, the vehicle began running roughly, stalling at intersections, and triggering a 'Coolant Over-Temperature' warning alongside a Check Engine Light. A certified mechanic confirmed internal coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders—a documented defect in this model year.…
My 2017 Ford Escape was diagnosed with a coolant intrusion. Apparently the only way to fix this is replacing the engine block for more than the car is worth (~$10,000). The car only has 70,000 miles on it. It is available for inspection upon request. This problem has been confirmed by a dealer…
Own a 2017 Escape?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.