2017 Ford Escape
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 2,688
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Engine
Campaigns on file for 2017
None on file
59% of complaints
Complaints per year
2017: 2,688 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 996 |
| 2002 | 1,027 |
| 2003 | 558 |
| 2004 | 499 |
| 2005 | 1,394 |
| 2006 | 464 |
| 2007 | 254 |
| 2008 | 1,974 |
| 2009 | 1,692 |
| 2010 | 2,070 |
| 2011 | 1,316 |
| 2012 | 602 |
| 2013 | 2,748 |
| 2014 | 2,086 |
| 2015 | 1,083 |
| 2016 | 1,116 |
| 2017 | 2,688 |
| 2018 | 1,806 |
| 2019 | 590 |
| 2020 | 1,600 |
| 2021 | 346 |
| 2022 | 233 |
| 2023 | 99 |
| 2024 | 76 |
| 2025 | 25 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Engine
59% · 1,577 reportsShow complaint excerpts
My vehicle shut off while i was driving on the highway. The check engine light flashed for a few seconds and then the whole car shut off while i was doing 70 on the highway. Thankfully nobody was hurt but i'm lucky to be alive.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-06
I turned from the parking lot intersection in eagle run shopping center, nw of wendy's, from west to south onto the parking lot road that accesses the w maple rd & birch st intersection.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-29
I am reporting a serious engine failure involving a 2017 Ford Escape SE AWD 2.0L EcoBoost, VIN [XXX]. The vehicle was purchased in October 2024 as a Ford Blue Advantage Certified vehicle from Lithia Ford of Boise with approximately 32,000 miles.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-20
Engine and engine cooling
19% · 507 reportsMost commonly citing cooling system and turbo/supercharger.
Power train
15% · 395 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and torque converter.
Electrical system
6% · 154 reportsMost commonly citing spark plugs and wiring.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to start. The contact check the vanity lights but there was no power inside the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-20
Wheels
3% · 81 reportsMost commonly citing lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2016-09-06Electrical system, visibility16V617000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2017 Ford Escape Titanium and SE vehicles manufactured October 5, 2015, to May 12, 2016.
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.
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2017Complaint volume 2,688 complaints filed for this model year.
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2022-10-27Power train22V413000 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.
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Date not on fileVisibility26V374000 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.
Remedy: Dealers will update the power window operating system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6. 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C29.
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Date not on fileEquipment26V011000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine.
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2017 Ford Escape — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine: 1,577 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 507 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 395 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 26V374000 · Visibility
- Recall 26V011000 · Equipment
- Recall 16V617000 · Electrical system, visibility
- Recall 22V413000 · Power train
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2017 Ford Escape reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2017 Ford Escape is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ford Escape?
- The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 59% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2017 Ford Escape have?
- 4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.