Problems · NHTSA complaints

2017 Ford Escape problems

Owners filed 2,701 complaints about the 2017 Ford Escape with NHTSA between Oct 2016 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (1,584).

Complaints
2,701
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
39
Reported by owners
Fires
15
Reported by owners
Injuries
56
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine1,584
  2. Engine and engine cooling509
  3. Power train391
  4. Electrical system155
  5. Wheels76
  6. Fuel/propulsion system72
  7. Structure62
  8. Steering48
  9. Service brakes45
  10. Exterior lighting39
  11. Vehicle speed control31
  12. Air bags21
  13. Fuel system, gasoline21
  14. Seat belts14

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20162
201750
201857
2019112
2020124
2021116
2022237
2023381
2024710
2025645
2026267

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

1,584 reports7 crashes10 fires
“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, dramatically increasing the risk of a high-speed rear-end collision or stranding the driver in live traffic without propulsion. 3. Yes. The vehicle’s loss of coolant, engine misfire codes, and cylinder block leak characteristics were physically inspected and confirmed by a private, independent auto mechanic. 4. The vehicle has not been inspected by the police or insurance as no crash has occurred yet. Ford Motor Company's customer service and Tier 2 Automotive Consumer…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2026EngineODI 11774063

Engine and engine cooling

509 reports1 crash
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11771216

Power train

391 reports5 crashes3 fires1 related recall
“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 manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the transmission shifter cable bushing was missing. The shifter cable and bushing were replaced with similar parts and the vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 216,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2026Power trainODI 11766714

Electrical system

155 reports2 crashes1 fire
“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 for a diagnostic test associated with the warning light; however, the technicians only replaced external sensors. The warning light remained illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2026Electrical systemODI 11764765

Wheels

76 reports
“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while taking the vehicle in for a routine tire rotation, the dealer informed the contact that the lug nuts were swollen, and the tires could not be rotated. The contact's wife purchased a tool to remove the lug nuts and purchased replacement lug nuts. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who was unable to use the tool to remove the lug nuts. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, AutoNation Ford Gulf Freeway (12227 Gulf Fwy, Houston, TX 77034), who was also unable to use the equipment to remove the lug nuts to replace them lug nuts with ones purchased by the contact. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 74,800. The VIN was not available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2025WheelsODI 11697180

Fuel/propulsion system

72 reports
“Evap purge valve stuck open, coolant pooling in spark plugs, and oil combusting rapidly causing fire and explosion fears. Heavy smell of gasoline to where i didn't feel safe to start or drive”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 12, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11737449
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.