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 ([XXX] Ford of [XXX]). The check engine light came on and the problem was originally diagnosed as a cylinder fault with the course of action being 4 spark plugs and 1 ignition coil replaced. The check engine light continued to flash and it was then diagnosed with coolant intrusion. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The worst 2017 Ford Escape problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine2,001
- Transmission391
- Electrical156
- Fuel system95
- Wheels76
- Body62
- Brakes50
- Steering49
- Lights40
- Acceleration31
- Airbags21
- Driver assistance15
- Visibility15
- Seat belts14
- Locks8
- Suspension8
- Tires6
- Seats4
Specific symptoms reported on the 2017 Ford Escape
Check engine light 1,004Overheating 661Engine failure 645Misfire 474Stalling 182Fire or smoke 135Loss of power 101Transmission failure 101Jerking 89Hesitation 85Shudder 68Start-stop 52Won't shift 37Won't start 33Headlights 25Slipping 25Power steering loss 22Knocking 21Grinding brakes 16Fuel pump 16Sudden acceleration 15Harsh shifting 14No deployment 13Door locks 12Key fob 11Water leak 11Wipers 11Brake failure 9Seat belt 9Warning lights 9Fuel smell 7Backup camera 6Oil consumption 6Adaptive cruise 5Ball joint 5Sunroof shattered 5Tire blowout 5
Trouble codes owners of the 2017 Ford Escape mention
P0302 41P0316 30P0301 29P0303 26P0304 26P0300 17P1285 8P1299 8P0217 7P1450 4P0012 3P051B 3
Recalls 4
Visibility: power window devices and controls
- What is wrong
- 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 on July 6, 2026.
Recall number 26V374000 · Recall details
Equipment: electrical: engine block heater
- What is wrong
- 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 became searchable on on January 16, 2026.
Recall number 26V011000 · Recall details
Power train: shift linkage/cable/rod
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 22V413000 · Recall details
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 16V617000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2017 Ford Escape 249
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Harvest Program 25H05 – Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software Verification Harvest...
- Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless...
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes...
- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal...
- This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure
- All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code
- For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an...
- In various 2017-2023 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, customers may receive a message in the FordPass or...
- The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be...
2017 Ford Escape fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4‑cyl | FWD | 23 | 30 | 26 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 22 | 29 | 25 |
| 2.5L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21 | 29 | 24 |
| 1.5L 4‑cyl | AWD | 22 | 28 | 24 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | AWD | 20 | 27 | 23 |
What 2017 Ford Escape owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced catastrophic engine failure. While driving, the vehicle started sputtering and running rough before emitting smoke and excessive steam. The contact noticed a sweet odor coming from the exhaust before the failure. The steam became severe enough to obstruct the view of the driver. The contact discovered that coolant was leaking into the cylinders, causing the engine to hydro lock. The coolant contaminated the engine oil, and the engine oil became milky. The vehicle failed to start, and the engine seized. The contact notified Ford Motor Company of the failure and sent a complaint by certified mail. The manufacturer provided a case number and confirmed receipt of the correspondence but declined to provide any additional assistance. The contact visited the local Ford dealer and was informed that no assistance would be provided. The failure mileage was approximately 62,037.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 60 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly started shaking violently and sputtering while driving on the highway. The contact associated the failure with TSB: 19-2346. The dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in cylinder #2. The failure mileage was approximately 77,025.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shaking with the messages, " Cylinder #1 Misfire" and "Coolant Level Low" displayed. The coolant level was low. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a misfire in cylinder #1, replaced the spark plugs, and added coolant; however, the coolant level was low within the week and coolant was added. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 93,692.
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 Operations (ACO) divisions have been formally notified of the defect, and corporate Case File #CXH-0934-5907 was opened. However, a physical dealership inspection has not been completed due to the manufacturer's refusal to waive upfront diagnostic fees for an out-of-warranty vehicle. 5. Prior to total engine failure, the vehicle displayed an aggressive engine overheat warning indicator on the dashboard. The reservoir was found entirely stripped of coolant, with no visible external fluid leaks underneath the vehicle. These active symptoms and high engine temperature alerts first appeared suddenly on the dashboard on the day of the breakdown.
The engine hascooling intrusion to do manufrature defect
While operating the vehicle, the engine experienced a loss of power accompanied by a strong burning oil odor. Inspection revealed engine oil leaking from the camshaft cover assembly and onto the exhaust system, creating a potential fire hazard. Mechanical diagnosis determined that cylinder #4 had lost compression, resulting in excessive blow-by and crankcase pressurization. Due to the engine's turbocharged (forced-induction) design, the increased crankcase pressure contributed to oil leakage from the camshaft cover assembly. The observed failure mode is consistent with Ford TSB 19-2346.
When driving home my usual 5 miles from work, the car gave me a signal that it overheated and I should pull over immediately. This happened one other time during the week. The check engine light came on a few days later. When I brought it into The Ford dealership, they reported that the head gasket had blown, the engine had cracked, and it was leaking coolant into other areas of the car. It also affected several coils. They said it was unsafe to drive and quoted me $10,000 for a new engine and replacement. The car has only 90,000 miles on it, and I bought it used from a reputable dealer only 10 months ago. I have put <5,000 miles on it and kept it in good shape during this time. I was told this is a common issue for this car.
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 surrendered the car to the dealership and took a payout of only $1,500, for a car that only had 46,000 miles on it. We were told that the engine could go on fire and it was dangerous to drive. We were also told that "coolant intrusion" is a common thing that happens to these engines.
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. I had just had my car at Ford for a multipoint inspection six months prior with no reported problems although I’m not sure if they tested this specific system. I bought the car from Honolulu Volkswagen in 2022 and I still owe a large loan on it. So far I have had little assistance from Ford or Volkswagen for a resolution. It is unclear if the owner who traded it to VW in 2022 was aware of the defect, and at the time of purchase no issues with the car were disclosed when I asked. I am now without transportation and left to pay a loan and insurance on a car I cannot drive.
Compare the 2017 Ford Escape
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2017 Ford Escape
Is the 2017 Ford Escape reliable?
Owners have filed 2,708 complaints about the 2017 Ford Escape, 2.4 times a typical Escape model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2017 Ford Escape year score?
The 2017 Ford Escape scores 42 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Escape: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Ford Escape?
Engine and cooling, with 2,001 complaints, typically around 77,000 miles. Next is transmission (391).
How many recalls does the 2017 Ford Escape have?
4 recalls, covering visibility, equipment and power train.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Ford Escape get?
Official estimates for the 2017 Ford Escape range from 23 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.5L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 23 city and 30 highway.
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