2017 Ford Escape: water leaks into the cabin

Filed Jun 20, 2026 · Engine · KY

Water leaking into cylinder White smoke when start engine Uses coolant quickly Engine light on

Filed Mar 25, 2026 · Body, Electrical · CA

Coolant leak and dealership advises that the car will need a engine replacement to fix the problem. The car is constantly running rough and misfiring. Driving this vehicle this way put myself and small children at risk that there could be a potential complete engine failure while driving the vehicle. This problem has been confirmed by the dealership and I was told that Ford Motor Co. is aware of the issue however they are choosing to do nothing about it or offer a recall. The vehicle has been inspected by a police officer who has driven the car and states that the car is very unsafe to drive. The car has a current "check engine" light constantly on. The car also has severe issues with the electrical system and sealing system. The car is now leaking water when it rains through the front windshield. Also, the pain is chipping in areas all over the vehicle.

Filed Feb 27, 2026 · Engine · IA

Our car just turned over 91,000 miles. The check engine light came on so I had spark plugs replaced. The repair shop noticed that our coolant level was way down so they ran a scope into the cylinders. They found fluids leaking into the #4 cylinder. I took car to Ford dealer and they confirmed water leaking into cylinder. They say I need a completely new motor and want to charge full price even though this has been a known "issue" for this motor since 2019 (Tech service bulletin 19-2346). They refuse to give any discounts and are telling me it will cost over $9,400 to replace the motor. I'm now being told it will be unsafe to drive the vehicle any long distances.

Filed Jan 25, 2026 · Suspension, Transmission · PA

Vehicle was purchased [XXX], the very next day multiple lights came on on the dash and it started bucking while driving. I took it back to the dealership for repairs.The right rear wheel speed sensor was bad. While the vehicle was being repaired a bolt that was seized up was broken requiring the Rr wheel knuckle to be replaced. July, the vehicle was treated for a water leak into the spare tire compartment.In September, more repairs were needed. I took it to my mechanic.The L axle shaft, wheel bearing, control arm w/ball joint, speed sensor and Rt.knuckle needed replaced. At this point, I was informed of the extensive rust under the vehicle and only being 8 years old, is a great concern. When it was taken in for an alignment, it was discovered there was a bolt broken off the Rr control arm, and it was repaired. October, it was treated again for the water leak. Water was still getting in with the spare tire when it rained. Also in October, I noticed a lag in shifting when accelerating. One incident that happened when merging onto a highway, the shifting lagged, delaying my acceleration and caused my vehicle to be traveling at a much slower rate than traffic. I took it to the dealership for repairs for the lag and a grinding noise. The transmission and torque converter were replaced. The grinding noise continued even after the repairs. January 2026, the vehicle was again taken in for the grinding noise and water leak. It now requires a transfer case, drive shaft, rear differential and the sub frame is cracked. I am greatly concerned about the structural integrity of this vehicle. Dealership claims the rust of the frame is from PA winters however the steering shaft INSIDE the car also has rust on it. For comparison, I also have a 2003 Jeep and it has minimal rust and is kept outside daily. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 26, 2025 · Engine · MA

My 2017 Ford Escape is leaking water from the radiator and it is probably going to the engine. From what I've researched, this is a chronic problem with Ford Escapes that causes engine failure, which is very expensive to repair.

Filed Oct 7, 2024 · Lights · CA

My family has 2 Ford SUVs. A 2017 ford escape and a 2018 Ford Flex. The 2017 Ford Escape started having an issue a couple years ago regarding moisture/water seeping into the tail lights/brake lights panels. Our cars have never had rear damage or hit anything that would cause them to be susceptible to water leaking in. It has to be something that happened over time. When you lift up the trunk gate, if you push the trunk up high enough, you can get most of the water to come out. Well, during the rainy seasons the water builds up quickly and it caused the LED brake light to go out. The panel piece costs about $400 and to get it fixed at the local ford dealership was a little over $700 a year or so ago. Well, the same thing happened to the other side and it went out as well. Over the last 3 years since the problem started, my wife and i have been more aware of condensation/moisture buildup in taillights and have noticed a lot of fords with the same problem. Our flex has a similar less severe problem where the taillights form condensation in them but they later dry up. Water hasnt gotten through, yet. Because we have noticed so many other ford SUVs with this same moisture problem in the taillights, i wanted to take the time for my first time ever, trying to see if a recall petition could be started on these taillights that are not properly blocking water from getting in. If it was just a simple lightbulb replacement that would be one thing, but because ford installed LED panel lights, they are incredibly expensive to replace. If just our city has a lot of cars with similar problems just on Ford SuVs, i have to imagine there are thousands more across the country. Thank you for your time reading this, and hopefully looking into it. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 5, 2024 · Engine · CA

My mom has always kept up all maintenance and car has never produced a check engine light. When driving to work the other day she started having engine problems. Had it immediately towed to the Ford dealership and they said the engine was blown. The technician says he sees it quite often on this model car from water leaking into engine. The technician tried to get ford to fix it but to no avail. The car has 54,000 miles on it and 3 months over the 7 year warranty. I see many other postings on this car and it is time for someone to do something. No car should only go 54,000 miles when well taken care of. Thanks

Filed Feb 27, 2024 · Body · 25,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, rainwater leaked into the cabin of the vehicle from the roof. The contact stated that the leaks were present at several locations inside the vehicle which included the rear hatch area, the rear driver’s, and passenger’s side roof areas above the windows, and the from driver's side roof area above the window. The contact also stated that mold was present inside the vehicle due to condensation from the rainwater. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 25,000.

Filed Jul 13, 2023 · GA

Car is leaking water in weather strip across the right side of the roof. Causing water to leak into my trunk, pooling in my spare tire area, also leaks near a fuse box that's in my trunk. That's a safety hazard & very scary foe such a new car. I've browsed online and have seen thousands of others that have this same issue with newer cars. So this to me should be taking care of by Ford. I'm a mom of 2 kids that doesn't have 1,700 to fix a leak. It was fixed in October 22' for the same issue. Here we are again with the exact same issue but now it's traveled what appears to be the full length of the roof. I beg that this is resolved with a recall etc. Nobody should have a pool of water literally in their car. I'm sure my spare needs to be replaced. Also, if I hadn't opened my trunk right after a rain storm & noticed it was wet. I probably wouldn't have ever noticed it till it was too late. Thanks for any help on resolving this issue with not only my car but others with the same problem. Have a blessed day!

Filed Aug 5, 2022 · Lights · OR

The brake light assembly seem separates and water leaks in causing the brake lights to fail. I went online to see if this was an issue, it seems to be a very big issue with this vehicle.

Filed May 30, 2018 · Brakes, Electrical · 7,900 miles · TX

My wife and I purchased a 2017 ford escape, brand new, 6 months ago. We noticed that the brake light plastic cover was fogging over making it hard to see the brake light. After checking with our dealer, mac haik ford, georgetown, texas, I was informed that this is normal. Normal? Sounds more like a safety concern to me. I was also told that water leaking into the brake light unit was also ?normal.? I can?t imagine allowing water to collect inside an electrical item as important as a brake light and is very strange and very wrong! If it?s fogging up now what will it look like a year from now or even two years. Ford motor company made a mistake and they need to replace this brake light unit! It's a safety issue and they know it. [xxx] , leander, texas information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).