2017 Ford Escape: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Oct 22, 2025 · Electrical, Locks · 65,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the tailgate unexpectedly opened while driving. The contact stated that the tailgate could be opened manually or with the key fob. The contact stated that depressing the button near the tailgate failed to open the tailgate. The tailgate ajar message was displayed. The contact attempted to resolve the issue by changing the key fob battery, but the issue persisted. The local dealer was contacted and suggested a diagnostic test be performed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall coverage on the VIN and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed May 20, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · IN

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the 9-1-1 Assistance and seat belt warning alerts activated. The contact stated that the key fob sensor intermittently failed to recognize the key fob inside the vehicle with the message "No Key Detected" displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact stated that during cold starts, the vehicle hesitated, and the RPM became elevated. There was no warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was then illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Eby Ford (2714 Elkhart Rd, Goshen, IN 46526) where the vehicle was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into engine and cylinder #4. The contact stated that the engine relay was replaced after the vehicle failed to start. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 21, 2024 · Brakes · 124,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to slow the vehicle, the contact had to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard before the brakes functioned properly. The contact stated that an alarm activated while driving, prompting her to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the rear brake rotors. The contact was informed that the key fob needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000.

Filed Oct 2, 2024 · Engine · FL

Engine had a hesitation while running for approx a week, then one morning it flashed on dash that push button start not operable must be manually started.. It would not run after that and was towed to Brandon Ford Dealership near Tampa Florida. This was around the [XXX], today on [XXX], Brandon Ford sends message stating that the engine has "COOLANT INTRUSION" and that it will cost $14,228.00 for a whole new engine!! They even have a name for the issue, not like "blown head gasket", "warped head", etc. Upon further research on internet, this is a MASS PROBLEM with these engines from 2013 to 2019 and is still happening even though Ford claims to have conducted a "redesign" of the coolant ports on the engine block.. IF THIS IS NOT A CLASS ACTION OR A RECALL SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM!!!!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 30, 2023 · CA

FORDPASS Module is controlling the car through the fob key. The dashboard appears "Ford Key Free No Key Detected". I was at the drive thru of IN & OUT BURGER Store last October 15, 2023 when I'm about to leave the car suddenly stopped, engine stopped running and it blocked the drive way no other car can pass thru. Towed the car to the dealership and charged me a new fob keys. Next day I pass by a gas station, locked the car. After pumping, the door can't open and found no key detected in my Fordpass app. If someone try to harm me that moment, I would be in danger because the car is controlled by the FORDPASS MODULE. It happened again in a parking lot of Costco, I'm denied of entry and the apps said there's a time for it to be activated, I am using the car to my destination without stopping the engine until I reach home.

Filed Aug 22, 2023 · Electrical · GA

I went to pick my child up from school, the escape was doing great went across the highway and the car shut down saying couldn’t find the key fob! I tried to crank the car back up to get out of the middle of the road so we wouldn’t get hit and the escape wouldn’t detect the Key Fob. We had a mechanic look at it. He thinks it is the body control module. This is a safety issue that my car quit without any warning at all and me and my child could have been hurt badly. This needs to be brought to someone’s attention cause this could happen to someone else. NO WARNING at all that my escape was going to come to a STOP and not crank!!! Very dangerous!!

Filed Feb 17, 2023 · Locks · 55,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after parking and turning off the vehicle, the interior lights remained illuminated, due to the liftgate failing to close securely. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that she replaced the key fob, lubricated the door latch assembly, and replaced the battery; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the contact was made aware that the vehicle warranty had expired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the federal safety agency hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

Filed Jun 23, 2022 · Body · TX

Liftgate trunk won’t open with key fob or button most times and my things are stuck in there sometimes overnight until it will just magically open.

Filed Jun 23, 2022 · Body · 48,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while attempting to unlock the liftgate, the contact was unable to unlock the liftgate using the key fob or the button inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000.

Filed Jun 27, 2021 · Engine · NC

I had left my home about 4 arrived at mall 4:30 all was great a usual day. I push button start my suv out of nowhere all these panel warnings appeared. Engine sign, hill assistance not available, air conditioner stop working, 4 wheel Fault, etc.,Pictures below

Filed Aug 22, 2018 · Body · IL

Open the liftgate with hands free to load groceries into car. As I load from cart to trunk the liftgate will automatically begin to close hitting me on the head. After getting hit it startles me so much not sure if it goes back up from the hitting motion or me pushing it or I have reached for the button to open it. But it does go back up and I have not been trapped just banged on the head or shoulders. There is a very quiet beeping sound however in a parking lot it is too quiet to hear. I asked at the dealer if it was possible to make this louder or a problem with something I'm doing or a sensor and they could not help me. I have only owned the car about 6 months and this has happened numerous times. The car is not running it's in park in a lot and the key fob is in purse or pocket. I am moving around however to open the liftgate you do have to swing the foot somewhat under to get it to open. I have been careful where my feet are to try and make sure that I am not effecting it to close. I like the hands free feature or I would disable it but I don't like getting hit in the head. This has happened to both my husband myself and both of us loading together.