2017 Ford Escape: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Sep 21, 2026 · Engine · NY

It is common knowledge that my particular vehicle has a known engine defect - coolant intrusion - that in effect renders the engine inoperable eventually in models from 2013-19. Mine is a 2017. It was sold to me without anyone referencing the known engine issue. Over the last couple of years, my family was nearly stranded when the car suddenly began to experience shuddering, very rough driving, coolant disappearing and having to be replenished, and the engine coils misfiring and having to be replaced. Now, the engine has failed and is in need of more than $4,000 in repairs. While Ford did not issue a recall, it did alert its dealerships to the known manufacturing defect. As a consumer, I was NOT told of this problem during the sale.

Filed Jul 27, 2026 · Engine · 109,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20–25 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering and lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated and flashing. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined that there was no compression in cylinder #2. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

Filed Jul 10, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · CT

Check engine light came on XXX. Engine coolant level was extremely low, shuddering "start" several times the previous week. My 2017 Ford Escape 2.0L EcoBoost Turbo engine, with only 38,245 original miles has the well known and documented issue with the 2.0L EcoBoost block with the P0302 misfire code. Numerous TSB's have been issued about this (some are TSP 19-2346 and TSB 22-2229). The engine coolant has intruded into Cylinder 2 necessitating a long block engine replacement. This was the formal diagnosis by the Ford Service Department at my Ford Dealership on XXX, after running a cooling system pressure test and a borescope inspection with photos proving coolant is in Cylinder 2. I've seen numerous other complaints online and on this website ([XXX]) about this exact issue with the same yr/make/model/engine. Since this is a premature failure of a major powertrain component due to a known factory defect which can cause safety issues, please issue a recall for 2017 Ford Escape cars with the 2.0L EcoBoost Turbo engines. This can cause a fire (and has from what I have read) and damage the catalytic converter if driven. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 2, 2026 · 157,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered, causing the RPM to fluctuate. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V011000 (EQUIPMENT); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 157,000.

Filed Dec 9, 2025 · Engine · 122,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered abnormally while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the failure could cause engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

Filed Oct 2, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 134,003 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering intermittently. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, where it was diagnosed with alternator and pistons failure. The second mechanic replaced the alternator; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the second mechanic, where the contact was informed that there was oil and coolant dilution, and metal shavings were found inside the engine. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 134,003.

Filed Sep 26, 2025 · Engine · 29,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 25-30 MPH uphill to the residence, the vehicle shuddered violently and went into LIMP Mode. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under the Powertrain Warranty. The contact stated that the failure had recurred while driving, causing the contact to drive through a red traffic light to pull over safely into a nearby parking lot. The vehicle was towed to [XXX] Ford [XXX] ); where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the repair would be performed at his expense. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000. The VIN was not available. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 28, 2025 · Engine · CA

Within 2 days of initially experiencing an engine shudder during acceleration on 2017 Ford Escape 2.0L Ecoboost with 44,000 miles, the car was diagnosed with coolant leaking into the engine cylinder. Ford TSB 19-2172 requires an engine long block to remedy the situation. Many others have reported this problem both to the federal safety agency and online but Ford has not formally addressed this defect as far as I can tell. This is a very costly repair that Ford needs to take ownership for.

Filed Aug 15, 2025 · Engine · 91,784 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle shuddered abnormally, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure due to coolant intrusion into cylinders #2 and #3. The contact was informed that the engine block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,784.

Filed Aug 4, 2025 · Engine · 94,500 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and was inspected. The contact continued driving, but the vehicle shuddered and lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that coolant had leaked into the cylinder. The contact was informed that the spark plugs and ignition coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred 2-3 days later. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the message "High Engine Temperature - Stop Safely" was displayed. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that there was no coolant in the reservoir. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,500.

Filed Jul 29, 2025 · Engine · 90,000 miles · OH

The contact's wife owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that approximately one year ago, the engine was misfiring, and the vehicle was shuddering when the vehicle was started. The contact stated that his wife had not seen any warning lights illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the spark plugs and coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact took the vehicle back to the same mechanic and was informed that the cylinders in the engine had failed a pressure test and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine block, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 19-2346 (Coolant intrusion into the cylinders - Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the program to replace the engine did not cover the vehicle and had expired. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Jul 22, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · 92,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart but was undrivable. The vehicle was towed to Firestone but was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that a cracked fuel injector had leaked fuel into cylinder #3, creating a hole in the cylinder and the engine. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.