10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
16,116 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2017 Ford Escape:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #33

Aug 282024

Escape

  • 124,000 miles
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.

- Janesville, WI, USA

problem #32

Jul 112024

Escape

  • miles
For the last few months, I-??ve noticed that my vehicle-??s brake mechanism hasn-??t been stable, also audible /noises coming from brakes at time, vehicle has an EVAP leak, causing vehicle not to start after refilling with gas. Yesterday, 6/11, while traveling, there was a notice that said engine was overheated and to stop vehicle safely. I was on a restricted highway on a very slim shoulder, very traumatized, but after 3 hours successfully has vehicles towed to a repair shop. No work has started.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #31

Jun 152024

Escape

  • miles
All four of the tail lights, on the hatch and on the sides of the car are leaking and retaining water which has caused the brake/tail lights on the rear to fail. This is an obvious safety hazard and a quick Google search reveals that it is a widespread problem. There has always been some water in the light, starting with condensation about a year ago, but as of the last few weeks, the lights are inconsistent, and now appear to not be working at all.

- Whitehall, MI, USA

problem #30

Sep 172023

Escape

  • miles
Emergency brake sets itself. Car won't start. Takes many attempts to get brake to release and be able to drive car.

- Kents Store, VA, USA

problem #29

Feb 152023

Escape

  • miles
In Jan 2019, we bought this certified pre-owned car. Recently, we received a recall noticed that involved the timing system. We took it in and was told that the system was resolved and there was no further issues. Two days after leaving the dealer, the check engine light came on. The car began having the same issues that where present before taking it in for the recall timing issues. When I called to return the car, I was told that there was no further issues to address and I was responsible for any further concerns. Shortly after my brake pedal became stiff and was difficult to stop. I was able to get it stopped safely. The next day the engine died and would not start. After taking it to a mechanic, I was told the the engine would need to be replaced due to the timing belt snapping. The car had less than 70,000 miles on it and if there were any issues with the timing belt they should have been caught during the time the recall issues were addressed.

- Cypress, CA, USA

problem #28

Aug 122022

Escape

  • miles
When approaching a red light on 8/12/22 in dry conditions, my son attempted to push brake part way down to slow on approach. Nothing happened. Pushed brake all the way to floor and vehicle barely slowed. Brakes had been serviced in May 2022. Vehicle had 36,094 miles. Note: accident report not under owner's name as I was not the driver.

- Marietta, Ga, GA, USA

problem #27

Jun 072022

Escape

  • miles
After arriving at my designation 250 miles from my home my I arrived safely but when leaving from there the car would start. I waited 20 minutes before I tried starting it and it started. I was there for the weekend for a graduation. Sunday the car started and I proceeded to come home to the same distance. I stopped at Costco in Portland, Or. which was about 5:30 evening. I went to put my groceries in the car but the hood would not open. I tried to use the Fob but again it would not start. I took the key out of the Fob and opened the door and the horn started blasting and the car lights started blinking. My son was in Portand, Or. as well and meet me at Costco. He opened the Fob and put in a new battery but that did not work. We figured that it was probably dead even though it was never used and new. He went and bought a 5 pack of batteries. We tried again and again it would not start. Before I called him I had gotten hold of my roadside insurance and since it was not considered an accident nor anyone hurt, they said it would take about 1 to 2 hours to get there. That's when I called my son. After numerous times trying to get it started with a new battery it finally started. Drove home with my son following behind and made it home. I was thinking that it was just the Fob but it started to do the same thing in days to come. As of today July 11, 2022 my car has been at the dealer where I bought it since May 23, 2022. I took it there for an oil change, which I always do and it's been there almost 2 months. I did send a letter to Ford Motor Company, Customer Relationship Center in Dearborn, MI 48126. I believe that my 2022 Ford should be considered a safety defect. I'm just glad that, had my car lost power on the freeway or any other place it I would not had any control over it. I did not mention that my granddaughter was with me when I drove the 250 miles.

- Mt Hood Parkdale, Or. 97041, OR, USA

problem #26

Jun 212022

Escape

  • miles
Traveling on I-77 in Bland County Virginia. I was doing 70 mph and had to slow to 40 mph due to a tractor trailer. Brakes failed, made it off the interstate safely. I went to a garage. They installed front brake pads which did not help. Upon checking, they recommended a vacuum pump as my brakes were no better and all of the oil was leaking out of my car. I checked with Ford and my warranty expired on May 16, 2022. Cannot even drive the car due to the oil and brake issue. The vacuum pump had disintegrated.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #25

Mar 172021

Escape

  • 45,000 miles
For the last few days, intermittently, the ABS warning light would come on, then the traction control light, then the hill assist light, then the 4 wheel drive would disengage, and now the parking brake fault light. You never know when it will happen as it happens intermittently, and they don't all fault at the same time. It seems each consecutive day the number of problems grows. My greatest concern is that now the traction control light will flash and the throttle will become unresponsive. You never know when it may happen. Twice today it nearly caused an accident as I was pulling into traffic. The engine was running, but would not accelerate. A serious safety concern. I am filing this report just in case I get injured or killed before I can have it checked by a Ford dealer.

- Woodville, TX, USA

problem #24

Feb 062021

Escape

  • 25,523 miles
Noticed one of the two screws that attaches the brake fluid reservoir was missing. The other screw was about to fall out and the reservoir was leaning such that some of the brake fluid had leaked out the cap. If the other screw had fallen out this could present a very hazardous condition. 2017 Ford Escape, V6 engine with 25523 miles.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #23

Jan 152021

Escape

  • 24,000 miles
The right rear brake makes a clunking noise and also the left front brake makes the same noise.when taking off by backing out or pulling out and applying the brakes it makes a clunking sound

- Leesburg, FL, USA

problem #22

Nov 252020

Escape

  • 47,475 miles
When I press down on the brakes it makes it kind of like an air sound or squeaking sound I have taken it to a repair shop three times to have it repaired. The last time I took a dare they agreed all the fittings and joints and stuff like that. I was driving to Georgia just last week and a traffic hollow to the top and I had to press down hard on the brake it made a really loud suction or squeaking sound I'm wondering if there is a recall for these brakes. Squeaking sound maybe I've heard one either you press down really hard on the brake or when you have to press the brake all of a sudden

- Bonneau, SC, USA

problem #21

Oct 052020

Escape 4-cyl

  • miles
2017 Ford Escape. Consumer writes in regards to instrument panel. Consumer stated that when the lights on the instrument panel are illuminated they are a distraction. The consumer stated the emergency brake and 4X4 disengaged were illuminated. The consumer was unable to locate a dealer that could investigate the issue.

- Varney, WV, USA

problem #20

Mar 112020

Escape

  • 14,000 miles
Rear brake rotors are rusted and have deep grooves with obvious brake pad wear to the point of being unsafe. This vehicle is under warranty and has been to the dealership for this issue only to be told this is normal. Have been told by the dealership employee this is a known problem with this model dating back to 2013 and the manufacturer will not address the defect. I had this problem with my previous 2014 exact model and had to replace the rear brakes at my exspence even though it to was under factory warranty.

- Glenford, OH, USA

problem #19

Jan 212020

Escape

  • 8,900 miles
Brakes pedal is very hard to press. Need to press extremely hard on the brakes pedal to stop the vehicle

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #18

Aug 122019

Escape

  • 44,500 miles
80 miles away from home.brake pedal was hard to used, failing to stopping, towed to dealer they change my oil and said I need brakes and declined diagnostic.they knew their was no brakes.I did not what them to replace brakes and to find out what cause the failure. I picked up with no brakes and took somewhere else. It was the vacuum boost and gear snapped off which turns vacuum. This part should not fail and needs to be recalled also reimburse my costs out of pocket. Any questions just ask

- Wellington, FL, USA

problem #17

Jun 282019

Escape

  • 12,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space and pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle did not stop causing the vehicle to crash into two parked vehicles. During the incident, no injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer willis Ford (15 N. dupont blvd smyrna de.). the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,000.

- Smyrna, DE, USA

problem #16

Apr 202017

Escape

  • 15,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the brake pedal was applied, but felt hard and failed to stop the vehicle. In addition, there was an abnormal squealing noise emerging from the steering wheel. When the brake pedal was pumped, the vehicle drove as designed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to allan vigil Ford (6790 mt zion blvd, morrow, ga 30260, (678) 364-3673) where it was diagnosed that there was rust on the brakes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was not contacted. The failure mileage was 15,000.

- Rex, GA, USA

problem #15

Mar 112019

Escape

  • 23,400 miles
The vehicle was taken to the dealership on March 11, 2019 after driving the vehicle and the vehicle would not stop, even though the breaks were being applied. For any type of breakage, you would have to accel the car to go faster. The car is still in the dealership and have not ben able to figure out the underlying problem.

- Macomb, MI, USA

problem #14

Jan 122019

Escape

  • 16,000 miles
The car suddenly loses power. Then the braking is very difficult. You feel as though the car will not stop. This has occurred four times in the span of 300 miles.this has occurred on the highway and city streets.

- Villa Park, IL, USA

Read the next 13 complaints »