10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,271 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.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #39

Apr 232020

Escape

  • 16,000 miles
This was in the city, morning and kind of rainy day, driving at maximum 30 mph. I started my car and immediately I saw the 'check engine ' yellow light on. I called to my closest Ford dealer and made an appointment for the next day. Since I had to run some errands during the day, I paid attention to the behavior of the car. At times when I started it, it stalled and when I stopped it smelled weird. So I took it next day to the dealer and they told me it was an issue with the coolant that was leaking and goes into the engine and that probably they had to change the engine. I immediately started googling it and unfortunately, I found there are thousands of cases with the same issue!, very disappointing!. my question is, if Ford knowledge is a common issue during the last 2-3 years, why they haven't started a recall yet during these past years?

- Harwood Heights, IL, USA

problem #38

Mar 062020

Escape

  • 74,000 miles
II took my car in for an oil change before it reached 60,000 miles. I ask them to check the transmission because it felt like it was slipping, it would go slow going up a hill sometimes and would feel like it wasn't moving when you pushed the gas pedal. The dealership said it was fine. At 74,000 miles the cars transmission just stopped moving after making a loud noise, we were on a busy interstate, but managed to make it home took it to the dealership and they said the transmission had burnt transmission fluid which meant I needed a new transmission. I have only had this vehicle 3 years. Ford is only willing to pay half the repair. No one buys a car and expects to have to pay to get the transmission repaired before the vehicle is paid for. I have 2 more years of payments. I work at a hospital in chattanooga, Tennessee. I drive about 40 miles each way. I have to go to work during this covid-19. I would expect Ford to repair my vehicle at no cost being I had taken it in before.

- South Pittsburg, TN, USA

problem #37

Mar 252020

Escape

  • 90,850 miles
I was driving, tried to accelerate vehicle made a strange noise and would not accelerate, would not go over 10 mph, RPM went up to 6. pulled of the road, placed it in park, turned it off, then back on. Vehicle would not go into gear. Had to have it towed to a Ford dealership, was told I need a new transmission. Waiting for estimate at this time.

- Loxahatchee, FL, USA

problem #36

Nov 152017

Escape

  • 1,400 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle intermittently hesitated while the eco-boost engine feature was activated without warning. The vehicle was taken to gowanda Ford Inc. Located at (14650 us-62, gowanda, NY 14070) however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,400.

- Angola, NY, USA

problem #35

Feb 202020

Escape

  • 108,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle decelerated very quickly. The contact stated that the RPM revved up while the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that the service transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to asheboro Ford located at (1602 E dixie dr, asheboro, nc 27203), to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.

- 2017 Ford Escape 2017 Ford Esc, NC, USA

problem #34

Nov 212019

Escape

  • 33,000 miles
Everytime auto start stop is initiated and I release the brake my vehicle shuts down with the notification "shift to P and restart engine." This has happened numerous occasions. It happened in traffic and nearly caused a wreck. The person saw I released the brake and expected me to but I'm stalled because of this. I'm tired of having to to manually turn auto start stop off. There are 1000S with this issue and a recall needs to be made. I bought the vehicle from carmax Sept 2019. When I bought the vehicle the bump to bumper warranty had already expired.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #33

Feb 012020

Escape

  • 35,000 miles
The car randomly completely turns off while stopped at red lights or in traffic (when auto start-stop is activated), with a message on that dashboard to "shift the vehicle into park and restart the engine". at this point, it is necessary to shift the car into park and restart the engine before being able to proceed.

- College Station, TX, USA

problem #32

Jan 222020

Escape

  • 25,000 miles
Seal in between the intercooler for the turbo so that coolent mixes with the engine oil which causes the engine to fail prematurely and Ford will not cover the repair. The car must be recalled because of the defect. www.badproductslaw.com is making a class action and people should contact them.

- Spring Valley, NY, USA

problem #31

Dec 252019

Escape

  • 61,800 miles
At approximately 61,800 miles the transmission completely failed and had to be either replaced or rebuilt. While driving, the car started seizing up and slowing down. The transmission failure light came on.

- Ashland City, TN, USA

problem #30

Oct 012019

Escape

  • 12,000 miles
My 2017 Ford Escape is creating an extremely dangerous safety issue/situation with the auto stop/start function. When stopped in traffic-at a stoplight, at a stop sign, in the road waiting to turn left-the engine turns off and a message is displayed to "shift the vehicle into park and restart the engine". I have almost had other cars hit the back of my Escape because of this. It's very scary when this happens and takes time to shift to park and restart the engine with an impatient diver behind me. I have read numerous other complaints on this same issue on your website. Some of the NHTSA id #'s 11300434, 11297934, 11292126, 11291536, 11290647, 11290086, and 11288766. There are other complaints as well. Please, before someone is injured or killed issue a recall for this problem. I don't have the exact date this first occurred, but it has happened multiple times since October 2019. Also per NHTSA 10160883 and Ford communication no. Ssm 47492 from February 2018 this is an issue that has been a known issue for at least 2 years now. "some 2017 Escape vehicles built on or before 02-Feb-2017 may exhibit a no restart concern after an auto stop/start event. Upon attempting to restart, the instrument panel may display a message instructing the customer to shift to park and start the vehicle manually. To correct this condition, reprogram the body control module (BCM) using the latest software level of the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool. For claiming, use causal part 14A068 and applicable labor operations in section 10 of the service labor time standards (slts) manual. If the BCM software is currently at the latest level available, refer to workshop manual (wsm), section 303-06A and/or powertrain control/emissions diagnosis (pc/ed) manual for an auto stop/start diagnostic trouble code (dtc) or gsb0000153 for auto stop/start system information and diagnostics."

- Brookfield, CT, USA

problem #29

Dec 152019

Escape

  • 28,500 miles
My 2017 Ford Escape is exhibiting the problem described below and apparently known to Ford on or about February 2018. This is a dangerous situation that may occur when the car is stopped at a traffic signal or paused in an intersection waiting to make a left turn, or paused waiting to merge onto a highway. Although Ford was aware of this problem (via the bulletins shown) while the car was still under 36 month warranty, no mention was made of it. Now that the car is exhibiting the dangerous behavior, Ford will not honor the 36 bumper to bumper or 60 month power train warranty to correct. Quoted cost to repair could vary from $150 to several hundred more according to Ford service dept. This should be a recall item since it reflects a known manufacturing flaw. Per NHTSA 10160883 and Ford communication no. Ssm 47972: "some 2017 Escape vehicles built on or before 02-Feb-2017 may exhibit a no restart concern after an auto stop/start event. Upon attempting to restart, the instrument panel may display a message instructing the customer to shift to park and start the vehicle manually. To correct this condition, reprogram the body control module (BCM) using the latest software level of the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool. For claiming, use causal part 14A068 and applicable labor operations in section 10 of the service labor time standards (slts) manual. If the BCM software is currently at the latest level available, refer to workshop manual (wsm), section 303-06A and/or powertrain control/emissions diagnosis (pc/ed) manual for an auto stop/start diagnostic trouble code (dtc) or gsb0000153 for auto stop/start system information and diagnostics."

- Rockville, MD, USA

problem #28

Nov 012019

Escape

  • 54,536 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. While attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle sometimes failed to accelerate. Also, when attempting to shift into third gear at approximately 50 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle also made a jerking sensation suddenly and accelerated without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 54,536. The VIN was invalid.

- Camdena, AR, USA

problem #27

Dec 142019

Escape

  • 25,000 miles
In the 3 years that we had the vehicle, the engine has had to be replaced twice due to coolant leaking into the combustion chamber because of a poorly designed head gasket. The most recent repair had an updated gasket, but only 3 months after it was replaced the transmission had a parts failure that caused a warning light. Shortly after the warning light, the car stopped in the middle of a major intersection and required a tow to the dealership for further repair. My husband was in the vehicle with my son at the time and thankfully was able to shift the car in neutral and get to a side street before an accident occurred.

- Berwyn, IL, USA

problem #26

Dec 012019

Escape

  • 26,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. On three separate occasions, while at a stop light/sign, the eco boost system malfunctioned and the engine erroneously shut off. During the failure, the message "put the vehicle in park and restart the vehicle with the ignition key" was displayed. The cause of the failure was not determined. Skyline Ford (2510 commercial St. SE, salem, or) was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 26,000.

- Mount Angel, OR, USA

problem #25

Oct 092019

Escape

  • 36,000 miles
The auto stop/start feature completely shuts the engine off when waiting at signal lights or other situations when stopping while the vehicle is in drive. There are alert chimes and a message to shift into park and restart vehicle appears on instrument panel. The problem started approx. October 9, 2019 and the vehicle was taken to the dealership October 17, 2019. Was told it was a faulty crank shaft sensor. The sensor was replaced along with a wiring harness. November 25th the car started having the same issues with shutting off when at signal lights. Called for an appointment the next day and was scheduled to bring the car in December 3, 2019. At this point, the dealership has had the car for 2 days and are saying they can't find an issue. Other people are experiencing the same issue and Ford is aware of the problem, but not fixing it. Documentation is attached showing repairs and an online post showing that Ford is aware of the problem and instructing mechanics not to attempt to fix until engineers find a solution. That was 10 months ago.

- Emmett, ID, USA

problem #24

Dec 032019

Escape

  • 68,000 miles
2017 Ford Escape SE cel came on. Had autozone put it on the computer and it gave a code PO301. Cel went out on 2 mile drive home. A few days passed cel came on again and went off again. Called dealership but light was out, they said code may not have been stored. Made an appointment after the 3rd cel on and then off. Mechanic called approx. 1 hr later and told me a new engine was needed because coolant leaked into the engine at a cost of $8000. This vehicle had turbo booster repaired/replaced twice after I complained about the total lack of acceleration and explaining that I felt I was going to die in this car when trying to merge into highway traffic. The first time they said it was fine and I would have to get used to this engine. I insisted that they test drive with me, they agreed that there was a problem. After the first repair, the same lack of acceleration occurred again. Again they replaced the turbo boost. This engine is unsafe and defective. This engine needs to be recalled. Ford needs to take responsibility for these failures. Vehicle has 70000 miles and Ford says there is nothing they can do, I am responsible to put a new engine into this vehicle.

- Palm Harbor, FL, USA

problem #23

May 082019

Escape

  • miles
The next day after purchase September 2018, I noticed a slight slippage to the transmission and took the car back because the warning lights were on and the car would proceed to move at a low speed. I was told the vehicles fluids needed to be changed. The next day the issue persisted, I returned to the dealership again and was told the brakes needed to be replaced. On both occasions the monster dealership handled this. The issue with feeling the transmission jerk continued. May 2019 the transmission failure appeared (codes listed below) it was serviced by a&B transmission. Withing 48 hours the issue returned. It appears as though the transmission overheats after driving short distances. After several attempts from may-July the issue could not be fixed and continues as of today. The delay in reporting is that I had no idea this was here, please advise I would like to resolve this. Code P0741-00 torque converter clutch solenoid circuit performance/ stuck off - current dtc - warning lamp on. Code P1744-00 torque converter clutch solenoid circuit performance/ stuck off - current dtc - warning lamp on. P1450-00 unable to bleed up fuel tank vaccum - -pending dtc - warninglamp on.

- Temple Hills, MD, USA

problem #22

Sep 012018

Escape

  • 14,642 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. While driving 75 mph in heavy traffic or while changing lanes, the accelerator pedal was applied and the vehicle hesitated. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to barber Ford of hazleton (1112 N church St, hazleton, pa 18201, (570) 454-2414), but they were unable to duplicate the failure or produce any failure codes; however, there was a slight hesitation. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: Cas 24051505. The contact was referred to the local dealer. The failure mileage was 14,642.

- Hazelton, PA, USA

problem #21

Apr 012019

Escape

  • miles
2017 Ford Escape. Consumer writes in regards to difficulty putting vehicle in reverse and not accelerating. The consumer stated that the engine had warped and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.

- Centereach, NY, USA

problem #20

Aug 142019

Escape

  • 94,500 miles
A vehicle that just turned three years old is having extreme powertrain transmission failure and electrical sensor issues! I am having to replace the transmission in a car that has only 90,000 miles and is costing me over $4000 out of pocket! electrical error are happening from light malfunctions to bulb errors, cross sensors, and more

- Burton, MI, USA

Read the next 19 complaints »