10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,580 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 #53

Feb 222021

Escape

  • 88,000 miles
The contact's wife owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The contact pushed the vehicle out of the roadway. The contact stated that the service transmission now message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer cavender Ford (4860 interstate 10 frontage rd, columbus, tx 78934, (855)874-2232) where a diagnostic test was still pending. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

- Rock Island, TX, USA

problem #52

Jan 162021

Escape

  • 36,000 miles
36,000 miles and coolant leaked into engine. Dealership told me they have to replace the long block, basically replace the engine. It's been a month now and no work has been started. This engine leak issue on the Ford ecoboost 1.5L engine has been known to Ford Motor Co. Since at least 2015.

- Stephentown, NY, USA

problem #51

Jan 262021

Escape

  • 93,000 miles
Transmission went with only 93,000 miles on vehicle. When driving it was hesitant to go when I was stopped at a red light. I was almost rear ended because of it. Car didn't want to go in reverse. Thankfully I was able to make it to mechanic just in time before car was totally out of commission.

- Apollo Beach, FL, USA

problem #50

Feb 052021

Escape

  • 65,000 miles
Recurring issue with the same ignition coil/spark plug complex where the engine will misfire on a cold start. I have replaced the ignition coil 3 times and each time it fails within 3 weeks. I have had the engine pressure tested and there are no issues that would cause misfiring. This appears to be an electrical feedback issue.

- League City, TX, USA

problem #49

Dec 142020

Escape

  • 91,790 miles
I purchased a 2017 Ford Escape 4 months ago. Monday my transmission went out. With less than 100,000 miles on it. I was stopped when the car jerked, I tried pressing the gas and it wouldn't go just the engine revived, it finally jumped into gear and I was able to get home. I took it to the Ford dealership the next day and got a recall fixed for the powertrain control module, hoping that would help the issue, only to get a call saying I need a new transmission.

- Bayonne, NJ, USA

problem #48

Nov 022020

Escape

  • 124,514 miles
The vehicle was in the driveway and started rough. The code from the check engine light indicated a cylinder misfire. After fixing the issue, the vehicle was driven to work. On the way home from work, the vehicle ran rough and there was a significant loss of power and rough idle. Following this, the engine overheating indicator came on. There was no coolant in the reservoir, and no signs of leaking under the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a Ford garage where it was determined the vehicle needs the long block engine replaced.

- Gerrardstown, WV, USA

problem #47

Nov 102020

Escape 4-cyl

  • 84,500 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that a transmission flush was performed during a regular maintenance repair however, the following day the vehicle failed to shift into reverse. After several attempts the vehicle shifted into reverse. While stopped at a traffic light, the engine revved up however, the vehicle failed to move forward. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and the vehicle lunged forward. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to Suburban Ford of sterling heights (40333 van dyke ave, sterling heights, mi 48313, (586) 268-7500) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact declined to pay to have the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure and a case was filed for financial assistance which was later denied. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 84,500.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

problem #46

Nov 012020

Escape

  • 67,000 miles
Car lost power while driving. No warning lights. No problems prior to this. Had to have it towed to the dealership. They checked it out and said it needs a new transmission. $6400. Car is four years old with 67,000 miles on it. Power train warranty only lasted until 60,000 miles.

- Waverly, TN, USA

problem #45

Aug 022020

Escape

  • 46,000 miles
August 2020 I was told my radiator hose came off. $500 to put back on, 3 days later had to replace the lainscott turbo cylenoid $1700, 2 days later cracked flex plate, unknown amount $ due to powertrain warranty coverage. 2 weeks later told oil is leaking into valve covers. As of today Oct. 3, 2020 for the last 2 weeks powertrain AWD malfunction could not get an appt at Ford until Oct 6. last sat engine failure no radiator fluid. There is major malfunctioning of this car due to hurricane sally we lost a bridge here I now have to drive I10 in major traffic and I am afraid for my safety

- Gulf Breeze, FL, USA

problem #44

Sep 212020

Escape

  • 92,000 miles
While driving my 2017 Ford Escape on a town street at a rate of 35 mph my transmission began slipping. A warning light came on stating alert transmission fault service now. I took it to a mechanic immediately and was told that my transmission has failed and I will need to have a new one at a cost between $4000 to $5000. My vehicle has $92,000 miles. Ford is unwilling to help with the cost of this repair. I talked with a chris avery (cavery@Ford.com) he said there is not a recall on their transmissions. How does a three year old vehicle have a transmission go out?

- Tarkio, MO, USA

problem #43

Sep 092020

Escape

  • 57,000 miles
My car began losing power, coolant level dropping. No coolant on ground though. Car did not overheat. However I could smell the burning antifreeze while parked, idling and while driving. Ford dealership originally told me they thought coolant was leaking into engine. Then had another technician tell me it's just a water pump leak. I contacted lawyer. As should you. We need to start class action law suit. The problem is coolant getting into engine and all through oil. Contact bad products law please ! I am hoping Ford will do the right thing here and not band aid repair my car. Hopefully no one has to be injured or die before they recall this issue.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #42

Jun 052018

Escape

  • 23,475 miles
I purchased a Ford Escape in December of 2017. In June of 2018 I brought it in to a Ford dealer due to the car pulling forward when it shifted it was 23,475 mileage. The dealerships mechanic tested it for transmission codes and came up with P0300. He test drove and checked fluid level and said it was ok. March 2019 at 39,473 mileage I took it to the dealership because it would jump when I shift into reverse. They did an transmission diagnosis and stated no codes appeared. They did a ids scan tool to watch some type of data and found a line pressure higher than normal during engagement, they reset it. Cleared transmission adaptive tables. August 2020 took it back to dealership at 80,462 mileage because it would lunge forward at a stopping position at acceleration. The dealership mechanic performed a atd automatic transmission diagnosis, found no codes stored, however, found the transmission fluid very black and burnt. They found when test driving harsh up and down shift. They told me they had to overhaul the transmission to find the problem. They quoted me $ 2000-5000 price. I did not have it. It has been three weeks and I am concerned if my transmission fluid was black and burnt why did they not change it? they only charged me for the transmission diagnosis.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #41

Jun 012020

Escape 4-cyl

  • 50,300 miles
At 50000 miles my check engine light started coming on, my vehicle was driving rough and jolting and I would randomly loose coolant without any exterior leak which of course then my vehicle would start to overheat so I took it in. Luckily barely being within warranty come to find out it was a defect I had a cracked engine block, so my entire engine has to be replaced. One month later I finally get my car back to find while driving it home was extremely loud had no power to accelerate which would shoot up the rpms. Ford dismissed it as a simple fix and after they returned my car in less then 1 day this was yesterday, today I go to drive it to now have an error message displaying: Transmission fault service now. They of course arnt open on the weekends and luckily I wasn't stranded yet but this still means I have to wait until Monday. This has all gone on within the past week and the only thing they are doing so far is giving the repair a 2 year warranty. Googling this issue unfortunately after experiencing this personally this seems to be common with these vehicles.

- Seguin, TX, USA

problem #40

Jul 012019

Escape

  • 70,000 miles
Would shift hard after a fresh start. Would no longer catch gear. After about 3 restarts, it was no longer drivable. Had to have towed to a garage to have transmission replaced with a new one.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

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

Read the next 20 complaints »