10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 9
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,956 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 #879

Oct 092024

Escape

  • miles
My ford escape had a recall for lower engine block back in late 2020. As of yesterday they are now telling me I need to get the same part they replaced then replaced again. Its been under 23k miles since the recall replacement was done and they want to charge me

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #878

Sep 152024

Escape

  • miles
Coolant intrusion in cylinders 1 & 2. If engine is not replaced it will cause engine to lock up. This is an issue that Ford knows about but there are no recalls.

- California , MO, USA

problem #877

Jul 012024

Escape

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at a moderate speed, the engine started to misfire while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and checked under the hood but could not determine the cause of the failure. Despite the failure, the contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence at slow speeds. The contact attempted to replace the spark plugs but the failure persisted. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the failure was likely caused by coolant intrusion into an engine cylinder. Two dealers were notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under recall or warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Lillington, NC, USA

problem #876

Oct 012024

Escape

  • miles
The vehicle began emitting white smoke from the exhaust upon start up after sitting cold. Smoke would disappear after warming up for a few seconds. The coolant was being slowly depleted from the reservoir. Spark plugs were inspected to find evidence of coolant burning in cylinders. Vehicle began running hot. Contacted service dealer for recalls, none related to issue. Contacted Ford customer service after finding this was a common issue with 1.5L engines. Ford stated my VIN wasn-??t one of the vehicles affected. Other people were describing in forums and dealer mentioned that the short block on the engine had to be replaced with a long block along with a new head gasket. Dealer informed this was an $8500 repair. Vehicle at risk of running hot, destroying the engine and its components. This could lead to engine locking up or other catastrophic failure during use, placing myself and my family in imminent danger. Vehicle isn-??t even paid off, Ford refuse to offer to assist with any of the cost or decree this a recall.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #875

Aug 052024

Escape

  • miles
I bought a used 2017 Ford Escape Titanium 1.5 with 58k miles. The vehicle started consuming coolant a slow level at around 60k miles. The condition would cause me to need to refill the coolant reservoir every 2-3 weeks. At around 65k miles the condition got extremely bad. The vehicle would run completely out of coolant every 2 days. The vehicle would run extremely rough or at times fail to start. Excessive shaking and white smoke also. Ford refused to repair the vehicle. Currently spending $12k out of pocket for a new 1.5 EcoBoost engine. The vehicle has been at Ford for over 2.5 months so far as of October 2024.

- Centreville, AL, USA

problem #874

Jan 052023

Escape

  • miles
These vehicles have a defect that causes coolant to leak into the engine-??s cylinders, which can cause corrosion, oil dilution and contamination, and engine failure; and Ford failed to disclose these defects create a safety risk, because the lack of coolant created by the leaks causes overheating and can result in the cylinder head cracking, total engine failure, and/or engine fires. My car has shut off with my [XXX] son in the vehicle with me while I was driving, I also have to put gas in my vehicle while the vehicle is powered on or else my vehicle will not start for 20 minutes and now if I leave it running while getting gas it shuts off completely right when I pull away from the gas pump. I contacted Ford when I had 87,977 miles on my vehicle and they refused to cover the repair or buy it back. My car claimed to be overheating during the middle of a winter blizzard and wouldn't even turn over. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Portage, MI, USA

problem #873

Sep 302024

Escape

  • miles
UPDATE TO TRACKING 11613924 AND 11617597: Due to the Coolant Intrusion on the 2.0L Escape that is a known issue, but has not been recalled yet, I had to replace my long block. Failure was at approximately 97500 and engine replacement was 97774. Engine replacement completed at a Ford dealership. $7,300 as the service manager might have taken pity on me, as he also stated this was a known issue. Original quote was $7,800. I had to max out a credit card to ensure that I have a safe and functional vehicle, instead of a garage ornament.

- North Royalton, OH, USA

problem #872

Sep 252024

Escape

  • miles
I believe I should not be charged for the needed repairs of my car. The dealership is charging me $7200 for repairs which I had nothing to do with. There are recalls pertaining to my vehicle. I posted the notes sent to me from the dealership. Note from tech: Verified the concern, engine has a misfire, CEL on some white smoke when started and also low on coolant. Hook up the IDS and found codes P0304, P0316 and P051B. Performed a cylinder balance test and found cylinder 4 misfiring. Performed a relative compression test and relative compression is ok. Reviewed mode 6 data and found cylinder 4 has been misfiring. During my visual inspection I found the coolant reservoir was empty/ low on coolant. Removed the cylinder 4 spark plug and the porcelain was cracked. Looked into the cylinder with my bore scope and the piston was clean aluminum indicating it has been steamed with coolant. Pressure test the cooling system and found cylinder 4 is seeping coolant into the cylinder. The short block will have to be replaced to fix the concern. I have contacted Ford corporate, the dealership, and the service/parts mgr has also contacted Ford pertaining to my situation. I bought my car with 41miles on it. My car only has 56,000 miles! Plus it has never had engine probs! Yet Ford corporate has denied the payment of the repairs due to my car's year (2017). I hope you can help in this situation. Ford corporate customer service said I could possibly be reimbursed by NHTSA if I go ahead and pay (because I need my car) the $7200 for the needed repairs. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Waco, TX, USA

problem #871

Sep 062024

Escape

  • miles
Cylinder (2) misfire causing coolant intrusion in engine block. Tested and failed damaged cylinder plug causing misfire. Engine ruined!

- Richland, WA, USA

problem #870

Jul 312024

Escape

  • miles
UNKNOWN. 2017 Ford Escape transmission went bad at 70k miles. After the June 2022 recall by ford on the Escapes transmission, the issues went downhill since then. It cost $8k to replace the transmission or $7k to rebuild the transmission according to Ford. Ford knows its transmissions in the older model escapes are faulty yet still would charge consumers an arm and a leg to replace or rebuild it. An investigation should be conducted into this transmission issue regarding the 2017 Escape and other 2013 - 2019 Escape models. It is not right to rip off consumers.

- Lakewood, CA, USA

problem #869

Oct 062024

Escape

  • miles
The engine was randomly low on coolant, so I refilled the reservoir 2 days ago. Now I received a service engine soon light triggered by code P0303, Cylinder 3 misfire. I believe that my vehicle is affected by the Ford 1.5L EcoBoost coolant leaking into the engine cylinder issue.

- Pikeville, NC, USA

problem #868

Sep 262024

Escape

  • 43,000 miles
The contact called on behalf of her daughter who owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle started, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in cylinder #4 and engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. Additionally, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty or recall. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

- Johns Creek, GA, USA

problem #867

Oct 012024

Escape

  • miles
Engine blew at 52,000 miles

- Canton, MI, USA

problem #866

Jan 042024

Escape

  • miles
Coolant leaking in engine. Thick white smoke coming from tail pipe

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #865

Aug 282024

Escape

  • miles
Dear All, I am reaching out to you regarding my 2017 Ford Escape (VIN: [XXX] ), which has only 72,900 miles and is showing error code P0303, indicating a serious engine failure due to coolant intrusion. My vehicle was manufactured in Louisville. On the morning of [XXX], the engine began to shake, and I had to have my car towed to the garage. I only received the diagnostic on [XXX]. The garage is unwilling to provide me with the full analysis (only the error code P0303) until I accept the repairs, and the repair estimate exceeds $12,000 (the engine needs to be replaced). In my opinion, my vehicle meets all the criteria for the Customer Satisfaction Program 19B37, which has no expiration date. This program concerns Ford Escapes manufactured in Louisville between September 17, 2015, and April 8, 2019 (which is the case with my vehicle). However, the garage claims my VIN number is not listed. Additionally, the 21N12 program covers vehicles with similar criteria, but FSA VIN lists will not be activated for this service action. As a result, I have not received any notification regarding issues with this vehicle, nor any notification regarding 19B37 program and the additional Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 (which allows for engine replacement for error codes like P0303, similar to my vehicle-??s issue). This situation has serious consequences for me, as I cannot afford such an expense, and as a student, I find myself without a vehicle. I believe that my vehicle qualifies for both of these actions (19B37 and 21N12) and I would like the repairs to be covered by Ford. I am attaching the two Ford documents related to these programs, as well as the CARFAX report for my vehicle. Thanks in advance. Best regards, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

problem #864

Sep 302024

Escape

  • 63,700 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for a diagnostic test. The contact was informed that the purge valve needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 63,700.

- Littleton, IL, USA

problem #863

Oct 022024

Escape

  • miles
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 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)

- Dunedin, FL, USA

problem #862

Jul 312024

Escape

  • miles
I was driving down the road and my vehicle stalled out and had little to no acceleration Was stuck in the middle of an intersection until I could move it to a parking lot putting my safety at risk. Dealer (Brondes Ford Toledo) ran codes, yet would not tell me the codes after they tried to charge $11,000. No Warning lights yet, had engine lights on until the dealer replaced Fuel vapor assembly and crankcase pressure sensor a little less than 30 days beforehand. After service Ford said it was good to go and stated this could not have been related to the bushing already recalled.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #861

Oct 012024

Escape

  • miles
UPDATE FOR TRACKING 11613924: Ford tech ran their diagnostics and have determined that it is still showing a Cylinder #2 misfire. They have advised me that I need a new Long Block and have quoted me at $7,800. Ford Corp states that there are no recalls, TSBs, or Customer Satisfaction posts that will cover my repairs, and I am out of any type of warranty for financial assistance from them for this known issue on the 2017 Escape 2.0L. I-??ve had this car for 2 years, put a little over 5k miles on it. Total mileage right now is less than 98K.

- North Royalton, OH, USA

problem #860

Oct 012024

Escape

  • miles
Found the dreaded coolant intrusion, with a misfire on cylinder four. The ford dealer found the design flaw of the slits cut in between the cylinders. The dealer is stating that the car needs a new lower block. No engine check lights on, motor lags as you take off from a stop. This i believe is dangerous to anyone driving this car with this known problem. After exploring the internet many other people are experiencing this same problem.

- Dayton, OH, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »