NHTSA vehicle safety data
2017 Ford Escape Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2017 Ford Escape has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2,701 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2017 Ford Escape, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2017 Ford Escape owner complaints
Owners have filed 2,701 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Ford Escape, describing incidents dated September 27, 2016 to October 24, 2026.
Most-cited components
- Engine 1,996 complaints
- Power Train 391 complaints
- Electrical System 155 complaints
- Unknown or Other 155 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 95 complaints
- Wheels 76 complaints
Of the 2,701 complaints on file, 39 report a crash and 15 a fire; across all 2,701 complaints, owners report 56 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11774063 · Filed
1. The EcoBoost engine block suffered a severe structural failure caused by a factory manufacturing defect known as internal cylinder block coolant intrusion (as documented in Ford TSB 19-2208). Antifreeze leaks directly past the cylinder wall block grooves into the combustion chambers. This vehicle…
ODI #11773927 · Filed
THE ENGINE HASCOOLING INTRUSION TO DO MANUFRATURE DEFECT
ODI #11773171 · Filed
While operating the vehicle, the engine experienced a loss of power accompanied by a strong burning oil odor. Inspection revealed engine oil leaking from the camshaft cover assembly and onto the exhaust system, creating a potential fire hazard. Mechanical diagnosis determined that cylinder #4 had…
Owner-reported
2017 Ford Escape mileage at failure
1,156 of the 2,701 complaints on file for the 2017 Ford Escape give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.
| Component | Median | Middle half | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | Median 80,000 miles | Middle half 60,000–105,000 miles | Based on 812 complaints |
| Power Train | Median 90,000 miles | Middle half 60,000–115,000 miles | Based on 157 complaints |
| Electrical System | Median 55,000 miles | Middle half 25,000–100,000 miles | Based on 83 complaints |
A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.
Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.
These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.
Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.
Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out
Window Automatic Reversal System Malfunction/FMVSS 118
NHTSA #26V374000 · Visibility — Power Window Devices and Controls · NHTSA notice
Reported June 9, 2026 · Ford Motor Company
Potentially affected: 18,124 vehicles
Repair completion: 14.21% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Ford campaign 26C29 · Owners notified July 22, 2026 · Vehicles built October 8, 2015 – January 15, 2017 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Escape vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 16V617. The power-operated windows may exert excessive force when encountering an object, before they automatically reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
Safety consequence
A closing window that does not reverse direction as expected can pinch a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will update the power window operating system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 22, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C29. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.
Engine Block Heater May Short Circuit and Cause Fire
NHTSA #26V011000 · Equipment — Electrical — Engine Block Heater · NHTSA notice
Reported January 15, 2026 · Ford Motor Company
Potentially affected: 116,672 vehicles
Completion not yet reported (dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Ford campaign 26S01
Defect description
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Safety consequence
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable
NHTSA #22V413000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Gear Position Indication (PRNDL) · NHTSA notice
Reported June 10, 2022 · Ford Motor Company
Potentially affected: 2,925,968 vehicles
Repair completion: 73.12% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Ford campaign 22S43 · Owners notified October 27, 2022
Defect description
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Safety consequence
A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Power Window Force may be Excessive/FMVSS 118
NHTSA #16V617000 · Visibility — Power Window Devices and Controls · NHTSA notice
Reported August 24, 2016 · Ford Motor Company
Potentially affected: 17,985 vehicles
Repair completion: 83.01% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Ford campaign 16C12 · Owners notified September 6, 2016 · Vehicles built October 5, 2015 – May 12, 2016 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2017 Ford Escape Titanium and SE vehicles manufactured October 5, 2015, to May 12, 2016. The settings for the closing-force of the power-operated windows may allow the windows to close on an object such as a body part and injure it before the windows auto-reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
Safety consequence
If a window closes on a body part, it can increase the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
Ford has notified owners, and dealers will update the power window operating system software, free of charge. The recall began on September 6, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C12.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Ford Escape model years
Check your 2017 Ford Escape VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Escape at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Ford VIN