AI Damage2017 Ford Escape: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Ford Escape filed 2,698 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and engine and cooling. The maker issued 157 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 2,698
- involving a crash
- 39
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 157
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 59% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 19% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 5 Wheels 3% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 3% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 2% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 2% of all complaints
- Engine: 1,581 complaints (59% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
- Engine and cooling: 509 complaints (19% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 26.
- Powertrain: 391 complaints (14% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 20.
- Electrical system: 155 complaints (6% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 55.
- Wheels: 76 complaints (3% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 113 complaints
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 108 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 2,698 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,581 | 7 | 17 |
| Engine and cooling | 509 | 1 | 26 |
| Powertrain | 391 | 5 | 20 |
| Electrical system | 155 | 2 | 55 |
| Wheels | 76 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 72 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 62 | 3 | 6 |
| Service brakes | 49 | 2 | 11 |
| Steering | 48 | 2 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 39 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 31 | 6 | 1 |
| Fuel system | 22 | 0 | 1 |
| Air bags | 21 | 17 | 0 |
| Visibility | 15 | 0 | 6 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact immediately depressed the brake pedal with both feet in order to bring the vehicle to a complete stop; no warning lights were illuminated. The failure occurred on several occasions where the brake pedal failed to stop the vehicle.
Several unknown warning lights were illuminated after the crash. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained neck and back pain, and bruises on the chest from the seat belt. The contact received medical assistance. The vehicle was towed to an autobody repair shop.
No warning lights illuminated prior or after the crash. The air bags did not deploy. No injuries or medical attention were sought. A police report was not filed. An appointment with the dealer was scheduled to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired.
The check engine light flashed for a few seconds and then the whole car shut off while i was doing 70 on the highway. Thankfully nobody was hurt but i'm lucky to be alive. Cars swerving everywhere!
The seat belt retracted against the contact's chest causing the pacemaker in the contact’s chest to be pushed back, and the contact glasses broke during the impact. The contact sought medical attention to make sure the pacemaker was not damaged; the other driver was not injured. A police report was filed.
The contact stated that the vehicle rolled forward at approximately 2 MPH and lightly crashed into a vehicle in front of him. There was no damage or injuries. The contact was aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train), however, the part to do the repair was unavailable.
I was in an accident 12/24/2021due to other parties at fault, and my air bags did not deploy. The diagnostic with the collision Calliber (78216 zip code) reflected there was a faulty air bag and should have deployed . I suffered neck and back injuries.
The contact stated that while shifting the vehicle into park, the vehicle surged forward and went over an embankment without warning. The air bag deployed upon impact. The contact did not sustain any injuries and did not seek medical attention. A police report was filed.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 1% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Escape has 780 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 2,698, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Harvest Program 25H05 – Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software Verification Harvest…
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- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure
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- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes…
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in…
- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal…
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some…
- This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure
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- All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code
If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory…
- For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an…
For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford…
- In various 2017-2023 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, customers may receive a message in the FordPass or…
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- The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be…
The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be presently available in a TSB, SSM, GSB, or other electronic communication. This article includes information on…
- For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely…
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- Some 2014-2020 Fusion and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles may be equipped with a 1.5L Ecoboost engine that uses…
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NHTSA lists 157 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ford Escape?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, engine and cooling, powertrain. Total complaints: 2,698. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (44%), overheating, coolant loss (24%), engine failure or replacement (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Ford Escape?
NHTSA lists 157 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 Ford Escape from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.