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ProblemsByVinFile / 2017-FORD-ESCAPENHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Ford
2017 Ford Escape problems
The 2017 Ford Escape has 2,642 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 4 active recall campaigns.
The 2017 Ford Escape has 2,642 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 1,675 complaints, typically surfacing around 81,313 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2017 Escape?
High-risk ownership
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Body: 55 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 20,000–60,000 mi
Steering: 48 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 24,000–59,555 mi
Reliability score 5.4/10 — around the segment average
4 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2017 Ford Escape SUV FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2017 Ford Escape? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
engine — 1675 owner reports
· tends to show around 81,313 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
powertrain — 371 owner reports
· tends to show around 77,280 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
electrical — 123 owner reports
· tends to show around 50,308 mi · ~$850 to fix
wheels — 71 owner reports
· tends to show around 46,672 mi · ~$400 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: body is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 41,899 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 4 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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After the 1.6L EcoBoost fires of 2013-2016, Ford swapped to a 1.5L EcoBoost on the 2017 Escape. Same problem. Different displacement. The 1.5L cracks coolant into the cylinders the same way the 1.6L did.
What changed (and what didn’t)
The 1.5L EcoBoost (engine code GTDI 1.5L, internal Sigma family) was Ford’s response to the 1.6L’s reputation. Smaller bore, same architecture, same coolant-routing problem in the cylinder head. Coolant ends up in the cylinder, the engine misfires, the long block needs replacement. Ford issued NHTSA campaign 22V-866 in 2022 covering 1.5L EcoBoost coolant intrusion — five years after the engines started failing. The fix is replacement of the short block or full engine under campaign.
On a 2017 Escape today, the first thing to check is whether the 22V-866 campaign work is documented complete. No paper = walk. Same rule as the 1.6L.
The 2.0L EcoBoost option is also still on the menu in 2017 with its own wet-belt-in-oil failure mode (typically 80k-120k miles, $1,800-2,800 if caught before bottom-end damage). The wet belt is not a recall — just inherited bad engineering. See the 2014 Escape story for the wet-belt deep-dive.
6F35 still there
Same six-speed automatic. Same shudder, hard shifts, delayed engagement. Same reflash TSBs from Ford. Same lack of a redesigned valve body. See the 6F35 PowerShift research piece and the transmission pillar for the broader picture.
What’s actually new in 2017
A redesigned center stack with Sync 3 replaces the disastrous MyFord Touch from the 2013-2016 cars. That’s the one positive change. Sync 3 isn’t perfect but it’s not the system that pushed the 2013 Edge to #3 on the complaint leaderboard.
Verdict
Almost identical to the 2013-2016 buying logic: 1.5L EcoBoost is buyable only with 22V-866 campaign work documented complete. 2.0L is buyable with the wet belt costed in. 2.5L four-cylinder is the most boring option and the safest mechanical bet. All three pair with the same 6F35.
On any out-of-warranty 2017 Escape, run the warranty math — the combination of EcoBoost engine risk + 6F35 risk makes this exactly the buy-the-coverage case the calculator is built for.
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2017 Escape· body
Two different things are happening with my car. 1) the paint is chipping and has caused corrosion on the body. Apparently this is a known issue but the peeling/chipping has gotten worse and will keep doing so until it is fixed. 2) car keep running hot and losing coolant but no…
While driving vehicle at night on [XXX] to Richmond, VA my headlights both stopped working completely. The only way I could see was by turning on my high beam headlights. The high beam headlights worked fine. There was no warning lights, no sounds, the interior lights and…
Vehicle is slowly losing collant, and when I park I get a strong smell of collant. I took vehicle to have collant flushed and was took system was ok. From what I have researched is that there is a history of coolant entering engine cylinder because of defective engine and…
Engine failure due to multiple coolant failures, due to poor design of the long engine block. Ford removed and replaced the long block in full, but it was out of warranty. There are multiple class action lawsuits against Ford for the defecting engine block design. There was…
Had a problem with your 2017 Ford Escape?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Escape vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 16V617
A closing window that does not reverse direction as expected can pinch a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
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
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.
Fix: 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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.4 out of 10 based on 2,642 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Ford Escape has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2017 Ford Escape?
The 2017 Ford Escape is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Body: 55 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 20,000–60,000 mi; Steering: 48 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 24,000–59,555 mi; Reliability score 5.4/10 — around the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2017 Ford Escape?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 1,675 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 81,313 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2017 Ford Escape a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 2,642 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 81,313 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2017 Ford Escape?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 1,675 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 81,313 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 81,313 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford Escape has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2017 Ford Escape?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 2,642 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Ford/Escape.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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