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ProblemsByVin File / 2017-FORD-ESCAPE
2017 · ford

ford Escape problems

1 safety recall. 2,529 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.0 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
1590 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
powertrain
355 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
electrical
119 reports · avg $850
severe
wheels
71 reports · avg $400
moderate
body
55 reports · avg $1,500
severe
steering
48 reports · avg $700
severe
brakes
35 reports · avg $450
severe
lighting
27 reports · avg $250
moderate

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…
12/31/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11708001.0
2017 Escape · lighting
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…
12/31/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11708079.0
2017 Escape · engine
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…
12/31/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11708094.0
2017 Escape · engine
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…
12/31/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11708104.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 16V617000 24/08/2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2017 Ford Escape Titanium and SE vehicles manufactured October 5, 2015, to May 12, 2016

If a window closes on a body part, it can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2017 Ford Escape reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.0 out of 10 based on 2,529 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.

What's the most common problem on the 2017 Ford Escape?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 1,590 complaints filed. 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. 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 2,529 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 aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 15 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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