Some 2017 Escape vehicles equipped with a 1.5L Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection (GTDI) or a 2.0L GTDI engine, built on or before 20-Aug-2016 and equipped with remote start and adaptive cruise control may exhibit DTC U0104 (lost communication with cruise control module) stored in powertrain control module (PCM) memory. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Ford Escape cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Ford Escape have filed 19 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 10,800 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Escape | 52 |
| 2014 Escape | 18 |
| 2015 Escape | 7 |
| 2016 Escape | 15 |
| 2017 Escape (this page) | 19 |
| 2018 Escape | 12 |
| 2019 Escape | 3 |
| 2020 Escape | 10 |
| 2021 Escape | 3 |
4crashes
1fire
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 19 cruise control complaints filed for the 2017 Ford Escape, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Ford Escape complaints cluster around two critical failure categories that go well beyond cruise-control function.
Engine defects: Owners describe a documented manufacturing flaw in 1.5L EcoBoost engines where coolant leaks into combustion chambers and oil contaminates the coolant system. One owner saw milky tan-brown sludge in the reservoir; another faced an engine fire at a toll booth after loss of power; a third had the engine seize mid-highway and restart with severe shaking. Mechanics confirm P0304 misfire codes and state engine replacement is the only remedy—costs exceed vehicle value. Owners note Ford issued TSB 19-2346 and Customer Satisfaction Program 21N08 but no recall, and warranty programs have unexplained expiration terms.
Acceleration and braking failures: Multiple owners describe sudden unintended acceleration during parking and low-speed maneuvers, with brakes becoming completely ineffective—resulting in crashes into buildings, trees, and utility poles. Others report sudden power loss at highway speeds, stalling during traffic, and the car lurching forward at intersections while stopped. Dealerships have test-driven these vehicles 25+ times without reproducing the faults, and Ford states no bulletins exist despite the pattern.
Owners emphasize that dealerships downplay these as design features or declare the vehicle "operating as designed" rather than investigating root causes. One owner faced police charges for a crash caused by loss of brake control.
Same Ford Escape cruise control reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2016 · 2018 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Coolant Intrusion into Engine
Engine block design flaw allows coolant to leak into combustion chambers and engine oil to contaminate the cooling system. Owners report milky, tan-brown sludge in coolant reservoir confirming cross-contamination.
When: Variable; one owner at 42,384 miles (April), another at 64,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Milky tan-brown sludge in coolant reservoir; Check engine light and 'Engine Fault Service Now' warning; Sloshing noise from engine after shutdown; High engine temperature warnings; White smoke from exhaust; Engine misfires; Loss of power and acceleration; Sudden engine stall during operation
Codes mentioned: P0304 (misfire on cylinder 4)
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; owners cite repair costs exceeding vehicle value; dealership confirmed coolant entering cylinder 4
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Customer Satisfaction Program 21N08, Technical Service Bulletin 19-2346 mentioned; no recall issued; warranty/repair programs appear to have expiration limitations
Sudden Loss of Power and Stalling on Braking
Engine shuts down suddenly when braking, particularly during city driving or at traffic intersections. Occurs after repair attempts that fail to resolve underlying condition.
When: First incident September 8th at parking lot; recurred September 22nd at busy intersection; incidents noted early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stops suddenly when braking; Manual start required message on dashboard; Engine will not restart immediately; Occurs during rain and heavy traffic conditions; Vehicle stalls mid-traffic creating traffic hazard
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership attempted repair September 13th; problem recurred September 22nd; fuse swap temporarily restored function
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Customer Service declined buyback; stated vehicle does not meet repurchase requirements under state guidelines
Unintended Acceleration and Loss of Brake Control
Vehicle accelerates suddenly without driver input, often triggered by braking or parking maneuvers. Brakes become ineffective during events. Multiple owners experienced crashes and collisions.
When: One incident at shopping center parking lot; one at toll booth (after check engine light came on previous day); one at parking intersection; one during parking in garage with Eco mode; incidents across range of mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs to near redline without driver input; Brake pedal has no effect during acceleration surge; Car lurches forward uncontrollably; Occurs during low-speed parking and highway driving; Check engine light present during some events; Smoke fills interior during one incident; Engine fire under hood (one incident)
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle: fire extinguisher used by state police; $15,000 damage in crash; another owner reported building damage and personal injury (fractured ribs, bruising, neck pain); dealership unable to replicate in multiple test drives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford stated no bulletins or complaints on record; one dealer reported system operating as designed with auto stop/start activation; manufacturer claim open on one vehicle with no mechanical problems identified
Acceleration Hesitation and Surging
Vehicle hesitates when accelerating from stop, then surges forward unexpectedly. Occurs during normal acceleration from parking and low-speed maneuvers. Inconsistent throttle response.
When: Early ownership (14,642 miles noted); 5,000 miles; 60,000 miles; recurring at low speeds with Eco mode engaged
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation upon acceleration from stop; Sudden surge forward after hesitation; Poor acceleration response at low speeds; Check engine light illuminated; Occurs with accelerator pedal fully depressed; Surging when Eco mode on and parking on incline; Vibration and increased engine noise
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealership visits (at least six at one dealer) unable to replicate; one mechanic unable to determine cause; vehicle not repaired; accelerator pedal binding diagnosed and repaired at one dealer (74,312 miles)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford had no bulletins or complaints on record per one dealer; electronic throttle body tested with no codes found; manufacturer provided case number (CAS 24051505) but did not repair
Deceleration and Power Loss While Driving
Vehicle suddenly loses power and decelerates to very low speeds without driver input. Occurs at highway speeds and during normal driving. Check Manual warning and loss of throttle response.
When: 64,000 miles (one case); 40 mph city driving (one case); highway at 70+ mph (one case)
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden deceleration from highway speed; Zero gas pedal response; Vehicle slows to 8 mph; Check Manual message on driver information screen; Check engine light on; Engine still running but unresponsive; Vehicle shaking as if overheating
Codes mentioned: Multiple unknown codes cleared by independent mechanic
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic cleared codes; owner warned codes would recur; one case with overheating; owner states engine light on and shaking; dealership found no codes after test driving
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware of one case; dealer unable to replicate failure; no repair completed; owner reports dealership told him issue is known problem with coolant leak into engine
Engine Overheating and Shutdown
Engine overheats and shuts down while driving at highway speeds. Owner reports known issue of coolant intrusion; engine shakes severely after restart.
When: Highway driving at 70+ mph
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheats on highway; Engine shuts off; Check engine light illuminates after restart; Engine shaking like crazy; No power after restart
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership confirmed known problem with coolant leak into engine; engine replacement reportedly needed but owner states Ford refusing to fix
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford refusing to replace engine per owner; issue acknowledged by dealership as known problem affecting thousands of owners
Uncontrolled Engine Revving at Stop
While stopped at traffic light, engine begins racing at elevated RPM without driver input. Vehicle lurches forward uncontrollably. Brakes ineffective.
When: While stopped at intersection after normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: RPM rises from normal 600 to 1,200+ RPM; Vibration of car at stop; Engine noise increases dramatically; Physical lunge forward uncontrollable; Brake pedal completely ineffective; Engine racing wide open
Repairs/costs cited: Owner hit traffic light pole attempting to steer away from intersection traffic
Engine Cylinder Crack and Fluid Leak
Engine block assembly defect causes cylinder to crack, allowing fluid to leak in. Occurs in vehicles from specific manufacturing plant with known line issue.
When: While driving through busy street after school pickup
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle buckles suddenly; Engine stalls; Near t-bone collision incident
Repairs/costs cited: Cylinder crack confirmed by service person
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued CSPs and TSBs regarding the issue but has not issued recall; will not cover repair costs or offer pre-failure fixes
Auto Start/Stop System Malfunction
Auto start/stop system does not disengage properly or causes sudden deceleration on highway. Vehicle defaults to auto stop/start activation creating safety hazard during highway driving.
When: Highway driving at high speed; low-speed parking situations
Symptoms owners cite: Auto start/stop system malfunction warning on highway; Vehicle deceleration on highway with no ability to accelerate; Warning message requiring shift to Park and engine restart while on highway; Surging during low-speed parking with Eco/auto stop/start on
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer reported system operating as designed when auto stop/start activated; considered design feature rather than defect
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Ford escape. While attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle did not respond and then suddenly surged forward. The contact stated that the failure occurred ever since the vehicle was purchased in 2016. The vehicle was taken to barber Ford of hazleton (1112 n church st, hazleton, pa 18202) at least six times, but they were not able to replicate the failure. The…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2017 Ford Escape?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2017 Ford Escape?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 5,000 and 34,800 miles, with the median around 10,800. A quarter of owners report trouble before 5,000; a quarter make it past 34,800. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Ford/Escape.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.