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 has evaluated turbochargers replaced for oil leak symptoms and although oil may collect on the external surface of a turbocharger, it is extremely rare for a turbocharger assembly to be the root cause of the oil leak. Careful inspection of the turbocharger oil feed and drain tubes should be performed along with the recommended WSM procedures as needed. Warranty claims for turbocharger replacement going forward will be assessed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Ford Escape engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Ford Escape have filed 1,660 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 79,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
1,660
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Escape | 1,034 |
| 2014 Escape | 660 |
| 2015 Escape | 187 |
| 2016 Escape | 170 |
| 2017 Escape (this page) | 1,660 |
| 2018 Escape | 1,193 |
| 2019 Escape | 302 |
| 2020 Escape | 57 |
| 2021 Escape | 24 |
3crashes
4fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 1,660 engine complaints filed for the 2017 Ford Escape, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Of the 20 model years of Ford Escape we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 1,660.
Engine accounts for 63% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
Some 2014-2020 Fusion and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles may be equipped with a 1.5L Ecoboost engine that uses a 50-tooth variable camshaft timing (VCT) intake and exhaust unit from the assembly plant or if a service long block was installed. VCT locking tool 303-1097 is not compatible with this system. If VCT system service is required, replace both the intake VCT (service part DS7Z-6256-F) and exhaust VCT (service part DS7Z-6256-G) as a pair. An interim loaner tool program has been established to enable these repairs. Contact 1-800-403-4844 (Monday-Friday 8:00am to 8:00pm EST; Saturday 8:00am to 3:00pm EST) to obtain this tool. A VCT locking tool compatible with the 50-tooth system is under dev
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2014-2019 Fusion vehicles built on or before 10-Jun-2019 and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles built on or before 08-Apr-2019 equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and/or runs rough condition with or without an illuminated malfunction indicator light (MIL) with only diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0300, P0301-P0304, P0316, P0217, P1285 and/or P1299 stored in powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to coolant intrusion into the cylinder. To resolve the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the short block and head gasket.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2018 Edge and 2017-2019 Fusion/MKZ/Escape/MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and/or a runs rough condition with or without an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL). Diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) may include P0300, P0301-P0304, P0316, P0217, P1285 and/or P1299 stored in powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to coolant intrusion into the cylinder. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the long block engine assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2017-2019 Model Year Fusion and Escape Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L GTDI Engine - Powertrain Control Module Reprogramming. Some of the affected vehicles may exhibit coolant intrusion into the cylinder bores. Customer symptoms include coolant loss, excessive tailpipe smoke, or illuminated malfunction indicator lights (MIL) due to engine misfire. Over time, this condition may damage the engine, requiring replacement of the engine short block.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2017 Ford Escapes with 1.5L or 2.0L EcoBoost engines describe a consistent failure pattern: coolant leaks from the engine block's cooling jacket into the combustion cylinders, a defect tied to the "open-deck" engine design Ford used in those years. Symptoms start as occasional white smoke at startup, progressive coolant loss with no visible external leak, and cylinder misfire codes (P0301–P0304). Many owners first replaced spark plugs and ignition coils for $400–$600, only to see the misfire return days or weeks later. Once the root cause is confirmed—usually after multiple dealer visits—the repair is a complete long-block engine replacement costing $5,100 to $16,000+, with 2–8 week turnaround times. Ford issued Technical Service Bulletins (19-2346, 22-2229) and Customer Satisfaction Programs (19B37, 21N12) acknowledging the issue, but coverage expired after specific mileage caps (typically 84,000 miles) and date thresholds (often November 2022). Owners outside those windows reported that Ford and dealerships denied goodwill assistance. A critical safety concern: several owners experienced sudden loss of engine power while driving at highway speeds, unable to accelerate or control their vehicle in traffic. One owner was nearly struck while crawling at 10 mph on a rush-hour freeway. Ford service reps acknowledged the widespread nature of the problem but provided no proactive warnings or repairs for vehicles approaching the failure window.
Same Ford Escape engine reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Coolant Intrusion into Cylinders with Head Gasket Failure
Coolant leaks from the cooling jacket into one or more engine cylinders due to head gasket failure or design flaws in the engine block (open-deck design in 1.5L and 2.0L EcoBoost engines). The intrusion corrodes cylinder walls, fouls spark plugs, contaminates oil, and eventually damages pistons and cylinder sleeves beyond repair.
When: Reported across mileage range of 27,000 to 141,000 miles; clusters of failures noted between 50,000–100,000 miles. Some failures occur within 1–2 years of purchase despite low mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: White smoke from exhaust on cold start or under load; Engine misfire (rough running, hesitation, lack of response to throttle); Coolant level drops repeatedly despite refills, no external leaks visible; Rough idle, shaking, or vibration at startup or while driving; Check engine light with codes P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0316, P0300 (cylinder misfire codes); Low coolant warnings without explanation; Engine overheating warnings; limp mode limiting speed to 10–15 mph; Cloudy or chocolate-colored oil indicating coolant in crankcase; Loss of power while accelerating or on highway
Codes mentioned: P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0316, P0300, P0456, P0031, P2601, P0217, P1285, P1299
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report repair costs ranging from $5,100 to $16,000+, typically involving complete long-block engine replacement (short block and head). Some cite water pump damage also requiring replacement. Labor times reported as 2–8 weeks. Post-repair warranty typically 3 years on the replacement engine. One owner reported replacement engine developed the same coolant intrusion issue 37,000 miles later.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued Technical Service Bulletins 19-2346 (for 1.5L engines), 19B37 (Customer Satisfaction Program for coolant intrusion, June 2019), 21N12 (Customer Satisfaction Program for short-block replacement, coverage through November 2022 for most vehicles), 22-2133, 22-2134, 22-2229. CSP programs expired after mileage and/or date thresholds (e.g., 84,000 miles or November 30, 2022 expiration dates). Some owners received recall letters but dealerships reported long lead times (3–8 weeks) for parts or deferred work. Ford has repeatedly denied goodwill coverage for vehicles outside the specified VIN ranges or expiration dates, citing warranty-expired status. Owners report Ford customer service representatives acknowledged the issue but provided no assistance. Several owners note Ford mentioned TSBs but took no proactive action prior to failure.
Repeated Misfire After Spark Plug and Ignition Coil Replacement
Owners replaced spark plugs and ignition coils based on cylinder misfire codes, but symptoms recurred within days to weeks, leading to a cascade of return visits and eventual discovery of the underlying coolant intrusion issue.
When: Typically within 50,000–100,000 miles; misfire codes recur 1–14 days after initial parts replacement.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light with P0301/P0302 codes indicating single-cylinder misfire; Engine hesitation or rough running; Light clears after spark plug/coil replacement but returns within days
Codes mentioned: P0301, P0302, P0303, P0316
Repairs/costs cited: Owners paid $400–$600 for spark plug and ignition coil replacement at independent shops or dealers, only to have the issue recur. Repeated diagnostic visits (often 2–4 visits per owner) before root cause identified. One owner replaced spark plugs and coils multiple times over several months before coolant intrusion confirmed.
Safety Risk from Sudden Engine Power Loss on Highway
Owners report sudden loss of engine power or severe hesitation while driving at highway speeds (65–68 mph) or in traffic, forcing them to limp off the road or narrowly avoid collision. One owner was nearly hit while unable to accelerate beyond 10–15 mph on a busy four-lane road during rush hour.
When: Occurs without warning; often first noticed after check engine light appeared or coolant intrusion confirmed.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden unresponsiveness to accelerator pedal while at cruise control; Violent vibration and rough engine operation; Inability to accelerate beyond 10–35 mph; Flashing check engine light; Engine stalling or limp mode
Codes mentioned: P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303
Repairs/costs cited: Owners unable to drive vehicle after onset; vehicle towed to dealership or repair facility. No repair attempted by owners prior to stopping use due to safety concerns.
Coolant Reservoir Leakage or Crack
Owners discovered leaking coolant reservoirs or spiderweb fractures in the plastic reservoir, resulting in coolant loss and triggering the chain of engine damage.
When: Reported once at ~60,000 miles in the complaint set.
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant level drops unexpectedly; Puddle of coolant under vehicle; Visible cracks in plastic reservoir
Codes mentioned: P2601
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported a $1,088 Ford dealership quote for reservoir repair before discovering the internal coolant leak; another independent shop found the issue and advised engine replacement.
Engine Block Cracking or Warping
In some cases, owners or mechanics identified aluminum engine block warping or cracking, with uneven cooling causing one side of the block to cool faster than the other, enabling coolant leakage into cylinders.
When: Reported across mileage range; one owner with only 27,381 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Shuddering or shaking on cold start; White smoke from exhaust; Coolant loss with no external leak
Repairs/costs cited: Owners reported service technicians noting that parts were on backorder due to high incidence of this issue. One owner's dealership advised that replacing just the head gasket would not permanently fix the problem; the entire long block must be replaced.
Synthesized from 1,660 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 13 most recent
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 causeing engines to event ually seize.
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 only 49,187 miles on the car, well under mileage warranty, but above the 7 year old car age warranty. I paid $8379.39…
At 29,314 miles, we experienced total engine failure where cylinder #2 failed and the whole engine failed and needed replaced. This car had impeccable maintenance and engine failure was not due to lack of maintenance. This was an issue with the engine itself and should not have happened.
Ford Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) number is 21-2269. The engine block is leaking coolant into the cylinders which causes the engine to report over heating.
Coolant intrusion on the 2.0 ecoboost engine diagnosed by a ford dealer service center and a well documented issue. The coolant intrusion causes the engine to misfire rendering the car unusable and a potential road hazard.
In January 2024, the check engine light came on and we had an ignition coil and spark plug replaced. Less than a week later, the check engine light came back on and diagnostics showed a "misfire" on the same coil. The technician noticed the coolant was empty, refilled and found coolant entering the cylinder while engine was cooling. Engine had a "failed head gasket or cracked/warped head." Had…
Coolant is leaking internally into motor. All gaskets, seals, hoses and radiator are operational with no issues. This is a hazzard and could/will result in damage and potentially serious harm. Dealer has indicated everything checks out and leak is internal intrusion. This is a known issue with Ford and they are unwilling to correct
mode code P0316 (random misfire), coolant leaks into #1 and #3 cylinders, requires long block engine replacement.
After 97,000 trouble free miles, the engine quit working. I took the car into the nearest Ford dealer service department. They concluded there was coolant intrusion to the cylinders, and I need to replace the motor with a long block. After looking into my issue I find this is a common and well documented issue with the Ford EcoBoost 3.0 engine. Ford customer service in Dearborn told me Ford knows…
Head gasket failed causing coolant to leak entirely. A KNOWN DEFECT.
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2017 Ford Escape?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 1660 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 709 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 59,999 and 102,000 miles, with the median around 79,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 59,999; a quarter make it past 102,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.