Some 2017 Escape and MKC vehicles equipped with a 1.5L, 2.0L or 2.3L engine may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0455, P0456, P144C and/or P1450 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) memory. Vehicles may also exhibit a rough idle and/or slow fuel fill concern. If normal diagnosis leads to the replacement of the canister purge valve then inspect for the presence of liquid fuel in the vapor lines at the EVAP canister purge valve and the EVAP canister. Liquid fuel should not be present in the EVAP canister purge valve, EVAP canister or any of the vapor lines. Engineering is investigating this concern. Monitor OASIS for updates.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Ford Escape fuel system problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Ford Escape have filed 18 NHTSA complaints about the fuel system, typically surfacing around 88,000 miles at roughly $1,200 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See fuel system across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
| Model year | fuel system complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Escape | 34 |
| 2014 Escape | 15 |
| 2015 Escape | 4 |
| 2016 Escape | 9 |
| 2017 Escape (this page) | 18 |
| 2018 Escape | 9 |
| 2019 Escape | 7 |
| 2020 Escape | 109 |
| 2021 Escape | 40 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering fuel system 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 purge control valve is the dominant complaint across 2017 Escape fuel systems. Owners describe check engine lights illuminating, difficulty or failure to start after refueling, stalling at traffic lights and during acceleration, and rough idle. Diagnostic codes P1450 and P0450 point to evaporative emissions and fuel tank vacuum issues. The problem appears as early as 63,700 miles. Ford has issued recalls (22V413000, 18V735000), but owners report a nationwide parts shortage—one owner noted over 1,100 Escapes waiting for the same part in one region alone. Dealers cannot provide delivery dates, and aftermarket suppliers cannot keep up with Ford's priority demand.
Beyond the purge valve, owners report high-pressure fuel pump failures causing sudden power loss at highway speeds (65–70 MPH), with recurrence within months of replacement. One owner faced engine replacement after a fuel pump tappet fractured, scattering metal debris through the engine and blocking oil flow. A cracked fuel injector also caused catastrophic engine damage. One fuel pump required three replacements. Another owner experienced fuel pump control module communication loss at just 25,500 miles, causing stalling that dealers could not duplicate.
Owners express fear of driving these vehicles due to unpredictable stalling and starting failures. Several mention the repair costs and unavailability of parts as barriers to resolution.
Same Ford Escape fuel system reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Purge Control Valve Failure
Canister/purge control valve becomes faulty, causing check engine light, misfires after fueling, difficulty starting after refueling, stalling, rough idle, and jerking. Owners report the part is subject to recall (NHTSA 22V413000, 18V735000) with widespread parts shortage affecting over 1100 Escapes in some regions.
When: 85,000 to 122,089 miles; some at 63,700 miles
Symptoms owners cite: check engine light; misfires after fueling; difficulty starting after refueling; stalls when accelerating; vehicle stalls at traffic light; rough idle; jerking or lurching; unable to start while at fuel pump
Codes mentioned: P1450, P0450
Repairs/costs cited: Purge valve replacement; aftermarket part cost ~$85. Parts availability severely constrained; multiple recalls delayed or unfulfilled due to nationwide shortage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall Campaign 22V413000 (Powertrain) and 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) issued; parts unavailable; Ford Motor Company has priority demand with aftermarket suppliers; some owners advised no recall exists when contacting manufacturer.
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Tappet Fracture
High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) tappet fractures, shedding metal debris into engine that blocks oil flow, damages unknown engine parts, and necessitates engine replacement. Dealership confirmed failure not accident-related.
When: 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: loss of motive power; hesitation to accelerate; RPM revving significantly; vehicle unable to exceed 30 MPH; check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; owner referred to NHTSA Hotline.
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure (Recurring)
High-pressure fuel pump fails, causing loss of motive power while driving. Vehicle loses fuel pressure, stalls, and becomes undrivable. Failure recurs within six months of repair.
When: 85,000 miles (recurred less than six months after first repair)
Symptoms owners cite: loss of motive power at highway speed (~65 MPH); check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: HPFP replaced but failure persisted within six months.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified.
Fuel Pump Control Module Communication Loss
Fuel pump control module loses communication, causing vehicle stalling at low speed (traffic light, left turn). Module may relate to evaporative emissions control or fuel delivery system.
When: 25,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: vehicle stalls at traffic light; vehicle stalls during left turn; check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosis performed but failure could not be duplicated; vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; dealer unable to reproduce issue.
Cracked Fuel Injector
Fuel injector in cylinder #3 cracks and leaks fuel into cylinder, creating a hole in the cylinder and piston/engine. Engine replacement required.
When: 92,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: shuddering; stalling while driving at 70 MPH; check engine light; vehicle undrivable after stall
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; vehicle not repaired due to cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; owner referred to NHTSA Hotline.
Fuel Pump Failure (Multiple Replacements)
Fuel pump fails repeatedly, causing jerking, stalling, hesitation while accelerating, fuel smell on spark plugs, and startup delays. Replaced three times but failure recurs.
When: 75,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: jerking and stalling while driving at various speeds; hesitation while accelerating; failure to start immediately; fuel odor on spark plugs
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump replaced three times; failure recurred after each replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not yet contacted.
Engine and Transmission Failure (Secondary to Purge Valve)
After purge valve replacement fails to resolve misfire, subsequent diagnosis reveals engine and transmission failure requiring replacement of both components.
When: 120,632 miles
Symptoms owners cite: check engine light; misfire in cylinder #2
Repairs/costs cited: Purge valve replaced but failure recurred; engine and transmission replacement estimated at three weeks repair time.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; case filed.
Evaporative Emissions System Failure (P0450)
Evaporative emissions system fails, triggering check engine light with fault code P0450. Issue persists across multiple diagnostic attempts.
When: 122,089 miles
Symptoms owners cite: check engine light
Codes mentioned: P0450
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired; code retrieved twice by independent mechanic.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; case filed; dealer made aware.
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had fuel system 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 fuel system problem on the 2017 Ford Escape?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 18 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,200 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most fuel system failures cluster between 70,000 and 110,000 miles, with the median around 88,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 70,000; a quarter make it past 110,000. 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 $1,200 for fuel system 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 fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system 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.