Some 2013-2018 Escape vehicles may exhibit damaged or delaminated bushing(s) on the rear suspension front lower arm (dog bone). If the rear suspension front lower arm requires replacement, an updated part is available through the parts catalog. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 204-02 for removal and installation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Ford Escape suspension problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Ford Escape have filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the suspension at roughly $900 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See suspension across all vehicles →
| Model year | suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Escape | 24 |
| 2014 Escape | 15 |
| 2015 Escape | 10 |
| 2016 Escape | 4 |
| 2017 Escape (this page) | 8 |
| 2018 Escape | 9 |
| 2019 Escape | 3 |
| 2020 Escape | 8 |
| 2021 Escape | 6 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension 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 2013-2018 Escape vehicles may exhibit damaged or delaminated bushing(s) on the rear suspension front lower arm (dog bone). If the rear suspension front lower arm requires replacement, an updated part BV6Z-5500-D with a solid bushing is available. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 204-02 for removal and installation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SOME 2015-2017 ESCAPE AND MKC VEHICLES WITHOUT A VEHICLE DYNAMIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND BUILT ON 1-APR-2015 AND THROUGH 1-OCT-2016 MAY EXHIBIT A RATTLE AND/OR CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS AND/OR MAKING TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS. SUSPECT REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS WILL COMPRESS 2-5 INCHES OF TRAVEL BEFORE SIGNIFICANT RESISTANCE IS OBSERVED. IF WORKSHOP MANUAL (WSM), SECTION 100-04 DIAGNOSTICS INDICATE A RATTLE AND/OR CLUNKING NOISE IS COMING FROM THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER(S) THEN REFER TO WSM, SECTION 204-02 AND REPLACE THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER(S)AS REQUIRED. FOR CLAIMING, USE CAUSAL PART 18125 AND APPLICABLE LABOR OPERATIONS IN SECTION 5 OF THE SERVICE LABOR TIME STANDARD
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 ESCAPE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH LDWS CAN REQUIRE IPMA CAMERA ALIGNMENT FOR MULTIPLE REASONS AS REFERENCED IN WORKSHOP MANUAL (WSM) SECTION, 419-07. SOME OF THE REASONS WOULD INCLUDE WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT, SUSPENSION REPAIR, ALIGNMENT OR MODIFICATIONS, INTERIOR MIRROR REPLACEMENT OR REPLACEMENT OF THE IPMA CAMERA. ON PREVIOUS INTEGRATED DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (IDS) SOFTWARE RELEASES THE LDWS CAMERA ALIGNMENT FUNCTION IS NOT PRESENT. USE IDS VERSION 101.01 OR HIGHER WHEN PERFORMING THE LDWS CAMERA ALIGNMENT FUNCTION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2017 Ford Escape?
It's a meaningful issue. 8 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, suspension issues most often appear around 54,120 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.