2017 Ford Escape Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2017 Ford Escape ranks worst among 21 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 2,684 complaints, most tied to the engine. It carries 4 recalls and an Avoid verdict relative to other Escape years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 21 Escape years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 2,684
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 39
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 15
- Injuries
- 56
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 56 / 0
Top 2017 Ford Escape problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine1,991 (74%)
- Transmission & Powertrain390 (15%)
- Electrical System187 (7%)
- Other162 (6%)
- Fuel System95 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires89 (3%)
- Structure & Body73 (3%)
- Brakes58 (2%)
- Steering49 (2%)
- Airbags21 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple crash reports, including a t-boned collision and a five-car pileup at highway speed.
- A front driver-side tire blew out at 70 mph, sending the vehicle into a guardrail.
- The automatic parallel parking assist reportedly failed and caused a low-speed crash into a parked vehicle.
- Some owners described the vehicle unexpectedly jumping a curb and hitting a tree while parking, with no mechanical cause found by the dealer.
- Steering reportedly became very tight at highway speed, leading to loss of control and a rollover.
- The right front suspension and wheel detached from the vehicle while driving, severing the brake line.
2017 Ford Escape recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V374000Jun 9, 2026Visibility & Wipers18,124 vehicles
Visibility:power window devices and controls
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Escape vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 16V617. The power-operated windows may exert excessive force when encountering an object, before they automatically reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
Risk: A closing window that does not reverse direction as expected can pinch a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the power window operating system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 22, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C29. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.
- NHTSA 26V011000Jan 15, 2026Other116,672 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
- NHTSA 22V413000Jun 10, 2022Transmission & Powertrain2,925,968 vehicles
Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
2017 Ford Escape fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2017 compared with other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Ford Escape reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017 Escape ranks worst of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 2,684 complaints, most in the engine category.
- What is the main problem with the 2017 Ford Escape?
- The Engine is the top problem area, accounting for 74% of complaints (1,991 of 2,684), with a median mileage at failure of 76,000.
- Does the 2017 Ford Escape have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2017 Escape, covering power window force settings, a shift cable bushing, an engine block heater coolant leak, and a wiper/visibility issue, none marked do-not-drive.
- How does the 2017 Escape compare to other Escape model years?
- The 2017 Escape has the highest complaint index (100) of any year in the dataset, ranking 1st worst out of 21 years, while years like 2007 and 2024 score much lower.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Ford Escape?
- EPA rates the 2017 Escape at 24 mpg combined (21.5 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700.