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8.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
72,500 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
2017 Ford Escape body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2017 Ford Escape Owner Comments

problem #6

Sep 012023

Escape LE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

click to see larger images

water leaking into cabin water leaking into cabin

I bought this car used with less than 10k miles in 2019. I have to say that generally, I LOVE this car. Back in the fall of 2023, I noticed a regular occurrence when it rained that I was getting an unbelievable amount of condensation INSIDE the vehicle. I thought I had a leak, so I started looking for it. I ran my hand around every gasket, the inside of every window, the carpet in the front, all over. I couldn't find any issues.

The moisture in the car persisted to the point that I had to use a towel to wipe down inside the windshield, and on a couple of occasions it frosted inside of the car.

Fast-forward to Feb 2024 and I had read online there was an issue with water in the spare tire area. I had checked once before and found nothing, but this time I removed the tire and jack. There was a TON of water in the wheel area as well as under the cover. We shop-vac-ed the water up, and it rained a few days later. More water has accumulated in the area under the cover. Every time it rains more water manages to find its way INSIDE my vehicle.

Unfortunately, now the car smells swampy I feel like there is stagnant water someplace else in the car, but I can't find it. I am going to try to seal up the "known" issue, before I take it to the shop because I can't really afford to be without a vehicle right now.

Ford: you need to do better. This isn't even on recall despite it being a known issue.

- Sophie S., Greenville, US

problem #5

Jan 302024

Escape SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 164,000 miles

I bought this car used with 159,000 miles on it in September 2023. Runs great, passed smog. This is the first winter with the car. I had it parked for the month of January and picked it up last week. There was mold on the driver's side seatbelt, and a mildew odor in the cabin when I got in it. An item I had on the floor in the backseat had moisture on it. When I got home, I immediately did an online search for 2017 Escape water leaks and found this is an ongoing problem for Escapes dating back to the 2013 model and all trim levels. I'm very disappointed that Ford isn't stepping up to recall/repair the problem with the roof seams and other entry points. I understand this is an issue in the Fusions as well. This will be the last Ford I buy.

- Rosemarie L., Citrus Heights, CA, United States

problem #4

May 032021

Escape Titanium 2.0L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,000 miles

I bought my 2017 Escape Titanium 2.0L 4WD back in August of 2020. On May 3, 2021 I discovered water had filled up in my spare tire well in the rear cargo area underneath the cover. I searched online and found out this is a very common problem on the 2013-2019 Escapes. First I thought all I needed to do was reseal the roof rack screws and my problem would be fixed. But it turned out after I did that water still floods in the back. I have now learned that there is a roof seam in the ditch where the roof rack rails are and Ford used the wrong type of sealant. Now I have to take my Escape to a body shop to have the entire roof rail ditch resealed and hope that it doesn't leak inside again.

Some people have had water flooding in to their front A posts (by the windshield) up near the headliner and causing water stains. If you buy and Escape or already own one I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO CHECK YOUR SPARE TIRE WELL AREA. If I never checked mine and let the water fill up any higher it would have done damage to my carpet and electronics as there is an electrical box for my Sony sound system and another black electrical box back there.

- Greg N., Bloomington, US

problem #3

May 032021

Escape Titanium 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought my 2017 Escape Titanium 2.0L 4WD back in August of 2020. On May 3, 2021 I discovered water had filled up in my spare tire well in the rear cargo area underneath the cover. I searched online and found out this is a very common problem on the 2013-2019 Escapes. First I thought all I needed to do was reseal the roof rack screws and my problem would be fixed. But it turned out after I did that water STILL floods in the back. I have now learned that there is a roof seam in the ditch where the roof rack rails are and Ford used the wrong type of sealant.

Now I have to take my Escape to a body shop to have the entire roof rail ditch resealed and hope that it doesn't leak inside again. Some people have had water flooding in to their front A posts (by the windshield) up near the headliner and causing water stains. If you buy an Escape or already own one I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO CHECK YOUR SPARE TIRE WELL AREA. If I never checked mine and let the water fill up any higher it would have done damage to my carpet and electronics as there is an electrical box for my Sony sound system and another black electrical box back there.

- Greg N., Bloomington, MN, US

problem #2

May 012020

Escape Titanium 2.0L Ecoboost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

Water leaks into the spare tire wheel well after every rain or car wash. It is running in from under the body panels on either side of the cargo area. Apparently, this is due to a manufacturing defect with the roof ditches that the roof racks are mounted in. There are gaps in the seam along with the rack mounting bolt penetrations that were sealed with some sort of caulking that has cracked and failed - allowing water to run into the cabin body. I will attempt to seal this with Permatex per info on the Ford Escape Forum. Very poor build quality by Ford!

- David G., Lexington, SC, US

problem #1

Jan 192019

Escape SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,782 miles

Ford should know better. I bought it used. The minute it started to rain there goes all the water under my feet on the drivers side of the car. My shoes, pants, skirts, everything gets wet. I vacuum, by the time I get home, it's back again. I took it to one mechanic, he could not find the problem. I have an appointment with Ford next week. We will see what becomes of it. To me this is a lemon. How do I find out if this problem persisted for the last two years before I got it? I've only made one payment. I want to get rid of this problem and the car. I do not plan on spending the next 5 years paying for this!

- edain, West Palm Beach, US

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