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7.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,440
Average Mileage:
47,800 miles
Total Complaints:
14 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (9 reports)
  2. repaint (5 reports)
2017 Ford Escape body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2017 Ford Escape Owner Comments

problem #14

Feb 242024

Escape SE 1.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

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

There are several spots on the driver's side A pillar next to the windshield where the paint is peeling. Upon closer inspection, it appears that the paint is defective as the metal underneath is very smooth. The paint looks like it would continue to lift and break off as I can see space under the edges of the paint that is still there. There is also paint peeling on both the driver's and passenger's side in the upper corner under the windshield. Apparently this is a common defect and Ford refused to admit this is a problem with their paint process.

- qvergnugen, Ho Ho Kus, US

problem #13

Oct 012022

Escape SE AWD 2.0L Ecoboost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,282 miles

click to see larger images

paint loss/chips paint loss/chips

Both a-pillars have paint peeling - approx. 12" of paint gone on passenger side, 18" gone on driver side. There is no impact to the pillars, just paint peeling away from the primer/coating. It is clearly the paint not adhering to the primer.

Spoke to Ford dealer - "sorry paint is not covered under warranty". Pretty interesting broad (incorrect) statement I think...

Dealership also told me to "go to another dealership for paint problems, we don't do paint."

- Peter S., Mississauga, ON, Canada

problem #12

Jan 112021

Escape Titanium 2.0L Ecoboost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

Looking online, there are hundreds of complaints of the paint peeling (mine is on the drivers side A pillar, which seems to be the majority spot to start) generally around the windshield. Two body shops have given an average estimate of $2000.00 to fix. One person had only 14,000 miles.

Ford has told us all to piss off, warranty only covers perforation.

Update from Apr 18, 2023: Took to Ford dealer body shop, ford dealer acknowledged defective primer, said they had seen others with same problem, ford denied claim, said it wasn't rust thoughdamage

Took to independent body shop

- Epa C., Peru, IN, US

problem #11

May 012022

Escape ES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,525 miles

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

click to see larger images

paint loss/chips

The paint around the windshield is peeling off in sheets. And now it is peeling off the roof. Every car I see that is blue has the same issue, pretty soon I will have a beige car instead of blue.

- blueyes, Pittsburgh, PA, US

problem #10

May 132022

Escape ES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,748 miles

Hand washing my car (as usual) and big hunks of paint are pealing off the inside (but the part around the WINDSHIELD). another huge clump of paint ready to just peel away on the other side too! SOMETHING WENT WRONG WITH THE ORIGINAL PAINT JOB OF THESE CARS. MAYBE THE PAINT OR THE STEPS TAKEN IN THE BEGINNING WENT WRONG WHEN PAINTING THIS CAR???

- pennyon, Lasalle, ON, Canada

problem #9

Jan 142022

Escape Titanium

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,858 miles

Ford says it's superior to Tesla in build quality, but after having a 2017 Escape from New I can safely say that is a lie . We have had peeling paint, a leaking gas tank, a door handle that aways freezes up and a lot more little annoying things. Before the Escape we had a 2010 Kia Soul and just sold it last fall - had it 11 years no problems at all. I have a Tesla model Y on order October delivery. ( hope the Ford makes it.)

- ljolicoeur, Lindsay, ON, Canada

problem #8

Dec 022019

Escape Titanium 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

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

Besides the RCM just noticed that the paint on the driver side pillar is peeling. Researching the net and find out this is a big problem with this vehicle. Dang, paint should not peel after two years of ownership. Really sucks that FORD does not address this.

- martinjose, 78569, TX, US

problem #7

Jul 042021

Escape Titanium 1.5L Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,241 miles

This summer (2021) while filling up my wife's only new car ever, I was washing the front windshield and noticed about an 1" long bubble in the paint 2/3 of the way up the drivers A pillar. When I got home I took a closer look at the bubble and when I touched it almost 7" of paint flaked off.

The next time that I had it serviced for an LOF at the dealer that we bought it from (all required maintenance has been done there), I pointed out the flaking paint to the service manager whose only response was that it wasn't under warranty anymore. The Dealer doesn't have a body shop and gave me the number of the one that they use.

I ended up having a friend in the auto body industry mix me up a pint of Ford "Blue Lightning" and I performed the work myself - wet sand, prime, wet sand, 4 color coats (wet sanding between each 400, 600, 800), and 3 clear coats. I really feel sorry for those people that don't have the skills & contacts that I have because this will cost then a bundle to get fixed.

- Arthur C., Salem, US

problem #6

Jan 132020

Escape S V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles

The paint is chipping off my 3 year old car! Can't upload photo as I'm at work. The area is next to windshield and is about 9 inches and growing. I am told by my dealer the paint is now water based and is environmentally safe but not durable. They refuse to fix my paint and act as if this is the new normal. My car is not even paid for yet and now I have to spend money at a body shop as well? This is unacceptable!!!

It is not the new normal for other makes such as Toyota, Mazda, etc.

Why is Ford using inferior paint? I can actually flick the paint off my car and if it's doing this in one spot, it will chip in other areas.

I cannot believe Ford's lack of concern. If it was their personal car I'm sure they would feel the same way. The difference is theirs would be fixed and mine will not be.

Never again will I purchase a Ford vehicle.

- Ceil M., Huntingtown, US

problem #5

Apr 042021

Escape V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,609 miles

Pictures were taken by our local Ford dealership. They said that it's not covered under warranty, even though we bought the extended warranty at the time of purchase. The paint is peeling off around the windshield, down to the metal. One is six inches long. Both top corners are affected.

- Gary F., New Bern, NC, US

problem #4

Jan 132020

Escape S V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

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

I am working with a customer care manager trying to resolve this issue. I have gotten a quote from a body shop the Ford dealer uses. The Ford dealer has told the customer care manager they do not send work to this body shop. I called dealer this morning and asked who they refer body work to since there was no body shop on site. Without hesitation, I was told the same place I have already taken it to for the quote. And now I am told it has to be a Ford body shop. Hmmmm, I guess that's because they are paid to lie?

The place I took it to called my problem a factory defect. Can't wait to hear what Ford calls it. If not deemed a defect, Ford will not pay.

There is no way, warranty or not, that paint chipping off the car is normal after 3 years. The cases I have read about are always near the windshield.

No matter the outcome, I will never, ever buy a Ford again.

- Ceil M., Huntingtown, US

problem #3

Aug 092021

Escape S FWD 2.5L 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles

click to see larger images

paint loss/chips

I have never had this happen to any car we've owned. I expected to see some rust if the paint started peeling but the surface is clear and looks fine at the moment - but I'm sure it will start to rust now.

- Carol S., Whitmore Lake, MI, US

problem #2

Feb 192021

Escape SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,600 miles

click to see larger images

paint loss/chips

We had a snow/ice storm and the ice stayed on the windshield for a few days. When the snow/ice melted, it took the paint with it. It just peels off very easily. Running it through the car wash it flakes went everywhere. I’m not sure how they would fix such an issue because it’s oddly placed. I just hope it doesn’t grow onto the outer portion of the car. It’s definitely hideous, but I suppose I will just deal with it unless Ford comes up with a solution.

- Kuwade P., Brady, TX, US

problem #1

Sep 282019

Escape SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,744 miles

click to see larger images

paint loss/chips paint loss/chips paint loss/chips

This car has less than 60k on it. There should be no reason that paint is coming off the car. I can't believe this is not covered under a warranty. I have seen complaints on the web about this same issue at the same spot on the vehicle.

- Kevin H., Ingalls, IN, US

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