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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 10
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
20,183 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2017 Ford Escape engine problems

engine problem

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2017 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 9 of 73)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1297

Jul 312025

Escape

  • miles

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

#2 cylinder is misfiring caused by coolant leaking into engine block. There is a technical service bulletin 22-2322 describing the issue and the recommended repair. To solve the issue the short block & head gasket must be replaced

- Batavia, NY, USA

problem #1296

Aug 312025

Escape

  • miles
My 2017 Ford Escape 1.5 Liter has an engine that failed due to antifreeze intrusion as confirmed by a Ford service center, where it is currently located. The vehicle is 8 years old and has approximately 125,000 miles. This problem (engine failure due to antifreeze intrusion) was addressed by Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12, Ford and my dealer stated my vehicle was not part of the program. However it seems to have the same problem as other vehicles that were included. While that program has expired, I bought the vehicle while it would have met the mileage and age requirements. It would seem to me that there are more vehicles that should have been included in the CSP since they are showing symptoms of the same defect.

- Grand Marais, MN, USA

problem #1295

Aug 152025

Escape

  • miles
I bought a used 2017 Ford Escape Titanium in Jan, 2025. The car had no issue at time when bought it. But a few weeks ago, the engine starts to have issue, after the engine starts for a couple minutes, the idle dropped and run rough with the engine check on. The fault code reading P0302, #2 Cylider misfired. I took to auto repair shop for a repair and later got a call from them telling me that Ford built defective engine where #2 and #3 cylinder block wall too thin causing leak air compression in the #2 cylinder.

- Lynnwood , WA, USA

problem #1294

Sep 082025

Escape

  • miles

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

My car has been diagnosed by the dealership with a coolant intrusion issue. This is triggered by a "check engine light" warning on my dashboard. The dealership advised me to replaced the whole Engine Block due to some crack or something, thus the coolant intrusion. The amount to pay is $10K++ CAD. Seems this issue is common to Ford Escape car and I believe this is a Ford Mfg. issue. My car is on time regular maintenance twice a year, yet this issue just happening now without prior report from the last maintenance two months ago.

- Windsor, MI, USA

problem #1293

Sep 082025

Escape

  • 75,629 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled and jerked while attempting to accelerate. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,629.

- Chickasaw, AL, USA

problem #1292

Mar 122025

Escape

  • miles
For the last few months, the vehicle has been to the mechanic for engine running rough and misfire. Each time the cylinders were replaced and on my belief that the issue was finally was solved the vehicle again have the same issue. The mechanics thought that the parts used were defective and replace them. During their test drive the engine blow up. At that point I was informed that the engine needs to be replace and the warranty has expired. I conducted some research and notice I wasn't the only the one that experience this issue. The thing that got me upset is that FORD is aware of the issue for a long time and nothing has been done. This issue if you decided to investigate has been going for more than 10yrs. Unfortunately, I have to swallow that expense. Hoping you follow thru so this issue will not happen to another consumer, Thanks for help in this matter.

- Ellicott Cuty, MD, USA

problem #1291

Aug 012025

Escape

  • miles

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

My engine is internally leaking coolant. I consistently smell a sweet smell. I consistently have a service engine soon light on and it has a P0301 code. My car is only at 63,450 miles. My mechanic informs me the rememdy requires a complete long block replacement.

- Maplewood, MN, USA

problem #1290

Aug 192025

Escape

  • miles
Previously reported coolant leaking into cylinder 1. Ford knows of this issue, there is a technical service bulletin addressing it (attached), but Ford refuses to take responsibility for it or pay for repairs. I was driving my car when backfires started and then engine stopped. Could not get engine restarted and pushed car out of traffic lane. Car towed to mechanic and now entire engine needs to be replaced at a cost of approx $7000. Again, Ford refuses to pay for repair. This is a recurring problem with Ecoboost engines that Ford should repair. I am requesting a recall on all Ford Ecoboost Engines with more than 70,000 miles to assess coolant leaks and to replace engine if leak is found.

- Alton, IL, USA

problem #1289

Jun 182025

Escape

  • miles
Flaw in the design of cooling of the gaskets. Coolant incursion because the wall built to thin.

- Santa Maria, CA, USA

problem #1288

Sep 042025

Escape

  • miles
Engine warming light came on, codes P0301 and P0316. Brought the vehicle into a Ford dealership and was told it is coolant leaking into the engine, and has been a very common problem, and even had a Customer Satisfaction program that existed for it that is now expired. (CS21N12). Was told engine needs to be completely replaced at a cost of $9,275.50 (estimate attached). The engine can fail, which is a safety issue to being with. Upon research online, many others have had this issue, insomuch that Ford replaced engines for free through November 2022 under 21N12. I, along with many others, were unaware of this issue until our cars hit 60,000 or more miles. I purchased the car used with 14,000 miles on it, and never received a letter from Ford about this potential issue. This should be a recall. It should not cost me over $9,000 to fix. Ford knows of the issue and refuses to remain responsible for it.

- Ormond Beach, FL, USA

problem #1287

Aug 182025

Escape

  • miles

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

Check Engine light came on at approx 93,000 miles. Diagnosed as needing tune up. After dealer replaced spark plugs, check engine light came on again. Took it back and they told me coolant was in the #2 cylinder. They replaced spark plug, but couldn't tell me why coolant was in cylinder. Check engine light came on again, and then they told me it would be an $8600 cylinder block assembly replacement. It is available for inspection. Ford dealership confirmed problem. Found out this is a known issue with 2017 Ford Escapes with EcoBoost.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #1286

Jun 222025

Escape

  • miles
We were going down the road and my car started shaking within the engine area, pull over and it felt like my car was going to stall out, but it still ran very roughly. Took it to a service mechanic and they said it was a blown engine, due to coolant getting into engine. A engine light did come on at the time.

- Sanford, MI, USA

problem #1285

Sep 022025

Escape

  • miles
I bought this vehicle march of 2024 it had 59880 mile or so on it.it now has 65220 miles in it and it started blowing white smoke and is running rough took it to my mechanic and they said it needs a new engine.i had the water pump replaced because it was loosing antifreeze.well I had no idea that this has been a ongoing issue with these vehicles.its high time ford steps up and takes blame for the faulty engines.

- Crosby, MN, USA

problem #1284

Aug 272025

Escape

  • miles
Coolant is leaking into the piston cylinder 4-mainly (and 2). It-??s leaking because of the imperfection in the block. In the new engines, the imperfection has been fixed

- Woodhaven, MI, USA

problem #1283

Aug 182025

Escape

  • miles
Engine slowly started consuming coolant into the cylinders. After starting the engine, the engine would run rough until coolant was burned from the cylinders. A month or two later the engine lost compression and needs to be replaced. From what I've investigated on the internet, this is a known problem with the 1.5L Ecoboost engine and there is a class action lawsuit pending in California. We have contacted the law firm handling the suit in order to be included in the class action.

- Nottingham, NH, USA

problem #1282

Aug 182025

Escape

  • 88,199 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a cracked cylinder. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had occurred immediately after a tune-up was performed by the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,199.

- Loveland, OH, USA

problem #1281

Jul 012025

Escape

  • miles
Parasitic draw in battery that Ford can't find reading for. Paid almost 1k in parts they suggested ' may' work along. Did not work and told us not to call corporate because they'll just tell us to go back to dealer. Then engine throws a p0303 code. Cylinder 3 seems to have the death sentence these cars are facing. We still owe 9800 on this car. It has 70k miles. The battery issue has been problem for over a year. It's our family car so never unsafe for my wife to be stranded with a child somewhere because the battery might die. And now the engine may seize. From reading all over, Ford was certainly negligent about this issue and it's sad so many people are in the same situation as our family

- Monroe, CT, USA

problem #1280

Jul 182025

Escape

  • miles
My 2017 Ford Escape has a coolant intrusion/ engine failure. Check engine light came on. The car started shaking. Took the car to a service center and they confirmed it was due to engine failure due to a coolant intrusion. They checked and the code received was cylinder 2 misfire. I did some research and this is a common issue within my car-??s year, make, and model but there has been no recall for it. There is a code CSP 21N12 for this issue. Yet when I put in my VIN it shows no recalls for my vehicle. I contacted Ford and was told again there is no recall. I have the eco boost 1.5L. It matches the make, year, and engine for the problem. My car is misfiring, white smoke from exhaust from cold start, and having coolant loss with no dripping on the ground. This is a known flaw that Ford has been aware of and has a technical service bulletin out for this issue but, after contacting Ford, they will not help with engine replacement. I am making payments, I purchased this car so I can attend college, I also have a job and now I have no car. The vehicle is not repaired because they are quoting too much and I believe Ford needs to issue a recall and repair this known to them issue. I am still having to make payments on a car that is just sitting here. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #1279

Aug 262025

Escape

  • miles
I bought my 2017 Ford Escape when it was brand new. It has been excellently maintained and has had no issues. 2 weeks ago the idle seemed rough, but got better when driven. Had diagnostics done and codes indicated spark plugs issue. Replaced spark plugs, but rough idle (misfire) continued. While attempting to address misfire, a sudden and large cloud of smoke was emitted from tailpipe and engine area. Dashboard lights all came on. Coolant reservoir emptied. Car was immediately shut off. All signs point to blown head gasket, cracked engine block, coolant entering engine. Getting estimates, now. But, probably won't repair. Car has 86,000 miles.

- Blue Island, IL, USA

problem #1278

Aug 262025

Escape

  • miles
2017 Ford escape purchased new, and always maintained. This vehicle has a 2.0 EcoBoost engine. The mileage on the car is 26,340. We experienced the same problem that was reported on EcoBoost engines where the coolant leaks into the cylinders which leads to Engine failure. The engine temperature light came on indicating we needed to pull over, which we did immediately. We had just left home and were only 2 blocks when this occurred. The engine was cool to the touch. According to the reports, it could result in engine fire. The vehicle just stopped when the engine failed.

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

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