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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
12,729 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2017 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 1 of 6)

problem #101

Feb 022024

Escape

  • miles

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

Cooling system malfunction. Coolant Intrusion. Car is not drivable. White smoke emitting from exhaust. Service Engine Soon light came on approximately 4 weeks ago. Took it into a mechanic who advised that the Turbo Charge needed replacing.

- De Pere, WI, USA

problem #100

Feb 192024

Escape

  • miles
Brought car to a Ford dealer for standard service. Dealer found that lug nuts were swollen and could not be removed via standard procedure. 20 lug nuts had to be replaced at my expense.

- Mantua, NJ, USA

problem #99

Jan 022024

Escape

  • miles
Transmission went out at about 70,000 miles. There was ZERO warning or notification with a warning light. I thought my car needed new tires as it was slow to start after stopping at a stop light. It also slipped gears. I did not know that this was the "warning" signs of a transmission going out until after I researched transmission issues w/ the FORD ESCAPE. It was a dangerous situation as it was stalled in the middle of an intersection.

- Burke, VA, USA

problem #98

May 012023

Escape

  • miles

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

Coolant intrusion into the engine, causing vehicle to overheat with the overheat alert flashing on dash. Refilling coolant before every drive and still overheating, with the coolant always being empty despite being filled daily. Consistent cylinder 1 misfire, even after mechanical inspection/replacement. Vehicle misfiring upon starting, where some instances the engine will not start for 2-3 tries. Vehicle misfiring while driving, stopped at traffic lights, and when using Auto Stop-Start feature during daily drives (traffic lights and stop signs). White smoke coming from exhaust. Engine block cracked due design of engine - defective design. 100K miles, 2nd owner.

- Oakdale, TN, USA

problem #97

Dec 212023

Escape

  • 41,400 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 41,400.

- Waukegan, IL, USA

problem #96

Dec 212023

Escape

  • miles
The Turbo Charger failed. It has since been replaced. My safety was put at risk because, I could not accelerate fast enough to get up to the required speed limit. It has been inspected by a Ford repair shop. There was only one warning: a check engine light came on while I was in route to work. The car's performance immediately deteriorated and I turned around and went back home.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #95

Dec 182023

Escape

  • miles

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

Received a warning on vehicle. However when diagnostics were run through the Ford's onboard system everything came back as normal. Went to find out what code was appearing. The code stated that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. Had all four replaced, but noticed that the coolant level had dropped off suddenly without warning, no notification notice in car, and the only reason I found out was my vehicle's temperature gauge was increasing quickly. After filling it up with coolant a second time and the check engine light not resetting after the spark plugs replacement, all of a sudden white smoke and smell came out of the exhaust. Knowing something was not right, quickly shut off vehicle, and called a local Ford dealership to verify that my Ford Escape with less than 74,000 miles on it had blown a head gasket!!! Even though the 2017 - 2019 did have a recall for this exact problem it ONLY APPLIED TO THE 1.5 ENGINES AND NOT TO THE 2.0 ENGINES!!! Why is that when there are a high number of complaints for the exact similar problem as mine?

- Bristow, VA, USA

problem #94

Oct 132023

Escape

  • miles
My Vehicle have a coolant leaking and I hope that you can help us to issue the ford company a recall because this all happen on all ford ecoboost and they want us to pay for $10,000 for engine replacement.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #93

Nov 262023

Escape

  • miles
On November 26, 1923 I had a flat tire on my 2017 Ford Escape. I tried to take the flat tire off & put the spare tire on with the lug wrench provided by Ford & it would not fit on the lug nuts enough to remove them. The size of the lug nuts were bigger than the opening on the lug wrench & I could not get any lug nuts off. My son gave me the lug wrench from his wife-??s 2014 Ford Focus. It was identical to my lug wrench. He told me this lug wrench would not fit the lug nuts of his wife's car. It would not fit on the lug nuts of my car. We called roadside assistance to change the flat, but they could not. We borrowed our daughter-??s 2016 Ford Escape to drive home. I took the lug wrench out of her car & it was an exact match of my lug wrench & the one from my sons wife's car. I tried to put this lug wrench on the lug nuts of my daughter-??s car & it would not fit. All 3 vehicles had lug nuts that could not be loosened by the lug wrenches Ford provided. The next day our 2017 Ford Escape was towed to a Walmart & they fixed the flat tire without any difficulty removing or reinstalling the lug nuts. I have spent about $50 on tools that allow me to remove & tighten the lug nuts on my 2017 Escape. On November 30, 2023 I took our car to my local Ford dealer & they confirmed I had swollen lug nuts. They said the solution was for me to buy new ones that would not swell & the cost would be about $100. On December 1,2023 I talked to Ashley at the Ford Customer Care Center about this & was told Ford considers swollen lug nuts normal wear & tear. I have been driving & maintaining Ford vehicles for 50 years & never experienced this problem before now. I sent a letter to the Ford Customer Care Center requesting Ford solve this problem. Ford should tell owners of its vehicles that may have swollen lug nuts of the possible implications. In certain circumstances this could have caused my wife & I great harm or death. I have attached the letter I sent to Ford.

- Clinton, MO, USA

problem #92

Oct 152023

Escape

  • miles
FORDPASS Module is controlling the car through the fob key. The dashboard appears "Ford Key Free No Key Detected". I was at the drive thru of IN & OUT BURGER Store last October 15, 2023 when I'm about to leave the car suddenly stopped, engine stopped running and it blocked the drive way no other car can pass thru. Towed the car to the dealership and charged me a new fob keys. Next day I pass by a gas station, locked the car. After pumping, the door can't open and found no key detected in my Fordpass app. If someone try to harm me that moment, I would be in danger because the car is controlled by the FORDPASS MODULE. It happened again in a parking lot of Costco, I'm denied of entry and the apps said there's a time for it to be activated, I am using the car to my destination without stopping the engine until I reach home.

- Huntington Park, CA, USA

problem #91

Oct 152023

Escape

  • miles

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

Hello - I had my 2017 Ford Escape SE Ecoboost engine replaced by a Ford dealership in July of 2020 after a well-documented manufacturer defect (Ford Service Bulletin 222-2229) involving coolant intrusion into the engine occurred. This known defect can lead to engine failure, overheating, and combustion/fire. The automaker has failed to recall or address the inherent defect and safety risk. On October 15, 2023, noxious smoke came out of my exhaust pipe. There was no warning signal or indication from my vehicle that it required servicing, oil change, engine repair, or coolant replacement. I took the vehicle in for inspection immediately at a local Ford dealership. The service department concluded that the engine would again need to be completely replaced due to the exact same well-documented coolant intrusion manufacturer defect (Ford Service Bulletin 222-2229). It is important to note that the engine failure occurred only 30,000 miles after the first engine replacement in July of 2020. This time the full repair/engine replacement will require $9,191.96 payment out of pocket. The dealership directed me to Ford Corporate. They refused to provide financial assistance or repair despite the well-documented defect that has rendered the car completely useless and unsafe. I am so very disappointed and alarmed by the situation. Any support and assistance with this matter is sincerely appreciated, as Ford Corporate and related dealerships have been of no help.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #90

Sep 262023

Escape

  • miles
Auto Start/Stop feature stopped working. Shows unavailable no matter setting. Have had battery checked multiple times and dealership supposedly fixed prior but it is not working again

- Ankeny, IA, USA

problem #89

Sep 262023

Escape

  • miles
The automatic idle stop jerks very bad I have had to disengage it for safety It should be a recall issue in my opinion ASAP. Thankyou

- Waterloo, NY, USA

problem #88

Aug 162023

Escape

  • miles
When I had my Ford Escape serviced today, they told me the lug nuts were swollen and distorted so they needed to be replaced or they could end up being a safety hazard.

- Cape Girardeau, MO, USA

problem #87

Aug 032023

Escape

  • miles
We have a 2017 ford escape with a 1.5 4 cylinder ecoboost. The car started using large amounts of coolant and misfiring. Took it to the dealership and they found every code needed to diagnos the issue as coolant intrusion. There was a recall on this issue but apparently ford is no longer doing the repair. The engine block has a design flaw that allows coolant to leak and cause issues. The vehicle only has 56000 miles on it and is no longer safe to drive. Was told some can even catch on fire from overheating. Ford has denied to cover any fix evwn know it had a recall and is 100 percent a manufacturer defect.

- Xenia, OH, USA

problem #86

Aug 012023

Escape

  • miles
Technical Service Bulletin #22-2229 needs to be added to my car's vin number. Car was brought to dealership after check engine light was illuminated. Diagnostic trouble codes indicated misfire detected on cylinder 1, misfire detected on start up. Dealership did an additional review, and found coolant intrusion into cylinder 1. Entire engine replacement has been reccomended. Car was picked up from dealership on 7.11.23 for regular maintenance, check engine light illuminated again on 7/31/23, car was brought to dealership on 8/1/23, and dealership recommended replacement on 8/2/23. Engine replacement is $8,500.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #85

Jul 312023

Escape

  • miles
2017 Ford Escape 2.0L Ecoboost at 58K miles after "the works" oil change at Ford Dealership I noticed coolant tank was empty, engine was heavily leaking oil, engine was running very rough, whitish exhaust smoke, check engine light came on "misfire code", replaced spark plugs and ignition coils, added coolant and engine oil fluid every week, it just kept rolling downhill from there. It is criminal what is going on here...the repair costs aren't worth it and clearly don't fix the problem...do you want to buy a used Ford Escape that either needs a new engine or has had the engine replaced once already before 60K (and probably needs another new engine)? Do you want to buy a new(er) Ford Escape? "Ford Motor Company has issued a new recall for 125,322 model year 2020-2023 Ford Escape, 2022-2023 Ford Maverick and 2021-2023 Lincoln Corsair vehicles for a risk of fire due to engine failure. 2020-2023 recalls on ford escapes." I'll never buy another Ford vehicle again. I shouldn't have to investigate Ford dealerships/Fords work to make sure they are being honest about my vehicle, it's condition and the warranty, I shouldn't have to explain and argue with Ford dealership / Ford to try to get them to fix the situation, I shouldn't be stuck with it and have to wonder or double check if my vehicle is low on essential fluids every time I go somewhere due to Fords design flaws and constantly buy more fluids (there's no way that this meets environmental regulations), I shouldn't have to worry about my vehicle catching fire and/or lose all function at any moment while driving it or after driving it, I shouldn't have to fear parking my car in my garage (catching fire and burning house down with it) or being stranded where I am (whether I'm close to home or far away), could cause accident, injury and/or death. I paid good money for a vehicle that was advertised and marketed (by Ford dealership/Ford) as top rated, safe and reliable vehicle (this can't be legal). FIX THIS NOW BEFORE...

- Waterford , MI, USA

problem #84

Jul 312023

Escape

  • miles
2017 Ford Escape 2.0L Ecoboost at 50K miles after "the works" oil change at Ford Dealership I noticed coolant tank was empty, engine was heavily leaking oil, engine was running very rough, whitish exhaust smoke, check engine light came on "misfire code", replaced spark plugs and ignition coils, added coolant and engine oil fluid every week, it just kept rolling downhill from there. It is criminal what is going on here...the repair costs aren't worth it and clearly don't fix the problem...do you want to buy a used Ford Escape that either needs a new engine or has had the engine replaced once already before 60K (and probably needs another new engine)? Do you want to buy a new(er) Ford Escape? "Ford Motor Company has issued a new recall for 125,322 model year 2020-2023 Ford Escape, 2022-2023 Ford Maverick and 2021-2023 Lincoln Corsair vehicles for a risk of fire due to engine failure. 2020-2023 recalls on ford escapes." I'll never buy another Ford vehicle again. I shouldn't have to investigate Ford dealerships/Fords work to make sure they are being honest about my vehicle, it's condition and the warranty, I shouldn't have to explain and argue with Ford dealership / Ford to try to get them to fix the situation, I shouldn't be stuck with it and have to wonder or double check if my vehicle is low on essential fluids every time I go somewhere due to Fords design flaws and constantly buy more fluids (there's no way that this meets environmental regulations), I shouldn't have to worry about my vehicle catching fire and/or lose all function at any moment while driving it or after driving it, I shouldn't have to fear parking my car in my garage (catching fire and burning house down with it) or being stranded where I am (whether I'm close to home or far away). I paid good money for a vehicle that was advertised and marketed (by Ford dealership/Ford) as top rated, safe and reliable vehicle (is this not false advertising?). Ford should be held accountable and at a loss, not me.

- Waterford, MI, USA

problem #83

Oct 072022

Escape

  • miles
Car is leaking water in weather strip across the right side of the roof. Causing water to leak into my trunk, pooling in my spare tire area, also leaks near a fuse box that's in my trunk. That's a safety hazard & very scary foe such a new car. I've browsed online and have seen thousands of others that have this same issue with newer cars. So this to me should be taking care of by Ford. I'm a mom of 2 kids that doesn't have 1,700 to fix a leak. It was fixed in October 22' for the same issue. Here we are again with the exact same issue but now it's traveled what appears to be the full length of the roof. I beg that this is resolved with a recall etc. Nobody should have a pool of water literally in their car. I'm sure my spare needs to be replaced. Also, if I hadn't opened my trunk right after a rain storm & noticed it was wet. I probably wouldn't have ever noticed it till it was too late. Thanks for any help on resolving this issue with not only my car but others with the same problem. Have a blessed day!

- Richmond Hill , GA, USA

problem #82

Jun 012023

Escape

  • miles
I was on the highway doing 70+ and my car overheated and shut off. When i turned it back on the engine light was on and it was shaking like crazy. I took it to the dealership and they told me that it is a known prob and it has a coolant leak into the engine. I can see online that this is happening to thousands of people and ford is refusing to fix it. I could be dead right now. They-??ve known about this problem for years but will not replace my engine.

- Eagleville, PA, USA

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