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U.S. public vehicle records

2017 Ford ESCAPE problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

2,672 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

70,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 1,154 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1,561 of 2,672 complaints (58.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting31111.6%
Engine operation2067.7%
Braking behavior1264.7%
Electrical and battery issues762.8%
Steering behavior732.7%
Fuel system concerns361.3%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine
1,561
Engine And Engine Cooling
487
Power Train
373
Unknown Or Other
152
Electrical System
147
Fuel/Propulsion System
71
Wheels
54
Structure:Body
53
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine1561
Engine And Engine Cooling487
Power Train373
Unknown Or Other152
Electrical System147
Fuel/Propulsion System71
Wheels54
Structure:Body53

Engine: 1,561; Engine And Engine Cooling: 487; Power Train: 373; Unknown Or Other: 152; Electrical System: 147; Fuel/Propulsion System: 71; Wheels: 54; Structure:Body: 53

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
151
25,000 to 49,999
176
50,000 to 74,999
304
75,000 to 99,999
253
100,000 to 149,999
236
150,000 and above
34
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,000151
25,000 to 49,999176
50,000 to 74,999304
75,000 to 99,999253
100,000 to 149,999236
150,000 and above34

Under 25,000: 151; 25,000 to 49,999: 176; 50,000 to 74,999: 304; 75,000 to 99,999: 253; 100,000 to 149,999: 236; 150,000 and above: 34

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (304). 1,518 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2016
2
2017
50
2018
57
2019
112
2020
124
2021
116
2022
237
2023
381
2024
713
2025
645
2026
235
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20162
201750
201857
2019112
2020124
2021116
2022237
2023381
2024713
2025645
2026235

2016: 2; 2017: 50; 2018: 57; 2019: 112; 2020: 124; 2021: 116; 2022: 237; 2023: 381; 2024: 713; 2025: 645; 2026: 235

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 311 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 206 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 126 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10985939 · 2017-05-16 (May 16, 2017)

MODEL HAS TRANSMISSION THAT HAS NO PROVISION TO OVERRIDE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ALLOWING ENGAGEMENT OF LOWER GEARS TO UTILIZING ENGINE BRAKING. THIS ABILITY IS ESSENTIAL FOR SAFE MOUNTAIN DRIVING WHERE DOWNHILL GRADES, INCLUDING SHARP CURVES, GO ON FOR MILES. FULL DEPENDENCE ON WHEEL BRAKES, WHICH WILL OVERHEAT, IS A SAFETY ISSUE. CO-EFFICIENT OF FRICTION DECREASES WITH INCREASING BRAKE PAD TEMPERATURES. HAVING DRIVEN THIS MAKE/MODEL AS A RENTAL FOR ~2,500 MILES IN THE MOUNTAINOUS STATES OF AZ, UT, AND CO I SPEAK FROM FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE.…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10985939 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11000956 · 2017-06-24 (June 24, 2017)

MY CAR WAS STOPPED ON THE PROPERTY'S DRIVEWAY, TRANSMISSION WAS IN PARK. I WAS STANDING OUTSIDE THE CAR, AND AS I OPENED THE DRIVER'S DOOR TO GET IN, THE BOTTOM CORNER OF DOOR GOUGED MY LOWER LEFT LEG AND PEELED BACK A SIGNIFICANT CHUNK OF TISSUE. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, I OBSERVED THAT THIS PIECE OF BLACK TRIM (WHICH COVERS THE ENTIRE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE ESCAPE) IS DESIGNED TO FLARE OUT TO A SHARP POINT ON BOTH FRONT DOORS OF THE ESCAPE. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A GROSSLY NEGLIGENT DESIGN. IT BORDERS ON AN INTENTIONALLY SUBSTANDARD DESIGN, EL…

Owner-reported narrative. 6,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11000956 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11002885 · 2017-07-03 (July 3, 2017)

THE 2.0 ECOBOOST ENGINE IN MY 2017 ESCAPE HAS STALLED TWICE AT LOW SPEEDS. ON 6/18/17 WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE MOVED APPROXIMATELY SIX FEET AND THE ENGINE STALLED IN REVERSE. ON 6/24/17 THE ESCAPE STALLED IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. THE SUV WAS IN DRIVE, MOVED ABOUT TEN FEET, AND STALLED. AFTER BOTH INCIDENTS, I TOOK THE ESCAPE TO FORD DEALERS FOR THE MECHANICS TO LOOK FOR THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING. THE DEALERSHIPS CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND MY VEHICLE IS NOT FIXED. THANKFULLY STALLING HASN'T OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPE…

Owner-reported narrative. 7,480 miles reported. Look up ODI 11002885 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11045506 · 2017-11-12 (November 12, 2017)

I WAS DRIVING MY 2017 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM AND STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN ONE BLOCK FROM MY HOUSE. I WAS ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. AS I STARTED TO GO, MY CAR STALLED. I PUT IT IN PARK AND TRIED STARTING IT AGAIN. IMMEDIATELY I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911. A PASSER BY BROUGHT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND HE SHOWED UP. THEY BOTH TRIED TO PUT FIRE OUT. THEY COULD NOT GET THE HOOD LATCH OPEN AND COULDN'T GET THROUGH THE SIDE WALLS TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE FIRE DEPARTME…

Owner-reported narrative. 8,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11045506 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10946165 · 2017-01-18 (January 18, 2017)

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN PARKING AT SLOW SPEED WITH ECO ON. OFTEN SEEN INTO GARAGE WHICH IS SLIGHT INCLINE. AUTOMOBILE STOPS MOVING AND ANY TOUCH OF THE ACCELERATOR CAUSES FAST SURGE REQUIRING VERY QUICK BRAKING. VERY REPEATABLE UNDER SLOW CONDITIONS. SELLING DEALER CHECKED VEHICLE AND REPORTED THAT SYSTEM OPERATING AS DESIGNED WHEN AUTO STOP/START IS ACTIVATED. THIS DESIGN IS DANGEROUS AND THE SYSTEM SHOULD NOT DEFAULT TO ENGINE AUTO STOP ACTIVATED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,079 miles reported. Look up ODI 10946165 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10959716 · 2017-03-09 (March 9, 2017)

IN EVENT OF MAIN BRAKE FAILURE, PARKING BRAKE CANNOT BE MANUALLY ENGAGED AS A SECONDARY BRAKING SYSTEM DUE TO INTRODUCTION OF ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE REQUIRING VEHICLE TO BE STOPPED TO ENGAGE PARKING BRAKE. THIS COULD RESULT IN FATALITY IN THE EVENT OF MAIN BRAKE FAILURE. (FYI. I RECENTLY HAD A BRAKE HOSE FAIL ON A '99 CHEVY PICKUP TRUCK WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION. USING THE MANUAL PARKING BRAKE I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE AND AVOID A COLLISION. THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE WITH ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE THE WAY IT IS IMPLEMENTED ON 2017…

Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10959716 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11004157 · 2017-07-10 (July 10, 2017)

AT 100 MILES CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE NO WARNING LOST ACCELERATOR PRDAL NO RESPONSE SEWRVICE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY TURN CAR OFF ON SIDE OF THE ROAD RESTARTED DID IT AGAIN AT ABOUT 3800 MILES AND THEN AT ABOUT 11500 MILES. DEALER DOESNT KNOW WHATS WRONG WITH IT. HAD TO TURN CAR OFF AND ON FIND NEUTRAL AND RESTART WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT WERE BAD BUT CANNOT REPRODUCE ISSUE. THIS VEHICLE IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE. YOU LOSE FLY BY WIRE THROTTLE. LAST TIME I HAD MY 14 YEAR OLD SON IN THE CAR. I …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11004157 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11082048 · 2018-03-29 (March 29, 2018)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT RODENTS HAD ENTERED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CHEWED THROUGH THE HOSES TO THE TURBO CHARGER, THE RADIATOR CAP, COOLANT WIRES, INTAKE MANIFOLD LINES, AND THE PURGE SOLENOID. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MONTGOMERY MOTORS (214 S MAIN ST, TROY, NC 27371, [phone removed]) TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE MADE FROM SOY BASED MATERIAL, WHICH NEEDED TO BE…

Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11082048 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10957007 · 2017-02-26 (February 26, 2017)

AUTOSTOP FEATURE ENDANGERS LIVES. I EXPERIENCED AN ALMOST FATAL SAFETY INCIDENT WITH THE AUTOSTOP ENGAGED. I WAS STOPPED, EXITING A PAVED DRIVEWAY ONTO A 2 LANE ROAD. I DECIDED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ACROSS THE PATH OF A LARGE TRUCK THAT HAD JUST TURNED THE CORNER 300 FT AWAY. THE TRUCK SEEMED TO BE LUMBERING ALONG, SO I MADE THE DECISION TO PULL OUT ACROSS ITS PATH AND MAKE MY LEFT TURN. APPARENTLY THE TRUCK HIT ITS PEAK TORQUE AT THAT TIME AND SUDDENLY SPED UP, JUST AS I PULLED OUT! AT THIS SAME MOMENT,THE ENGINE DECIDED TO SHUT ITSEL…

Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10957007 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11256727 · 2019-09-19 (September 19, 2019)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AUTO START FUNCTION WAS RESET AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO FUNCTION NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE LOST COMMUNICATI…

Owner-reported narrative. 25,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11256727 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11282790 · 2019-11-28 (November 28, 2019)

THE NEXT DAY AFTER PURCHASE SEPTEMBER 2018, I NOTICED A SLIGHT SLIPPAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND TOOK THE CAR BACK BECAUSE THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON AND THE CAR WOULD PROCEED TO MOVE AT A LOW SPEED. I WAS TOLD THE VEHICLES FLUIDS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE NEXT DAY THE ISSUE PERSISTED, I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ON BOTH OCCASIONS THE MONSTER DEALERSHIP HANDLED THIS. THE ISSUE WITH FEELING THE TRANSMISSION JERK CONTINUED. MAY 2019 THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE APPEARED (CODES LISTED BELOW) IT W…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11282790 at NHTSA ↗