2017 Ford Escape: Common Problems, Recalls and Vehicle Data

What the public data shows

The 2017 Ford Escape's public record includes 4 recall campaigns, 2,662 complaints filed with NHTSA, and no open investigations. Within that record, one detail stands out: recall 26V374000, covering power windows that may not reverse direction properly and can pinch a driver or passenger, is listed as a repeat of an earlier campaign, 16V617000. That earlier recall addressed the same window-pinch risk. In plain terms, the first repair was performed and did not fully correct the problem, prompting a second campaign for the same condition. The other two recalls on file cover a power train issue involving a bushing that could affect shifting or allow the vehicle to roll after being put in "Park," and an equipment-related electrical short circuit that could increase fire risk. Recalls by system are otherwise limited, with two tied to visibility (the window campaigns), one to power train, and one to equipment. Complaints are heavily concentrated in the engine category, which accounts for 1,743 of 2,662 complaints, or 65 percent, followed by drivetrain at 376 (14 percent) and an "other" category at 255 (10 percent). CarTold has examined a related pattern separately in "2017–2019 Ford Escape: Coolant Loss and Rough-Running Complaints." Service bulletins, which are dealer guidance rather than recalls, cluster most heavily on the electrical system (48 of 245) and engine and engine cooling (32). These complaint figures reflect how often owners reported issues to NHTSA, not a measured rate of failure across all vehicles of this model year.

2669 complaints on file with NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation, grouped into CarTold's broad component categories.

Most frequently reported, by the specific component NHTSA logged each complaint under (not CarTold's category groupings above):

• ENGINE — 1166 complaints (44%)
• ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — 385 complaints (14%)
• POWER TRAIN — 217 complaints (8%)
• POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — 98 complaints (4%)
• UNKNOWN OR OTHER — 79 complaints (3%)
• ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE — 68 complaints (3%)

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Escape vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 16V617. The power-operated windows may exert excessive force when encountering an object, before they automatically reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."

Consequence: A closing window that does not reverse direction as expected can pinch a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will update the power window operating system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 22, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C29. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2017 Ford Escape Titanium and SE vehicles manufactured October 5, 2015, to May 12, 2016. The settings for the closing-force of the power-operated windows may allow the windows to close on an object such as a body part and injure it before the windows auto-reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."

Consequence: If a window closes on a body part, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Ford has notified owners, and dealers will update the power window operating system software, free of charge. The recall began on September 6, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C12.

NHTSA crash-tests each body-style/drivetrain configuration separately, so ratings can differ by variant — shown as tested, not averaged. See how the 5-star ratings work, including why an overall score isn't the average of the three category scores.