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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 9
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,635 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 1 of 51)

problem #1013

Jan 312025

Escape

  • miles

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

Check engine light flashing, took to a local mechanic and need the whole engine replaced due to an internal coolant leak. Coolant level was low so the car overheated. Couple days later it was empty again

- Largo, FL, USA

problem #1012

Aug 012023

Escape

  • miles
My vehicle leaks coolant and shakes while accelerating. It sometimes struggles to accelerate at all as it steadily misfires. This would put me and my family at risk even when trying to leave our driveway or turn off our street. The leaking coolant has been confirmed by a dealer and independent service center since it started in 2023. They confirmed that it is identical symptoms to what they see relating to TSB 20-2100 (19-2375 before that). Ford continues to deny that this vehicle is attached to this TSB. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance. There was no warning prior to the symptoms first appearance, the Check Engine light illuminated only after issues began to arise.

- Wellington, CO, USA

problem #1011

Oct 102024

Escape

  • miles
I was advised by the Ford dealership that my engine needs to be replaced due to a coolant leak into the engine. This is a known issue for this vehicle. This car has a little over 98k miles on it. There is a board post about this issue TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 2.0L EcoBoost - Coolant In Cylinders, White Exhaust Smoke And/Or Illuminated MIL 22-2229 09 June 2022 I was told there is no recall for this issue even thought they know it is an issue and the cost to replace is over 8k. I called and spoke to the corporate office as well and they told me they will not cover it. This is an issue for a lot of people and sadly there is still no recall. This is not fair that I have to pay more to get the vehicle fixed than the vehicle Is worth. The Ford company should be held responsible for an issue they know is not a fault of the customer.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #1010

Jan 272025

Escape

  • miles

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

The vehicle was bucking and shaking after turning the key in the ignition. It lurched and drove shakily, and the next time the vehicle was started, the engine failed to begin running, and an "engine fault" light instructing the driver to "service now" was displayed. At this time, a loud, liquid sloshing noise was heard coming from the direction of the dashboard. In subsequent attempts to later start the car, the car did start, and ran, but when taken to a mechanic, it was revealed that a coolant intrusion occurred without any perceptible cause, of severity enough to completely ruin the engine and necessitate its rebuild or repair.

- Orangevale, CA, USA

problem #1009

Jul 082024

Escape

  • miles
After almost a year of problems, the Ford Dealership just diagnosed the car with coolant intrusion. It will cost $8000 for a new engine. This is a known Ford Escape 2017 problem, and Ford won-??t do anything about the issue. Right now it-??s available for inspection, but I-??m going to have to get rid of it soon as it is a hazard and not reliable.

- Saint George, UT, USA

problem #1008

Dec 312024

Escape

  • miles
I own a 2017 Ford Escape SE 2.0L, and my mechanic recently diagnosed my vehicle with coolant intrusion into the engine. This issue has caused potential risks to the engine-??s performance and longevity. I discovered that many other Ford Escape owners have reported the same issue online, particularly with models equipped with 1.5L and 2.0L EcoBoost engines. Despite this widespread issue, Ford has only issued a recall and Customer Satisfaction Program (21N12) for the 1.5L engine, leaving owners of 2.0L vehicles like mine without coverage.

- New Brunswick, NJ, USA

problem #1007

Jan 262025

Escape

  • miles

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

Missfire from coolent leaking in engine

- Deltona, FL, USA

problem #1006

Jul 232024

Escape

  • miles
It has a known defect that causes coolant to leak into the engine's cylinders, which can cause corrosion, oil dilution, and contamination, which results in engine failure. Ford failed to disclose these defects creating a safety risk, because of the lack of coolant created by these leaks causes overheating, cylinder head cracking and engine failure, or engine fires. After the check engine light came on, the vehicle was inspected by the manufacturer, they then replaced the ignition coil and spark plug for the number 3 cylinder. They had to do this twice because upon leaving the dealership, the check engine light came on again and they said they could only use OEM parts. The 3rd time the engine light came on, it was inspected again by the manufacturer, it was then disclosed about the known defect that the coolant leaking into the engine's cylinders causes engine failure.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #1005

Jan 122025

Escape

  • 87,430 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the check engine warning light was flashing. The contact pulled over, opened the hood, and noticed that there was oil all over the engine compartment. The contact stated that the engine oil was leaking from the vehicle. The contact stated that in 2014 prior to the failure, the vehicle had been taken to a collision center. The vehicle was previously taken to the local dealer for a routine oil change. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the coils, spark plugs, and valve cover gaskets were cracked, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 87,430.

- Glenarden, MD, USA

problem #1004

Jan 102025

Escape

  • miles
Transmission went out at 65,000 miles. Son was inn the middle of traffic got a message the stop driving immediately and the car started running rough. two codes P2703 and P2704. these are for solenoids. Had trouble getting out of traffic and off the road and almost got hit by another car. He was able to lug across multiple lanes to pull over on the side of the road. This happened at night and the road is busy. Ford has told us that the transmission is an 'enclosed system' and the entire transmission has to be replaced. Due to the enclosed system there is no way to check the transmission fluid levels, etc. The transmission breaking came out of no where and is not related to the transmission bushing recall.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #1003

Dec 212024

Escape

  • 110,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact stated that unknown warning lights illuminated, and an audible chime sounded. The contact merged to the side of the road and the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission module and fuel pump had failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a second independent mechanic and was diagnosed with gas tank failure. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to a third independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a blown head gasket. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Garfield, AR, USA

problem #1002

Sep 122024

Escape

  • miles
During the month of September 2024 my Ford Escape Ecoboost developed a rough idle. I took it into our Ford dealership for evaluation. The diagnosis was that coolant had leaked into the cylinder #3 due to a head gasket failure and that I would need to have the engine long block replaced at an estimated cost, at the time, of about $8000. My vehicle has less than 45,000 miles on it. We had the Ford dealership go ahead with the repair; however, I asked that the service advisor request Out of Warranty Assistance from Ford. He did and received a claim number of: CXH 02689613-N6N4L5. He also informed us that our request for financial assistance had been rejected due to the fact that it was outside the extended warranty of 7 years. Mind you, this was about 6 weeks after the end of the warranty that it began to fail and the car had less than 45,000 miles. This issue with the Ford Ecoboost is well known and has caused engine failure. We just didn't let it go to the point of failure, due to our reliance on this car and safety concerns.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

problem #1001

Jan 032025

Escape

  • 54,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that during a State Inspection, the contact was informed that coolant was leaking into the engine. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated after the Inspection. The independent mechanic stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

- Orchard Park, NY, USA

problem #1000

Sep 072024

Escape

  • miles
Coolant leaking into the cylinders, white smoke out of the tail pipe, and now Ford is saying this is a known issue but no recall is taking place. The car is undriveable. This is the second engine in this vehicle.

- Parma, OH, USA

problem #999

Jan 172025

Escape

  • miles
Check engine light Cylinder 1 misfire Runs rough Coolant found in cylinder one Coolant leaking from cylinder head

- Marion Center, PA, USA

problem #998

Sep 012024

Escape

  • miles
To whom it may concern, We purchased a 2017 Ford Escape Titanium Ecoboost used approximately 3 years ago. Since, September of 2024 we have been having issues with the car. Some of the issues involved overheating due to internal coolant / antifreeze loss that allows coolant to enter into the cylinders of the engine causing engine failure. The check engine light comes on and saw blue or white smoke emitting from the car and misfires when coolant leaked into the cylinders. The most common PCM codes reported as associated with misfire related to the internal coolant leak are P0316 and P0302. Ford previously recalled certain 2013 and 2014 Ford vehicles equipped with the 1.6L engine for a very similar issues under recall campaigns 12V551 and 17V209. However, no such recall exists for the similar issues reported by consumers with the 1.5L and 2.0L Ford Ecoboost engines. We still owe $14,600 on this car and 4 mechanics and Ford have said it needs a new engine. We cannot afford $5000 to $10,000 for a new engine on a car we still owe on. Not sure if you are able to help us out with this issue. Thank you for your time.

- Spring Hill, FL, USA

problem #997

Nov 152023

Escape

  • miles
Engine failure due to coolant intrusion. Vehicle is currently at Parks Ford Dealership in Wesley Chapel Florida. Per service department the estimate to replace is $20,000. The vehicle had been in to Phil Long Ford October 2022 for the bushing replacement recall and I was not informed of the Technical Service Bulletin issued for this vehicle. I believe there have been at least 2 of them. I did ask at that time to have it checked out for any other concerns including early wear on the tires. I also reached out to Ford Customer Service National - in Nov/Dec 2024, no mention of any issues or TSB-??s for my vehicle. I did record that phone call & received a claim number. No follow up at this point. Parks Ford did mention the TSB last month but failed to inform me of the REQUIREMENT per Ford that the dealer must submit the claim not the Customer via the Customer Call Center. The first check Engine light came on November of 2023. I brought the vehicle to Mieneke in Land O Lakes, FL, they replaced the spark plugs. I also could have used the extended warranty I purchased with the Vehicle from Phil Long Ford but they failed to inform me of any of the TSB issues for the car. The vehicle sits in the parking lot without any repair or replacement. I can have the engine replaced by Christian Brothers in Wesley Chapel, FL for approximately 1/2 the cost.

- Land O Lakes, FL, USA

problem #996

Jan 152025

Escape

  • miles
Our 2017 Ford Escape had the check engine light on. We took it to a Ford dealer. They said there is an issue where the coolant is leaking into the engine and we need the engine replaced. They quoted us $12000 to fix the issue. Looking online this is a known issue with Ford Escapes. Ford should be held accountable.

- Provo, UT, USA

problem #995

Dec 102024

Escape

  • 81,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the messages "Engine Hot - Stop Safely" and the "Engine Fault" were displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the head gasket needed to be replaced, and the engine needed to be disassembled and reassembled and coolant needed to be added. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.

- Madison, CT, USA

problem #994

Jan 032025

Escape

  • miles
The temp warning light came on our 2017 escape - temp gauge always remained on normal - had it towed to the Ford dealer in Texas. Service writer said it is the head gasket since there is no external leak but, coolant was low. Engine will have to be replaced at the expense of $12,000. I mention the recall and he said he would take another look to see if he can verified the damage in detail. this car has 58,241 - car was title to Texas on 06/15/2024 and had a emissions test and passed. This warning light just came on this day and never before. The car is still at the Ford dealer and not sure what the dealership will do next. I need help.

- Coppell, TX, USA

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