Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2017 Ford Escape. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Window Automatic Reversal System Malfunction/FMVSS 118
- Summary
- 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.
Engine Block Heater May Short Circuit and Cause Fire
- Summary
- 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.
Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable
- Summary
- 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.
Power Window Force may be Excessive/FMVSS 118
- Summary
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (2,692)
2,692 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 2,692 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,575 | 58.5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 508 | 18.9% |
| Power train | 391 | 14.5% |
| Electrical system | 156 | 5.8% |
| Unknown or other | 155 | 5.8% |
| Wheels | 76 | 2.8% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 72 | 2.7% |
| Structure | 62 | 2.3% |
| Service brakes | 49 | 1.8% |
| Steering | 49 | 1.8% |
How 2017 compares with other Escape years
Best and worst Escape years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2,750 | 18 |
| 2014 | 2,088 | 16 |
| 2015 | 1,106 | 9 |
| 2016 | 1,139 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2,692 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1,807 | 4 |
| 2019 | 590 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1,604 | 23 |
| 2021 | 349 | 19 |
| 2022 | 234 | 19 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2017 Ford Escape suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 26 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,600
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 342 g/mi
- EPA class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 26 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 30 / 26 | $2,600 | 342 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 29 / 25 | $2,700 | 357 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | $2,800 | 369 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | $2,800 | 369 |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 28 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2017 Escape for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2017 Ford Escape FAQ
How many recalls does the 2017 Ford Escape have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 26V374000 (visibility), 26V011000 (engine), 22V413000 (power train), 16V617000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2017 Ford Escape problems?
Owners filed 2,692 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (1,575), Engine and engine cooling (508), Power train (391) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2017 Ford Escape get?
EPA rates the 1.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 23 city, 30 highway and 26 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2017 Ford Escape get?
NHTSA rated the 2017 Ford Escape suv fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (19.1% rollover risk).
How does the 2017 Escape compare with other years?
Among the 2013–2021 Ford Escape model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (349) and the 2013 the most (2,750). The 2017 drew 2,692. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Summary reviewed on Oct 6, 2026.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.