NHTSA data checked October 31, 2026 · counts are computed from NHTSA's public APIs, not estimated
Summary
NHTSA's public complaint database lists 2,701 owner complaints for the 2017 Ford Escape, and its recall database lists 4 safety recall campaigns for it.
Leaving out "unknown or other", the component group owners named most often is engine (1,584 complaints, 59%), followed by engine and engine cooling (509) and power train (391). A complaint can name more than one group, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
39 complaints say a crash happened and 15 mention a fire; together the complaints report 56 injuries and 0 deaths.
Among Ford Escape model years 2010–2020 in NHTSA's data, 2017 has the 2nd-most complaints (2,701, against a median of 1,434 for the other years).
The newest recall is 26V374000, received June 9, 2026, for visibility.
2,701owner complaints
4recall campaigns
39complaints reporting a crash
15complaints reporting a fire
56injuries reported
0deaths reported
Complaints by component
Owners pick one or more component groups when they file. Share is the percent of the 2,701 complaints that name the group.
Latches/Locks/Linkagesdoor and hood latches, locks
8
<1%
Suspensionsprings, struts, control arms
8
<1%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)stability control engaging or failing unexpectedly
7
<1%
Tirestires
6
<1%
Back Over Preventionrear-view camera and rear sensors
5
<1%
Equipmentadd-on equipment
5
<1%
Seatsseats and seat frames
4
<1%
Service Brakes, Hydraulicthe main hydraulic brakes: pedal feel, ABS, brake lines
4
<1%
Visibilitywindshield, mirrors, defrosters
4
<1%
Lane Departurelane-keeping assist and lane departure warning
3
<1%
Child Seata child car seat used in the vehicle
2
<1%
Firerelated
2
<1%
Fuel System, Other
1
<1%
Hybrid Propulsion System
1
<1%
Parking Brakeparking brake
1
<1%
Traction Control Systemtraction control
1
<1%
Recalls (4)
Newest first. Summary, risk and remedy are NHTSA's own recall text (a U.S. government record), shown as published. A recall applies only to the vehicles its notice names; your VIN lookup is the final word.
NHTSA campaign 26V374000
Received June 9, 2026 · Visibility (power window devices and controls)
What's wrong: 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."
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign 26V011000
Received January 16, 2026 · Equipment (electrical: engine block heater)
What's wrong: 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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V413000
Received June 10, 2022 · Power Train (automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl))
What's wrong: 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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V617000
Received August 24, 2016 · Visibility (power window devices and controls)
What's wrong: 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."
Risk: 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.
When the complaints were filed
By the year the complaint reached NHTSA. A late rise often means a part wearing out with age or a problem drawing attention after a recall.
How many complaints has NHTSA received about the 2017 Ford Escape?
2,701 owner complaints as of October 31, 2026, per NHTSA's complaints API.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2017 Ford Escape?
Engine is named in 1,584 of 2,701 complaints (59%); NHTSA's group covers the engine itself: stalling, oil use, knocking, failure.
How many recalls does the 2017 Ford Escape have?
4 recall campaigns in NHTSA's recall database, most recently 26V374000 (June 9, 2026). Check a specific car's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is 2017 a bad year for the Ford Escape?
By complaint count, 2017 ranks 2nd of 11 Escape model years 2010–2020 in NHTSA's data. Raw counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how old they are.
How to read these numbers
Complaints are reports owners file with NHTSA. NHTSA does not confirm each one, and one problem can be reported more than once.
Counts are not adjusted for sales: a model that sold twice as many cars can collect twice the complaints without being worse per car.
Older model years have had more time to collect complaints.
A recall listed here may not cover every car of this model year. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.