Ford Escape Complaints (2017)

2,704 consumer complaints on file.

#11701542November 25, 2025
ENGINE
I began receiving a notification labeled "Engine fault, service now" a few weeks prior to the incident. I took my car to a mechanic and everything checked out fine, so the code was cleared and did not return. A few weeks later, I was changing my oil and noticed my engine coolant appeared extremely low. I also noticed a wet spot under my car under the coolant chamber side. I refilled the coolant, drove 5 minutes home, and then noticed it was once again empty. I then had my engine light come on. I took my car to Ford that night. The next day they called and informed me I had an internal coolant leak that had seized my spark plugs and destroyed my engine. This is a known issue, extremely common, and yet they refuse to do a recall on it and could provide me no help. I was quoted $16,000 for the repair (far more than the car is worth) and essentially just ended up having to buy a new car. The Ford will have to be scrapped for a few hundred dollars despite only being 8 years old with only 98,000 miles on it. I have records of my ownership and a written diagnostic report from Ford. From Ford: "Observed coolant intrusion into cylinder #2. Recommend replacement of the long block at this time. Coolant intrusion into long block at this time. Found the engine assembly has an internal coolant leak." Additionally, Ford has posted a service bulletin with recommended repair instructions for this known issue. The bulletin number is 9-2139 from 2019. There is also an active class action lawsuit against Ford being run by Kershaw Talley Barlow for this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700269November 19, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, POWER TRAIN
continues to roll when parked engine has been replaced twice grinding when putting in park
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700297November 19, 2025
ENGINE
The engine failed due to coolant leaking into the cylinders. Sarasota Ford confirmed that coolant intrusion caused internal engine damage and the engine could not be repaired. The vehicle was purchased only 18 months ago and has been maintained per manufacturer guidelines. This appears to match a known Ford issue that has affected multiple Ford Escape model years involving coolant intrusion, rough running, stalling, and eventual engine failure. The repair required a full engine replacement at a cost of $9,850.20, which we have already paid. I am requesting NHTSA review this defect pattern as it creates safety risks and significant financial impact for owners.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699649November 16, 2025
ENGINE
An “engine fault check engine now” Came up. We quickly brought our 2017 Ford escape into our near by Ford dealership. Mechanic says a P2601 code came up, which is related to coolant to Aux pump performance. They found reservoir leaking a reservoir spiderd hose down to oil cooler. Found coolant reservoir leaking. I have this diagnostic in writing. ford wanted to charge $1088 to fix the issue and said once thats paid they would look further. We didn’t have close to that amount of money so we went to another near by mechanic, they looked into issue and found the coolant had been leaking into the engine and sent photos, and thats when we realized we needed an engine replacement. We have always taken care of our cars and we should not be having to pay for a brand new engine! The mechanic at the other smaller shop we took car to was actually a prior ford mechanic but left them and says he had seen this issue with this year and model many times! And it was due to a bad engine build that they since corrected for newer cars. So the people who bought a car with that year and model just got screwed. We are now having to take my 5 year old grand daughter to school on a bike and carriage situation, hoping it doesn’t get to cold or rainy. Not to mention our transmission had to be re built “just out of warranty” so ford was no help once again. We looked it up and the transmission going out just out of warranty was also a recurring issue for this year and model. So really we feel we spent 30,000 to 35,000 on a dud car. We feel not taken care of in the slightest by ford. Also my son has a Ford F-150 and the transmission went out that would cost 5000 to 9000. This truck was gently driven and still had low miles. It should not need such a drastic replacement! We found that this transmission issue was also a recurring issue on that year and model truck and we had no help with it. So we have two ford vehicles now that we poured so much money into that we can’t use.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699602November 15, 2025
ENGINE
My check engine light came on. So I decided to get a code reading from auto zone. Once code scan I received error code p0303. I then decided to replace all coils and spark plugs, then the check engine light goes out for a couple of days. I decided to take to a local shop they tell me a hose was loose and if the check engine light comes back bring it back…. I thought to myself that's why I came the first time, I then decided to take to ford. They do the diagnostic and say I have to replace engine because of coolant intrusion. I would need a long block and would cost around 8000 to fix. The reason I am sending this is because I believe that Ford should be held accountable for this known flaw in the design of the ecoboost engine. Many people are or has been going through this problem. A recall is the best way for ford to handle and take accountability.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699407November 14, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle sputtered with the messages “Engine Fault Service Now”, and “High Engine Temperature – Stop Safely” displayed. The vehicle was able to be restarted, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with head gasket failure, which caused coolant intrusion into the cylinders. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699474November 14, 2025
ENGINE
I was informed by the Ford Dealership that I needed new engine. I have spoke to 2 mechanics ( my local mechanic who has 2 Ford Escape with engine failures and the other mechanic from DCH Ford who had 3 engine failures) I see there is no recall but with 5 Ford Escape engine failures that I am aware of via only 2 mechanics I would have to say they are more out there.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699502November 14, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Coolant intrusion into cylinders at 81,000 miles has damaged engine and transmission pump, requiring replacement of both. Appears this is a known issue with both 2.0L and 1.5L engines.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698685November 11, 2025
ENGINE
Ford dealership states the engine needs to be replaced at a cost of 10K due to coolant in the engine oil as a result of failure of the #4 cylinder. The service advisor stated “ It’s actually a pretty common thing on these engines”. This issue was discovered during a routine oil change by Roberson Ford in Albany Oregon.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698717November 11, 2025
ENGINE
Coolant leak causing overheating and rough driving issues. Check engine light stayed on, along with other warning lights. The engine ran terrible. I rely on a Ford vehicle to transport myself and my children safely. This issued cause me to pull over on busy highways and interstates to let the engine rest and add multiple gallons of coolant. Our local mechanic inspected the vehicle and said this was a known issue with these vehicles and recommended to replace the engine due to a crack in the block. I had to replace the whole engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698826November 11, 2025
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SERVICE BRAKES
Purchased In-10/31/24- 2017 Escape ES 2.5 LTR Echoboost: 11/13/24-Oil change,Wipers,headlights, recall buching,11/24 transmission mount, clicking noise, transmission chokes 11/23-check engine lights, 12/10- headlights, car auto shut off 1/23/25- new tires, studdars Accel, loosing power, cylinder 2 missfire,spark ignition coils all 4 replaced, 02/10- Missfire 3-cylinder, replaced, 3/24-Misfire 2&4-cylinder moister on coils & plugs, replaced-headlights,bright lights malfunction. 5/17- shaking, chokes acceleration, turned off on hghwy 65mls hr apx. Misfire 2-cylinder. 7/3-Tires won't hold air,7/27-tire melted from inside out,9/3-Over heat indicator, resivor empty take cap off fills with collant, no leaking found, hear the fluid bubbling through engine, wheels screeching acceleration, 9/28- over heat, back tires screeching, brakes grinding, shuts off while on hghwy. 9/29-engine light, drive train evape,change tires, escape valve canister, 10/15-misfire cylinder3, greyish white smoke tail pipe, ignition starts without key fully engaged, chokes after starting power lose, peddle clicking on acceleration, slow acceleration hestattion. 11/2-change rotors, breakpads, due to ignition malfunction removed starter fuse to enter maintenance mode. I'd be happy to email documents the website doesn't allow me to upload with complaint, these events took place over 12months period bad continue. Car now is overheating stopping the engine while I'ma driving low or high speeds. Causing clicking sound in front tires and a squealing noise driving low speeds or accelerating stops around 35mls hr.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698597November 10, 2025
ENGINE
I have a 2017 Ford Escape with an EcoBoost engine. My car was running a little bit rough and the check engine light turned on. I made an appointment with an independent service location that I trust to diagnose the issue. After reading the computer code, which noted a cylinder misfire, they noticed that the coolant level was low, did some investigating and found a Ford-issue technical service bulleting from 2022 detailing the likelihood of a coolant leak into the engine. They scoped the cylinder and confirmed the presence of coolant in the cylinder and noted the only repair was a replacement of the entire long block. I then sent my car to a Ford dealership and asked them separately to diagnose the issue, and they returned with the same diagnosis and suggested repair. The safety of me (a lone parent), my 8yo son, and our dog are put at risk every time I have to drive the car since we don't know when the engine might give out completely. I've now been restricted to only driving very small distances until I can find the required $9K to replace the engine. I do not feel comfortable driving my car (which has been great until now), but cannot afford an indefinite rental car, nor a new car, and have no alternative but to drive it. This is a KNOWN ISSUE (as evidenced by the Technical Service Bulletin) and a few older models have actually been recalled, but for some reason, the remaining have not. Ford will not cover any cost of the repair because of the age of the car, even though it only has 52K miles on it (which is extremely low for its age). All known safety issues should be covered regardless of the age of the car. I understand there is an active class action lawsuit against Ford for this very failure, which speaks volumes as to how widespread this safety issue is.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698347November 8, 2025
ENGINE
My 2017 Ford Escape Titanium with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine is experiencing unexplained coolant loss. After topping off the reservoir, coolant disappears within days, yet there are no visible external leaks. The oil appears milky and frothy, suggesting coolant intrusion into the oil system. This points to a possible internal leak such as a head gasket failure or block defect. This issue poses a safety risk due to potential engine overheating, misfires, and sudden engine failure while driving. Symptoms began in early November 2025 and have worsened over time. The problem has not yet been confirmed by a dealer or independent shop, but it matches known issues documented in Ford’s Technical Service Bulletin 19-2208. No warning lights appeared prior to the issue. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer or other parties. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue and urge Ford to issue a recall or extended coverage for affected vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698053November 7, 2025
ENGINE
Had a coolant leak at 67,000 miles, and the only indication I had was the heat in my car stopped working. I assumed it was a thermostat issue, dismissed it, and continued driving for months like that since it was the summer. Where I live, it's pretty mild in the summer so I wasn't driving with AC or heat on, just with the windows down. I happened to notice the coolant reservoir was completely empty while routinely refilling the windshield washer fluid. This was my first indication anything was seriously wrong with my car, and I only noticed accidentally. I took it into the repair shop, and they pressure tested the system. They discovered coolant was leaking into the cylinders and called to tell me Ford has had a technical service bulletin they issued years ago (22-2229) about the engine in my car. This is known defect with the engine, and that the only way to remedy it is to replace the engine long block. They quoted me over $17,000 for the repair (parts and labor), and told me that there was internal engine damage that could lead to the engine seizing while operating, which is an obvious safety issue. Had I not happened to refill the windshield wiper fluid, I would have had no idea. In hindsight, this wasn't just a thermostat issue...it was a massive coolant leak into the cylinders. I didn't even get a check engine light until I had already discovered the issue and was waiting for a repair appointment. The problem is known by Ford, and is widespread enough in the ecoboost engines that they issued a TSB (but not a recall). They're letting people drive around with these engines, which have subtle failure signs in milder climates, and then leaving them to foot the massive repair bill for a known issue caused by their bad engineering.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697325November 4, 2025
POWER TRAIN
I live in NYC my transmission went bad on the road
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697180November 3, 2025
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while taking the vehicle in for a routine tire rotation, the dealer informed the contact that the lug nuts were swollen, and the tires could not be rotated. The contact's wife purchased a tool to remove the lug nuts and purchased replacement lug nuts. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who was unable to use the tool to remove the lug nuts. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, AutoNation Ford Gulf Freeway (12227 Gulf Fwy, Houston, TX 77034), who was also unable to use the equipment to remove the lug nuts to replace them lug nuts with ones purchased by the contact. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 74,800. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696917November 1, 2025
ENGINE
Like so many other with the ford escape from 2017 I experience a coolant leak into engine head causing overheating. With only 115,000 miles and the clear amount of vehicles with the same issues its quite disappointing there is nothing ford motor company is doing, when its clearly a manufacturer defect. Any other company would be held responsible for such an obvious mistake made on their part. I would never buy a ford vehicle going forward as this experience is very disappointing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696562October 30, 2025
ENGINE
Due to a known issue with the casting of the engine block, there is coolant inside of my engine. When my mechanic looked at it, he found a known issue with the block being cast incorrectly. The only work around is a new engine, but the engine that fits my car, will just have the same issue. Ford knows about the default and are not issuing any repair recalls because not enough people have complained about it. I just replaced the transmission last year because it suddenly failed. Now my engine is toast as well. Ford needs to do something about this. The only warning I had was when all of my coolant leaked into my engine and suddenly it overheated.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696127October 28, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving the car- the front end started to shake and the check engine light came on. Took it to our local Ford dealership and the advised that it was a cylinder 2 misfire when they diagnosed. They advised that the engine block is porous and the coolant slowly leaks into the engine which is causing the misfire. Called Ford's customer assistance line and since the car is out of warranty- and there are no open recalls, that they will not cover the $9100.00 new engine repair. Our car is a 2017 Ford Escape Titanium- with approx 82k miles. We purchased the car as a certified pre-owned in 2021- and have had no prior issues. We did not purchase any extended warranty. We were advised that the car isn't safe to drive due to the engine misfire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695671October 26, 2025
ENGINE
There is coolant intrusion on the engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Ford Escape