Ford Escape Complaints (2017)

2,704 consumer complaints on file.

#11740957May 29, 2026
ENGINE
The engine in my 2017 Ford Escape EcoBoost experienced a known “coolant intrusion” defect in which engine coolant leaks into the engine cylinders. This defect is widely associated with the 1.5L and 2.0L EcoBoost engines and can cause engine misfires, coolant loss, overheating, corrosion, and catastrophic engine failure requiring engine or short-block replacement. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle is driven by a college student traveling away from home. The coolant intrusion defect creates a serious safety concern because the engine can suddenly misfire, lose power, overheat, or fail unexpectedly while driving. A sudden engine failure could place the driver and others at risk, especially during highway driving or in remote areas. The issue developed shortly after the vehicle was purchased from a dealership in June 2025. The symptoms are consistent with the widely documented Ford EcoBoost coolant intrusion defect acknowledged by Ford through Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12. The vehicle has exhibited symptoms including coolant loss and engine performance concerns consistent with this known defect. The dealership has been notified of the issue. The dealership has been contacted regarding the issue. Ford has previously acknowledged this defect through Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 relating to coolant intrusion in affected EcoBoost engines. The vehicle experienced symptoms consistent with coolant intrusion, including coolant loss and engine performance concerns/misfires. These symptoms are widely reported with the affect EcoBoost engines and has progressed to severe engine failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739819May 24, 2026
ENGINE
My vehicle is suffering from a severe coolant intrusion to cylinders 2 and 3 and I’m constantly getting bad misfire codes while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739250May 21, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I am the only owner of this vehicle and it has 114,000 miles At 90,000 miles i had to replace the transmission and now, its at the dealer due to turbo leaking oil internally and externally AND coolant intrusion. These issues are commonly known and the coolant intrusion is from a design flaw. Why is this engine not included with the recall for the very same issue on other ford ecoboost engines
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738580May 18, 2026
ENGINE
Complete engine failure in my 2017 Ford Escape 1.5L caused by coolant intrusion. I only have 67,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738063May 15, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when attempting to turn on the AC unit, it would fail, causing them to have to fill the vehicle with new coolant every 2 to 3 weeks. There were no leaks underneath the vehicle or warning lights. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnosis or repair. The dealer informed the contact that there was no recall attached to the VIN. The manufacturer was not informed. The failure mileage was 140,144.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738104May 15, 2026
ENGINE
I own a 2017 Ford Escape equipped with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle began experiencing severe coolant loss with no visible external leaks, requiring nearly a full coolant reservoir refill daily. Along with the coolant loss, the vehicle developed constant bubbling/gurgling noises from the cooling system, rough cold starts, engine shaking/misfires, intermittent failure to start, loss of acceleration, and “Engine Fault Service Now” warnings on the dashboard. Diagnostic scans revealed persistent cylinder 2 misfire codes, additional cylinder 3 misfire codes, and a crankshaft position sensor intermittent code (P0339). Replacing/swapping ignition coils and spark plugs did not resolve the issue. After researching the symptoms and speaking with Ford, the vehicle appears to match the well-documented coolant intrusion issue associated with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. The coolant loss and misfires create serious safety concerns due to sudden loss of power, unreliable engine operation, and the possibility of complete engine failure while driving. Ford Corporate declined assistance despite the vehicle exhibiting symptoms consistent with the known defect and despite the vehicle being purchased during the timeframe when Ford’s customer satisfaction program related to this issue was active.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737837May 14, 2026
ENGINE
Coolant leak into the engine. Told that Ford knows about this but refuses to do anything to help me. Said the car would need $14,000 worth of fixes when I only bought it for $12,300.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737634May 13, 2026
ENGINE
Coolant intrusion into cylinders from block
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737725May 13, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The Ford Escape 2017 experienced a transmission malfunction involving delayed shifting, sudden jerking during operation, and difficulty shifting gears properly. Unusual noises were also coming from the transmission, along with ongoing symptoms indicating a clear mechanical and technical defect. This defect placed the driver, passengers, and other motorists at risk, especially during acceleration or while merging onto highways, due to the vehicle’s delayed response and the possibility of sudden loss of control or unexpected stopping while driving. Prior to the complete failure, several warning signs and recurring symptoms appeared, including vehicle jerking during driving, delayed or rough shifting, abnormal transmission noises, and in some cases the illumination of the Check Engine warning light. These symptoms began gradually before the problem significantly worsened.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737449May 12, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
Evap purge valve stuck open, coolant pooling in spark plugs, and oil combusting rapidly causing fire and explosion fears. Heavy smell of gasoline to where i didn't feel safe to start or drive
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737279May 12, 2026
ENGINE
The coolant is leaking into the engine making the vehicle unsafe to drive.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737291May 12, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact's friend owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the owner had to add additional coolant after it was low. The vehicle stalled while driving, and all the coolant was depleted. The owner used approximately 2 jugs of antifreeze. The driver was stranded. The low coolant light was illuminated. The vehicle was pulled to the owner's residence. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736955May 11, 2026
ENGINE
My Escape has a severe coolant intrusion of the second cylinder. I took my vehicle in because all of the sudden I had no coolant and no visible leaks, and my mechanic scoped my engine and informed me that I need a complete engine replacement. I am financing my vehicle through JD Byrider. I keep getting bad misfires with a code of P0302
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737103May 11, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the check engine warning and a " engine fault service now message appeared and also idled roughly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed as a coolant leak into the engine block that caused misfires in cylinder two and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that a coolant leak into the engine block that caused misfires in cylinder two and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736745May 9, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
All 4 tail lights are filled with water, therefore they stopped working due to corrosion. I had to replace all 4 or I couldn't get my car to pass inspection. No warnings or anything telling me my brake lights have failed. This is a huge problem in the 2017 Ford Escape SE!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736498May 8, 2026
ENGINE
Vehicle is at 83,000 miles and the engine was diagnosed with a need to replace TSB 22-2322 (Intrusion of coolant into engine Cylinder) This issue could cause the vehicle to stop running or break down in transit. The only fix is to replace the entire engine which was designed with a flaw. Ford Service center quoted me $15,000 to replace engine. Miller vs. Ford motor company class action lawsuit claims this defect was known to ford and they sold faulty vehicles anyway. Ford denied repairing my vehicle. Freeway Ford Service Center in Denver Colorado.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736383May 7, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine light had appeared on the instrument panel. After an oil change was performed on the vehicle, the check engine light remained as the vehicle began to shake upon start of the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a P0302 engine code appeared which indicated a cylinder #2 misfire. The contact then called a dealer for a second opinion who informed her over the phone that the failure sounded like a coolant intrusion failure into one of the vehicle engine cylinder. The vehicle was then taken to another an independent mechanic who confirmed the coolant intrusion failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736436May 7, 2026
ENGINE
Coolant and oil completely gone. Mechanic says the engine has froze up from timing chain jump. Suv is a 2017 ford escape with 54000 miles on it. Oil has been changed every 5000 miles.no leaks showed up on ground until Saturday and it was not noticed until today. The coolant was checked in February for antifreeze before the first freeze and there was no coolant at that time and mechanic filled it up. It makes no sense that a vehicle with such low mileage would need a new engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736249May 7, 2026
ENGINE
I own a 2017 Ford Escape SE with approximately 96,665 miles. The vehicle developed coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders, resulting in coolant loss, misfires, rough running, and risk of engine failure. The dealership diagnosed the vehicle as requiring a full engine replacement. Ford has acknowledged similar coolant intrusion defects in certain 2017 Ford Escape vehicles through Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 and related technical service bulletins, but my VIN was excluded despite experiencing the same failure symptoms. This issue creates a serious safety concern because coolant intrusion can lead to sudden loss of power, stalling, overheating, or complete engine failure while driving. The defect occurred despite regular maintenance and without warning beyond coolant loss and drivability symptoms. In addition, the vehicle experienced transmission failure around the same timeframe, significantly affecting the safety and reliability of the vehicle for family transportation. I believe Ford should investigate and expand coverage for this known engine defect to include similarly affected vehicles outside the current VIN range.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736127May 6, 2026
ENGINE
* The 2.0 Ecoboost engine has failed due to coolant puddling on top of the piston of cylinder 1 * The safety of any driver and others on the roads is at risk due to the potential of the vehicle overheating and engine seizing while driving * The symptoms (rough engine operation, check engine light) were reported and reproduced by a local Ford dealer, and inspected by the same dealer who cited Technical Service Bulletin 22-2229 which we were not made aware of at any time since purchasing the vehicle. * The symptoms included a rough operating engine and intermittent check ending light incited us to schedule the diagnostic service in April 2026. The vehicle was serviced 4.5 months earlier in December 2025 for a 100K mileage service, and the check engine light symptom occurred and was serviced prior in August 2022 and April 2025. At no point were we informed of the apparently known TSB 22-2229.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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