What 2,628 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Ford Escape Gas

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.

NHTSA ODI 11737725

The coolant is leaking into the engine making the vehicle unsafe to drive.

NHTSA ODI 11737279

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.

NHTSA ODI 11737291

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

NHTSA ODI 11737449

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

NHTSA ODI 11736955

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.

NHTSA ODI 11737103

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!

NHTSA ODI 11736745

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.

NHTSA ODI 11736498

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.

NHTSA ODI 11736249

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.

NHTSA ODI 11736383

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.

NHTSA ODI 11736436

* 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.

NHTSA ODI 11736127

Coolant intrusion on 1.5 eco boost engine. Common problem with Ford escapes but Ford does nothing to make it right.

NHTSA ODI 11735655

Coolant intrusion into one or more engine cylinders causing rough startup and coollant loss not accountable externally. A known issue and understood by Ford to be a design flaw. 2017 Ford Escape with 2.0L Ecoboost engine, 81,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11735663

During normal driving, the vehicle unexpectedly powered off and all functions locked up. A warning message appeared stating that the transmission was not in park. After restarting the vehicle, I was able to continue, but the vehicle has been lagging and exhibiting signs that it may stall again

NHTSA ODI 11735356

NHTSA Complaint SummaryVehicle: 2017 Ford Escape SEEngine: 1.5L EcoBoostVIN: [XXX] Defect: Engine Block Design Flaw / Coolant IntrusionTechnical Description of the Issue:My vehicle is experiencing a well-documented manufacturing defect specific to the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. The engine block was designed with a "v-groove" between the cylinders that is prone to structural failure. This allows engine coolant to leak into the combustion chambers (coolant intrusion) and allows engine oil to contaminate the cooling system. My vehicle currently exhibits "milky," tan-brown sludge in the coolant reservoir, confirming that oil and coolant are cross-contaminating due to internal engine failure.Extreme Safety Hazards and Dangers:This defect creates several critical safety risks for the driver, passengers, and other motorists:Sudden Loss of Power at High Speeds: The mixing of oil and coolant destroys the engine’s ability to lubricate internal bearings. This can lead to a catastrophic engine seizure while the vehicle is in motion, causing an immediate loss of power and power steering, which creates a high risk of collisions on highways.Engine Fire Risk: When coolant enters the combustion chamber, it can cause severe engine misfires and overheating. Overheated oil or pressurized coolant spraying onto a hot exhaust manifold during a mechanical failure presents a significant fire hazard.Hydro-locking: If coolant floods the cylinder while the vehicle is in operation, the engine can hydro-lock, causing the engine to stall instantly and potentially throwing metal debris onto the roadway, endangering other drivers.Visibility Hazards: Excessive white smoke from the exhaust (caused by burning coolant) can suddenly obscure the driver’s rear-view visibility and the visibility of trailing motorists.Conclusion:Ford Motor Company was aware of this defect, as evidenced by Customer Satisfaction Program 21N08 and TSB 19-2346. However, because these programs have arbitrary expira INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11735289

Coolant intrusion defect. Had to replace engine. Power train fail also.

NHTSA ODI 11734803

I am reporting a potential safety-related engine defect on my 2017 Ford Escape 1.5L EcoBoost. The vehicle has a history of repeated coolant loss and white smoke, followed by engine failure/no-start. The trouble codes later provided by the dealer included P1285 and P1299, which are related to engine over-temperature protection/thermal event concerns. The local Ford dealer diagnosed the vehicle as “out of time” and recommended a major timing/engine repair path. However, after repeated written questions, the dealer confirmed that my prior history of repeated coolant loss and white smoke was not taken into account as part of the current diagnosis. I am concerned that the vehicle should have been evaluated under a coolant-intrusion / thermal-event failure pathway associated with this engine family, rather than being limited to a timing-only diagnosis. My concern is that this may represent a safety-related engine failure pattern involving coolant loss, overheating protection, and possible coolant intrusion, which could cause sudden vehicle disablement or engine failure. I have also opened a case with Ford requesting an independent review: Case CXH-07588177-W3Z8K7.

NHTSA ODI 11735003

Tail light has water intrusion and water shorted out the LED brake light on the driver's side rear of vehicles and has to be replaced as the ED'S are not serviceable.

NHTSA ODI 11734588

The engine cooling system and engine block failed due to coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders. This is a known issue in certain 2017 Ford Escape vehicles with the 1.5L or 2.0L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle experienced a loss of power and an engine malfunction while my daughter was driving it, which created a dangerous driving situation for her. The issue has been diagnosed by a mechanic. Prior to the failure, there were symptoms including the check engine light on, the car overheating, and the car running rough.

NHTSA ODI 11734592

2017 Ford Escape. 58K miles. Engine light turned on, took vehicle to Ford was informed there was an issue with a coil. $5000+ for repair. Warranty had already lapsed, took to an auto repair shop, coil replaced. Problem solved. 1 month later car overheats, zero coolant in vehicle. Coolant replaced and within 3-5 days level of coolant is less than half. Research and find a recall for coolant problems causing misfires. No letter received, VIN not listed in recall however the problem looks pretty prevalent via blogs and consumer feedback.

NHTSA ODI 11734709

April 2025 our Ford Escape, a 2017 model, had an issue with the car overheating, we brought to a dealer and the diagnosis was coolant leaking into the cylinders of the engine . Repair costs range $8-10,000.00 , new engine $11,000 plus. Through research on chat rooms we have discovered that this is a known issue with Ford's design, several consumer complaints and open class action lawsuit exists. Our dealer offered no assistance financially, we were told auto is out of warranty and no restitution is available to us. We've taken excellent care for this car and are seniors on fixed income. Like many other consumers facing the same engine issues, we are left with no choice but to absorb costs to repair the auto. Any trade in or resale value is diminished. Thank you for accepting our submission on this critical consumer issue. We are the original owners of this vehicle. Ford is showing no customer loyalty and, no concern for consumer safety as this "coolant intrusion" issue can cause the car to fail, shut down or catch fire.

NHTSA ODI 11734242

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 50-60 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated and jerked. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the failure was related to an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the recall because the VIN was not included. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed to the residence. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11734366

DAILY COOLANT LOSS WITH NO LEAK. LARGE VOLUME OF WHITE SWEET-SMELLING SMOKE IN MORNING AT START UP AS WELL AS ENGINE STUMBLING AT STARTUP. UNKNOWN COOLANT LOSS CAUSED OVERHEATING

NHTSA ODI 11734179

Coolant intrusion into the Engine issue with my 2017 Ford Escape was confirmed by University of Ford with a $12,000 price tag. I was told my car wasn't part of the recalls and it had 106,000 miles on it so it wouldn't be a part of it anyway. They offered me $500 to buy my car.

NHTSA ODI 11733181