MotorDeets

2017 Ford Escape: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2017 Ford Escape: 4 recalls, 2694 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.

4vehicle recalls
2694owner complaints
39mention a crash
26best combined mpg
2017 Ford Escape
Photo: Captainmorlypogi1959 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Electrical, Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #16V617000 · 2016 · 17,985 vehicles

What's wrong: 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."

Why it matters: If a window closes on a body part, it can increase the risk of injury.

The fix: Ford has notified owners, and dealers will update the power window operating system software, free of charge. The recall began on September 6, 2016.

Transmission & drivetrain, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #22V413000 · 2022 · 2,925,968 vehicles

What's wrong: The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission May degrade or detach.

Why it matters: 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.

The fix: 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…

Equipment Vehicle recall #26V011000 · 2026 · 116,672 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix: 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…

Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #26V374000 · 2026 · 18,124 vehicles

What's wrong: 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."

Why it matters: A closing window that does not reverse direction as expected can pinch a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will update the power window operating system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 22, 2026.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 15 mention a fire, 56 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Engine1577
Engine & cooling508
Transmission & drivetrain391
Electrical156
Other / unknown153
Wheels76
Fuel & propulsion72
Body & structure62

What owners describe

The 2017 Ford Escape has 2694 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 27 Escape model years for complaints (2.7× the average Escape year). Complaints peaked in 2024 (713 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 70,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2016 (1148 complaints, 4 recalls), 2018 (1810 complaints, 4 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
1.5 L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive233026Regular
2.0 L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive222925Regular
2.5 L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive212924Regular
2.5 L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive212924Gasoline or E85
1.5 L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive222824Regular
2.0 L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive202723Regular

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2017 Ford Escape.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 2017 Ford Escape manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 2017 Ford Escape manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 2017 Ford Escape manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2017 Ford Escape manual

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FAQ

Does the 2017 Ford Escape have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2017 Ford Escape. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2017 Ford Escape problems?

Owners have filed 2694 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (1577), engine & cooling (508), transmission & drivetrain (391).

What gas mileage does the 2017 Ford Escape get?

EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (1.5 L, Automatic (S6)), across 6 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2017 Ford Escape repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Escape years

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