2017 Ford Escape: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 3080 complaints
3080
Total Complaints
69,000mi
Median Mileage
Engine
Top Issue
50
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
41,030
25th Percentile
69,000
Median Mileage
96,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Engine
1434
Engine And Engine Cooling
470
Power Train
350
Unknown Or Other
139
Electrical System
138
Fuel/Propulsion System
66
Wheels
54
Body
53
Steering
49
Service Brakes
45
Severity Assessment
50
Crashes
23
Fires
70
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"SEVERAL TIMES AFTER PULLING THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND GET IN AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED, THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE HAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION, SO THAT WHEN YOU GET INSIDE AND TRY TO SHUT THE DOOR, THE DOOR DOES NOT LATCH SHUT AND THE DOOR IS NOT SECURELY CLOSED THOUGH YOU M..."
"I WAS INVOLVED IN A 5 CAR PILE UP ON AN EXPRESS WAY TRAVELING 65 MILES PER HOUR AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. I WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND HAD MULTIPLE CONTUSIONS AND CONCUSSIONS FROM WHIPLASH."
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,124."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Engine
1434 complaints
25th: 48,000 mi
Median: 69,900 mi
75th: 95,000 mi
Engine And Engine Cooling
470 complaints
25th: 62,000 mi
Median: 82,000 mi
75th: 103,190 mi
Power Train
350 complaints
25th: 46,000 mi
Median: 74,000 mi
75th: 106,831 mi
Unknown Or Other
139 complaints
25th: 9,700 mi
Median: 24,993 mi
75th: 50,000 mi
Electrical System
138 complaints
25th: 17,403 mi
Median: 33,589 mi
75th: 60,000 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
MI: 242
CA: 218
TX: 202
OH: 192
FL: 179
PA: 158
IL: 137
NY: 118
VA: 116
GA: 111
Who Files Complaints?
0.3%
Original Owners
99.7%
Second+ Owners
Ford Escape — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (3)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Power Window Devices And Controls
Campaign 16V617000 | 24/08/2016
If a window closes on a body part, it can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Campaign 22V413000 | 10/06/2022
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.
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 notifica
Engine Block Heater
Campaign 26V011000 | 15/01/2026
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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 lett
Extend Your Engine Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Change oil on schedule — this is the single most important thing you can do
- Use the manufacturer-recommended oil weight and type
- Replace the air filter every 15,000-30,000 miles
- Don't ignore the check engine light — small issues become expensive fast
- Let the engine warm up for 30 seconds before driving hard in cold weather
- Address coolant leaks immediately to prevent overheating damage
Compare Ford Escape
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28