There are 35 owner-reported brakes complaints for the 2017 Ford Escapein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Component: BRAKE BOOSTER While driving on the interstate (at 80mph), check engine light came on and vehicle struggled to maintain power to stay at speed, would downshift for power to get back but as soon as it up shifted speed would drop again. My fuel mileage also dropped drastically as well as forced me to exit interstate on order to get gas. In attempt to stop at the stop sign, I discovered I had little to no brakes. Brake pedal was extreme hard and could not be pushed down. Luckily no cars where in front of me or coming when I reached the stop sign, had to be put into N to stop/stay stopped at the sign until it was safe to completely exit the off ramp and get to the nearby gas station to safely park the car. SAFETY: Highly compromised for myself as well as others as it was impossible to stop/slow quickly nearly at all. Independent garage: all issued (including engine power) were direct result of Brake Booster FAILURE. Component has been replaced and remedied with a new replacement brake booster. I obtained pictures as well as kept the original part as it has clear damage to one side due to manufacturer/mechanical defect. - Ford has recalled this exact part, cause & reason for thousands of OTHER newer models. However clearly 2017 escapes are also effected. At first glimpse, it disnt appear that the brakes were the entire cause of rhe issues, especially since the brake light failed to come on.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the ABS sensor lights was illuminated. Additionally, the engine block was previously replaced and there were unknown failures with the windshield wipers and windows operating previously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the undercarriage of the vehicle was in a flood and was rusted. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
The brakes locked up and was red hot had to poor water on them, had our shop put new brake pads ,rotors ,new hoses on rotors and brake calibers on it. It got so hot it melted the hose .Not even 2 weeks later it has done it again. So shop started all over with new pads ,rotors,hoses ,calibers ,and Master cylindeda.Still didnt fix the issues. They said something is got to be wrong with the ibs . I have had it towed to the dealership in panama city Fl. were we can trade it in cause we are scared of it now But there should be a recall on this before someone gets hurt This is very dangerous and could make you lose control of the vehicle when it does this white driving.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the brakes engaged unintendedly, and the vehicle came to an immediate stop. There was no warning light illuminated. The engine did not turn off, and the contact stated that there was no traffic nearby during the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,601.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact's daughter stated that while driving 40 MPH around a bend, the brakes failed to function as intended. The contact's daughter depressed the brake pedal, but the brake pedal seized. The contact's daughter had to depress the brake pedal with force. The vehicle came to a stop when the contact's daughter shifted the vehicle into park(P). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with vacuum brake booster pump failure. The vehicle was repaired. The contact's daughter stated that when the mechanic took the vehicle for a test drive, the timing belt fractured. The vehicle was then diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000.
I had recently brought an SUV that came with no manuals for that vehicle. Which is important and crucial, but the scariest part and a life-threatening way. It came with no brake fluid at all. I was shocked, and you put my life and my son in danger. I will file a complain with Federal Trade Commission (FTC), State's Attorney General's Office, State's Department Of Commerce , Better Business Bureau (BBB) and The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for car safety issues and manufacturer recalls. It can be dangerous, and your brakes may not work properly. The fluid operates under high temperatures and high pressure, and without it, your car would not be able to stop when you push the brake pedal inside your vehicle. It will simply go to the floor without stopping, which will have catastrophic consequences. Thank you, Falvey's. I will order the manuals myself and go to O’Reilly Auto Parts first thing this morning to top off my brake fluid. Thank you, [XXX] , for protecting me and my son. The devil is a liar. That my consciousness told me to do further research and investigation. I forgive you all and hope the next customers get treated professionally, especially when it comes to safety. Number one priority! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The car experienced a sudden loss of boost power and, at the same time, and MUCH more concerning and dangerous, a total loss of brake power assist. The brakes were firm (hard), but had ZERO power assist, and I could barely stop the car at idle in my driveway, much less on a highway or open road. I thank God that my son, who was driving at the time, was not in a dangerous situation when this failure occurred. It turns out, a single vacuum pump, mated directly to the camshaft, applies vacuum boost to the turbo (power loss) and brakes (catastrophic brake failure). I replaced the vacuum pump, but the problem persisted, so I had to take it in to the dealership for evaluation. I was told the problem is the bolt that mates the vacuum pump to the cam shears off when the vacuum pump seizes. I subsequently read of many cases of this problem on the Escape, but also on the F-150 (for which there is apparently a recall???) -- really, any Ford with an Ecoboost turbo engine. Additionally, the bolt shearing and vacuum pump disintegrating, leads to metal shavings that destroy the turbo. How this VERY serious road hazard caused by a terrible engineering design flaw (single point of catastrophic failure) hasn't resulted in a MAJOR safety recall for all these Ford Ecoboost engines is totally shocking and beyond me. This is coming from an engineer who has spent 50+ years working on cars. NHTSA has absolutely failed in not addressing this terrible safety and design problem.
My 2017 Ford escape 1.5L ecoboost. Had the brake booster completely fail while driving down the highway on Oct. 27th. I took it the next day to the Ford Service center in my area. They informed me it was the Brake booster and would cost around $1100. They called me two days later and told me instead it was the vacuum pump, and that it was be cheaper to fix. They said it would be done that following Monday. On Monday I got a phone call asking me when the last time I changed/checked my oil. I told them it was changed on Aug 7th. It was checked (with video evidence) on October 19th. They told me they were “test driving my vehicle and heard a loud pop, followed by my car turning off.” They informed me that there was very little oil in my pan and that my car had thrown a rod. I explain that my oil level was fine, and that my car had no indication of needing oil. They replied with similar comments such as “the car gave no warning or indication light. It was driving just fine, it was shifting fine. Everything was fine until pop.” My husband asked his mechanic (who was unavailable at the time) and was told “when a vacuum pump goes out the engine will continue to supply oil in an attempt to cool the pump. The oil will then go to the exhaust and due to the eco system on the exhaust. The driver won’t know.” With this information, an investigation into a recall seems necessary.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to slow the vehicle, the contact had to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard before the brakes functioned properly. The contact stated that an alarm activated while driving, prompting her to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the rear brake rotors. The contact was informed that the key fob needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000.
2017 Ford Escape 1.5 ecoboost with only 50,571 miles. The engine failed as did the brakes due to the booster breaking off at the engine cam. I called Ford Motor Company and they asked me to take it to a Ford dealer because they have a customer service program on that engine which extended the power train warranty period to seven years. I notified Ford of the engine failure in August 2024, made an appointment at a Ford dealer per their request, had it towed to the dealer, and on 10/31/24 the Ford dealer notified me that the engine was defective and will cost $8000 to fix it. Ford Motor Company said sorry, the 7 year in service date on this vehicle expired on 10/19/24 just 12 days earlier, and refused to fix the engine. I had to pay the Ford dealer a $210 check out fee then go to the expense of towing the vehicle back home and stuck with a junk vehicle that Ford knows their ecoboost engine has a manufacturers defect.
For the last few months, I’ve noticed that my vehicle’s brake mechanism hasn’t been stable, also audible /noises coming from brakes at time, vehicle has an EVAP leak, causing vehicle not to start after refilling with gas. Yesterday, 6/11, while traveling, there was a notice that said engine was overheated and to stop vehicle safely. I was on a restricted highway on a very slim shoulder, very traumatized, but after 3 hours successfully has vehicles towed to a repair shop. No work has started.
Emergency brake sets itself. Car won't start. Takes many attempts to get brake to release and be able to drive car.
In Jan 2019, we bought this certified pre-owned car. Recently, we received a recall noticed that involved the timing system. We took it in and was told that the system was resolved and there was no further issues. Two days after leaving the dealer, the check engine light came on. The car began having the same issues that where present before taking it in for the recall timing issues. When I called to return the car, I was told that there was no further issues to address and I was responsible for any further concerns. Shortly after my brake pedal became stiff and was difficult to stop. I was able to get it stopped safely. The next day the engine died and would not start. After taking it to a mechanic, I was told the the engine would need to be replaced due to the timing belt snapping. The car had less than 70,000 miles on it and if there were any issues with the timing belt they should have been caught during the time the recall issues were addressed.
When approaching a red light on 8/12/22 in dry conditions, my son attempted to push brake part way down to slow on approach. Nothing happened. Pushed brake all the way to floor and vehicle barely slowed. Brakes had been serviced in May 2022. Vehicle had 36,094 miles. Note: accident report not under owner's name as I was not the driver.
Traveling on I-77 in Bland County Virginia. I was doing 70 mph and had to slow to 40 mph due to a tractor trailer. Brakes failed, made it off the interstate safely. I went to a garage. They installed front brake pads which did not help. Upon checking, they recommended a vacuum pump as my brakes were no better and all of the oil was leaking out of my car. I checked with Ford and my warranty expired on May 16, 2022. Cannot even drive the car due to the oil and brake issue. The vacuum pump had disintegrated.
NOTICED ONE OF THE TWO SCREWS THAT ATTACHES THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS MISSING. THE OTHER SCREW WAS ABOUT TO FALL OUT AND THE RESERVOIR WAS LEANING SUCH THAT SOME OF THE BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT THE CAP. IF THE OTHER SCREW HAD FALLEN OUT THIS COULD PRESENT A VERY HAZARDOUS CONDITION. 2017 FORD ESCAPE, V6 ENGINE WITH 25523 MILES.
THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE AND ALSO THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE MAKES THE SAME NOISE.WHEN TAKING OFF BY BACKING OUT OR PULLING OUT AND APPLYING THE BRAKES IT MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND
WHEN I PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKES IT MAKES IT KIND OF LIKE AN AIR SOUND OR SQUEAKING SOUND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A REPAIR SHOP THREE TIMES TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE LAST TIME I TOOK A DARE THEY AGREED ALL THE FITTINGS AND JOINTS AND STUFF LIKE THAT. I WAS DRIVING TO GEORGIA JUST LAST WEEK AND A TRAFFIC HOLLOW TO THE TOP AND I HAD TO PRESS DOWN HARD ON THE BRAKE IT MADE A REALLY LOUD SUCTION OR SQUEAKING SOUND I'M WONDERING IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THESE BRAKES. SQUEAKING SOUND MAYBE I'VE HEARD ONE EITHER YOU PRESS DOWN REALLY HARD ON THE BRAKE OR WHEN YOU HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKE ALL OF A SUDDEN
2017 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO INSTRUMENT PANEL. CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ARE ILLUMINATED THEY ARE A DISTRACTION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND 4X4 DISENGAGED WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A DEALER THAT COULD INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE. *JS
REAR BRAKE ROTORS ARE RUSTED AND HAVE DEEP GROOVES WITH OBVIOUS BRAKE PAD WEAR TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE. THIS VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS ISSUE ONLY TO BE TOLD THIS IS NORMAL. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP EMPLOYEE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL DATING BACK TO 2013 AND THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ADDRESS THE DEFECT. I HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH MY PREVIOUS 2014 EXACT MODEL AND HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKES AT MY EXSPENCE EVEN THOUGH IT TO WAS UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY.
Showing 1–20 of 35 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026