There are 18 owner-reported speed control & cruise complaints for the 2017 Ford Escapein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
My son was driving this car home from school and while going through a busy street, the car suddenly buckled and stalled and he was almost t-boned. Thankfully he was not hit. We later found out that this vehicle was assembled in a plant that has a known line issue with their engine blocks. This issue caused one of the cylinders to crack and fluid to leak in causing the issue that almost caused the accident. We were made aware that this is a known issue by our service person. Ford is aware of it as they have issued CSPs and TSPs regarding the issue but have yet to issue a recall and will not cover repair costs or offer to fix vehicles before they have the issue. Ford should have a safety recall to prevent possible accidents as these vehicles age and the problem occurs more regularly.
2017 Ford Escape SE 4WD with a 4 CLYINDER D 1.5 DI TURBO engine. We purchased this vehicle used, in 2019 with 42,384 miles. We have kept up with all scheduled maintenance through the dealership. Until April of this year, we have had ZERO issues with this vehicle! First, the check engine light came on Upon starting, another warning "Engine Fault Service Now" would appear. Aside from the lights, the only initial indication something may be off was the "sloshing" noise that came from the engine after shutting it off. Initially, we took the car to our independent mechanic who informed us that the car was experiencing coolant intrusion into the engine and the only remedy would be to replace the engine. He shared with us that this type of engine is NOTORIOUS for this malfunction. Being as Darling's could not give us an appointment promptly, , we just kept checking the coolant levels and cautiously drove the vehicle. On May 3, I was driving when the dash lit up with "High Engine Temperature-stop safely" warnings and the gauge went from normal to all the way to H. We added coolant and this did not happen again. However, between May 3 and the date of our appointment at the dealership, May 17th, a host of new problems seemed to happen overnight. The car would not start several times both after being driven and sitting overnight. While backing down my driveway, the car stalled and wouldn't start again, luckily I wasn't in traffic. Right before our appointment and the final straw was when I was leaving for work. The car wouldn't start, so I left it for a few minutes and I was able to restart it. I drove down the street maybe a block away when all this white smoke filled the inside of the car along with pouring out the back exhaust. Darling's stated it "coded P0304, for a misfire on 4, coolant was entering cylinder 4, needs a motor". Cost to fix is more than what the car is worth and we still owe $4000 on it. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL?
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The contact stated that the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while accelerating and occasionally surged forward while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 60,000.
I was on the highway doing 70+ and my car overheated and shut off. When i turned it back on the engine light was on and it was shaking like crazy. I took it to the dealership and they told me that it is a known prob and it has a coolant leak into the engine. I can see online that this is happening to thousands of people and ford is refusing to fix it. I could be dead right now. They’ve known about this problem for years but will not replace my engine.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER GRAND-DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND DECELERATED TO 8 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT WHO ERASED SEVERAL UNKNOWN DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES. THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED AFTER THE CODES WERE ERASED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ERASING THE CODES WOULD NOT PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM RECURRING. ZECK FORD (4501 S 4TH ST, LEAVENWORTH, KS 66048, (913) 727-1650) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 64,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND CEASED IN THE DEPRESSED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GLENWOOD SPRINGS FORD (55 STORM KING RD, GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO 81601) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MECHANISM AND BINDING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,312.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND AND THEN SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2016. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BARBER FORD OF HAZLETON (1112 N CHURCH ST, HAZLETON, PA 18202) AT LEAST SIX TIMES, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS 24051505. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,642.
HAD A CRASH YESTURDAY,PULLED INTO BUSINESS, APPLIED BRAKES,DID NOT WORK CAR STARTED ACCELERATING COULD NOT STOP,BRAKE S DID NOT WORK,CRASHED INTO BUILDING,,CAR GOT TOWED,15 THOUSAND DOLLAR DAMAGE MY INS.HAS TO PAY,PLUS THE CORNER OF BUILDING.POLICE REPORT SAID,FAILED TO STOP,I COULD NOT.THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED,CONTACTED FORD,WITH NO AVAIL. HAVE FRACTURED RIBS,PLENTY OF BRUISING, AND MY NECK HURTS.ITS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE,WICH I BOUGHT NEW. I'M AFRAID OF DRIVING IT AGAIN,WHAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN,AND I WOULD HURT SOMEONE ELSE.FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MATTER,NOW I HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER CAR,I WILLNOT DRIVE THE SAME CAR AGAIN
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN THE CITY, I FELT A JOLT, ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT HAD ZERO GAS PEDAL RESPONSE. RPM SLOWLY BLED OFF AS I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT WHILE DODGING THROUGH TRAFFIC. WHEN THE JOLT WAS FELT, A "CHECK MANUAL" MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DRIVER'S INFORMATION SCREEN. NO OTHER MESSAGES OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE AND RE-STARTED IT AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMAL AGAIN. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO FORD. THEY CHECKED AND FOUND NO CODES. CHECKED ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY, TEST DROVE IT, AND COULD NOT REPLICATE THE FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE HESITATED UPON ACCELERATION. THE DEALER (BILL BROWN FORD IN LIVONIA, MICHIGAN) WAS CALLED AND THE CONTACT LEFT A VOICEMAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER MY CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT A TREE. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN FOUND BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I CAN PICK UP THE CAR EVEN THOUGH FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS KEEPING THE CLAIM OPEN.
I AM WRITING DUE TO MY CONCERN ABOUT MY 2017 FORD ESCAPE. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN MAY 2017. SEPT 8TH ,THE ENGINE STOPPED SUDDENLY WHEN I BRAKED TO PULL INTO THE PARKING LOT AT WORK..THE MESSAGE ON THE DASH BOARD WAS : MANUAL START REQUIRED SO I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED IT WITHOUT DIFFICULTY I WENT TO WORK FOR THE DAY. AT THE END OF THE DAY I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PULLED ONTO A VERY BUSY CITY STREET . I DROVE ABOUT 100 FEET WHEN I BRAKED AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN AGAIN ,IN TRAFFIC. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. ON SEPTEMBER 13TH I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THEM THAT MY CAR WAS REPAIRED AND READY TO GO . I WAS RELUCTANT TO TRUST THIS VEHICLE I WAS CONCERNED IT WAS UNSAFE HOWEVER I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO TRUST IN THEIR REPAIR. SEPTEMBER 22ND .I AM COMMUTING HOME AGAIN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WHEN I BRAKE AT BUSY INTERSECTION DURING A RAIN STORM AT RUSH HOUR IT WOULD NOT RESTART THIS WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. I TURNED ON THE 4 WAY FLASHERS SO I EXITED THE VEHICLE , CALLED 911 AS I WAS AFRAID MY VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WAS GOING TO CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. CARS WERE BLOWING HORNS AND SWERVING TO AVOID MY DISABLED VEHICLE. I ALSO CONTACTED MY HUSBAND AS I WAS CLOSE TO HOME. HE WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE GOING BY SWAPPING OUT A FUSE AND I GOT IT HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS ONCE AGAIN TOWED FOR REPAIR I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AS I FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE THIS WAS THE RESPONSE I RECEIVED.I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE REQUESTING THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY BUY BACK YOUR 2017 FORD ESCAPE. REGRETTABLY, I MUST ADVISE YOU THAT FORD WILL NOT BE BUYING BACK THE VEHICLE IT APPEARS THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A REPURCHASE OR REPLACEMENT UNDER THE STATE GUIDELINES . I HAVE EMAILS AND RECEIPTS BUT AM NOT SURE HOW TO SHARE THEM FOR YOUR PURPOSES.
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 5:30 PM ON 8/11 AND, WHEN I GOT HOME, MY HUSBAND SAW THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN LEAKING OIL AND I WAS LOW ON OIL DESPITE THE FACT THAT I HAD AN OIL CHANGE ONE MONTH PRIOR. WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP AT 10:45 AM ON 8/12, THE CAR WAS NOT ACCELERATING NORMALLY AND THE MPG READINGS WERE ALL OVER THE PLACE. AS I WAS GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR BEGAN TO LOSE ITS ABILITY TO ACCELERATE WELL, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND EVENTUALLY THE CAR LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE COMPLETELY. I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A TOLL BOOTH AT THE TIME THE CAR LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE SO I COASTED THROUGH AND SAW A PARKING LOT FOR TOLL BOOTH OPERATORS. AS I WAS TRYING TO MAKE MY WAY TO THAT PARKING LOT, SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE CAR THROUGH THE VENTS. I COASTED INTO THE PARKING LOT AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RAN OUT AT WHICH POINT I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND FLAMES WERE ESCAPING THROUGH THE GRILL, UNDER THE HOOD AND OUT THE BOTTOM. THE STATE POLICE ARRIVED IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER AND USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. NO WARNING NOTICE CAME ACROSS THE DASHBOARD UNTIL THE CAR LOST ACCELERATION ABILITY COMPLETELY AT WHICH POINT THE SCREEN SAID TO SHIFT TO "P" AND MANUALLY RESTART. AT THAT POINT, HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS FILLING WITH SMOKE SO I IMMEDIATELY VACATED, SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND RAN AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. I HAVE FILED AN INSURANCE CLAIM AND AM AWAITING CONTACT.
I TURNED FROM THE PARKING LOT INTERSECTION IN EAGLE RUN SHOPPING CENTER, NW OF WENDY'S, FROM WEST TO SOUTH ONTO THE PARKING LOT ROAD THAT ACCESSES THE W MAPLE RD & BIRCH ST INTERSECTION. I COMPLETED MY TURN AND DROVE SOUTH DOWN THE PARKING LOT ACCESS ROAD TO THE W MAPLE & BIRCH ST INTERSECTION WHERE THE TRAFFIC LIGHT WAS RED. I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP TO WAIT FOR A GREEN LIGHT. I STOPPED A WAYS BACK FROM THE MEDIAN CURB OF THE INTERSECTION TO ALLOW FOR TURNING TRAFFIC FROM THE WEST. SHORTLY LATER, WHILE WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE, I NOTICED A VIBRATION OF THE CAR AND LOOKED AT THE TACHOMETER WHICH SHOWED 1,200 RPM & RISING (600RPM IS NORMAL). IMMEDIATELY THE CAR BEGAN TO PHYSICALLY LUNGE FORWARD WITH INCREASED ENGINE NOISE SO I INSTINCTIVELY PLACED MORE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH HAD NO AFFECT. THE CAR'S ENGINE WAS NOW RACING WIDE OPEN & I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR'S RAPIDLY INCREASING FORWARD MOTION. AT THIS POINT, TO AVOID A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT BY BEING PULLED INTO TRAFFIC AT THE INTERSECTION, I STEERED TO THE RIGHT TOWARDS THE SHOULDER HITTING THE TRAFFIC LIGHT POLE WITH THE BRAKE APPLIED THE ENTIRE TIME.
I TURNED FROM THE PARKING LOT INTERSECTION IN EAGLE RUN SHOPPING CENTER, NW OF WENDY'S, FROM WEST TO SOUTH ONTO THE PARKING LOT ROAD THAT ACCESSES THE W MAPLE RD & BIRCH ST INTERSECTION. I COMPLETED MY TURN AND DROVE SOUTH DOWN THE PARKING LOT ACCESS ROAD TO THE W MAPLE & BIRCH ST INTERSECTION WHERE THE TRAFFIC LIGHT WAS RED. I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP TO WAIT FOR A GREEN LIGHT. I STOPPED A WAYS BACK FROM THE MEDIAN CURB OF THE INTERSECTION TO ALLOW FOR TURNING TRAFFIC FROM THE WEST. SHORTLY LATER, WHILE WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE, I NOTICED A VIBRATION OF THE CAR AND LOOKED AT THE TACHOMETER WHICH SHOWED 1,200 RPM & RISING (600RPM IS NORMAL). IMMEDIATELY THE CAR BEGAN TO PHYSICALLY LUNGE FORWARD WITH INCREASED ENGINE NOISE SO I INSTINCTIVELY PLACED MORE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH HAD NO AFFECT. THE CAR'S ENGINE WAS NOW RACING WIDE OPEN & I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR'S RAPIDLY INCREASING FORWARD MOTION. AT THIS POINT, TO AVOID A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT BY BEING PULLED INTO TRAFFIC AT THE INTERSECTION, I STEERED TO THE RIGHT TOWARDS THE SHOULDER HITTING THE TRAFFIC LIGHT POLE WITH THE BRAKE APPLIED THE ENTIRE TIME.
I HAD THE CRUISE ON AT AROUND 70MPH I CAME UP ON TRAFFIC SO I TOUCHED THE BRAKES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING ALMOST TO THE RED LINE IT WAS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED DOWN TO A LOWER GEAR ALL OF A SUDDEN.THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY ROAD TESTED IT ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEY SAID THEY TRIED EVERYTHING THEY COULD THINK OF 25 TIMES AND COULDN'T,DUPLICATE IT. THEY ALSO SAID FORD HAD NO BULLETINS OR COMPLAINTS OR RECALLS ON THIS CAR.
WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY THE CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. A WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON ADVISING ME THAT THE AUTO START/STOP WAS NOT WORKING AND I MUST PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY.
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN PARKING AT SLOW SPEED WITH ECO ON. OFTEN SEEN INTO GARAGE WHICH IS SLIGHT INCLINE. AUTOMOBILE STOPS MOVING AND ANY TOUCH OF THE ACCELERATOR CAUSES FAST SURGE REQUIRING VERY QUICK BRAKING. VERY REPEATABLE UNDER SLOW CONDITIONS. SELLING DEALER CHECKED VEHICLE AND REPORTED THAT SYSTEM OPERATING AS DESIGNED WHEN AUTO STOP/START IS ACTIVATED. THIS DESIGN IS DANGEROUS AND THE SYSTEM SHOULD NOT DEFAULT TO ENGINE AUTO STOP ACTIVATED. *TR
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