2017 Ford Escape Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 509about this part
- Share
- 19%of 2,702 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,116miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 509 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2017 Ford Escape, 19% of the 2,702 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,116 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Engine warning light came on while driving. Vehicle is operable but service department has indicated coolant intrusion needs new engine short block replaced to operate the vehicle. This is our only transportation and we have been advised not to drive the vehicle as the engine could seize up at any time.”
NHTSA complaint #11571402, filed 2024-02“The car was overheating so I brought it to the dealership to have it looked at. I was informed that there was coolant leaking into one of the engine cylinders causing the car to overheat with the possibility of it even catching on fire.”
NHTSA complaint #11427484, filed 2021-08“The main issue with the engine is the check engine light comes on prematurely, the coolant leaks into the cylinders, and the engine lacks power. My vehicle is having a cylinder 2 and 4 misfire. Coolant leaks are a big problem! Not only does the leak have to be repaired, but the cylinders also have to be replaced or repaired. my vehicle is a newer ford with vary low mile and has been well managed and taken care of with oil changes and yearly checks and tuneups when necessary. …”
NHTSA complaint #11454159, filed 2022-02“The check engine light came on. I was told by my regular repair shop that there was a bulletin from Ford and I had to have it fixed by a dealer’s service department. I was then made aware by the Ford dealer’s service department that coolant had leaked into the engine and destroyed it leading to the engine needing to be replaced. My car is 5 years old with 79,000 miles. This is unacceptable. Initially the dealer told me I would have to pay $8600 to have my car fixed. I still owe $7500 on the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11462827, filed 2022-04“The engine has a known issue where coolant leaks into the cylinders. There is no fix for this. It affects all Escapes 2013-2019. Ford did a very limited recall restricted to just the 1.6L engines but the issue affects all engines. My escape is at the dealership now and has confirmed that my engine has this issue. I called Ford to ask what they were going to do to correct this issue. They acknowledged that there is a problem and that they know this is their issue but at this time will not do anything to help me. If I continue to drive my car it could catch on fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #11566947, filed 2024-01Related service bulletins
- 10251952Mar 6, 2024For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak…
- 10233681Mar 2, 2023Some 2014-2020 Fusion and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles may be equipped with a 1.5L Ecoboost engine that uses a 50-tooth variable camshaft timing (VCT) intake and exhaust unit from…
- 10218621Aug 15, 2022Some 2014-2019 Fusion vehicles built on or before 10-Jun-2019 and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles built on or before 08-Apr-2019 equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit low…
- 10214126Jun 10, 2022Some 2015-2018 Edge and 2017-2019 Fusion/MKZ/Escape/MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and/or a runs rough…
- 10214128Jun 9, 2022Certain 2017-2019 Model Year Fusion and Escape Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L GTDI Engine - Powertrain Control Module Programming - Some of the affected vehicles may exhibit…
- 10213732Jun 9, 2022Certain 2017-2019 Model Year Fusion and Escape Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L GTDI Engine â Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion. In some of the affected vehicles…
- 10213728Jun 9, 2022Certain 2017-2019 Model Year Fusion and Escape Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L GTDI Engine - Powertrain Control Module Reprogramming. Some of the affected vehicles may exhibit…
- 10210392Apr 15, 2022Some 2014-2019 Fusion vehicles built on or before 10-Jun-2019 and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles built on or before 08-Apr-2019 equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit low…
- 10210391Apr 15, 2022Some 2015-2018 Edge and 2017-2019 Fusion/MKZ/Escape/MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and/or a runs rough…
- 10207136Jan 28, 2022Some 2017-2020 Fusion/MKZ and 2017-2019 Escape/MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may require replacement of the long block engine assembly. New service kits have…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 15% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 4 | 4% |
| 2022 | 6 | 3% |
| 2021 | 4 | 1% |
| 2020 | 12 | 1% |
| 2019 | 94 | 16% |
| 2018 | 345 | 19% |
| 2017 | 509 | 19% |
| 2016 | 57 | 5% |
| 2015 | 44 | 4% |
| 2014 | 187 | 9% |
| 2013 | 175 | 6% |
| 2012 | 6 | 1% |
| 2011 | 17 | 1% |
| 2010 | 35 | 2% |
| 2009 | 37 | 2% |
| 2008 | 38 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 2% |
| 2006 | 21 | 5% |
| 2005 | 90 | 6% |
| 2004 | 18 | 4% |
| 2003 | 47 | 8% |
| 2002 | 294 | 29% |
| 2001 | 282 | 28% |
Other parts of the 2017 Ford Escape
1,583 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
391 complaintsOther or unknown
158 complaintsElectrical system
156 complaintsFuel system
94 complaintsWheels
76 complaintsBody and structure
62 complaintsBrakes
50 complaintsSteering
49 complaintsExterior lighting
40 complaintsVehicle speed control
31 complaintsAir bags
21 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 Ford Escape
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology