Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Escape vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 16V617. 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."
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Executive Vehicle Verdict
The 2017 Ford Escape is associated with 2662 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 4 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.
The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 1162 reports (44% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 6 certified vehicle configurations spanning 1.5l 4-cyl, 2l 4-cyl, and 2.5l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 23 to 26 MPG combined.
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 2662 consumer reports filed
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 4 official campaigns
- • Primary Defect Domain: Engine (1162 / 44%)
- • Field Incident Signals: 39 crash / 15 fire / 38 injury reports
- • NCAP Crash Safety: 5 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
- • EPA Certified Range: 23–26 MPG across 6 powertrain trims
What is the fuel economy and range of the 2017 Ford Escape?
Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escape FWD | 1.5L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 23 MPG | 30 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
| Escape FWD | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 22 MPG | 29 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| Escape FWD | 2.5L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 21 MPG | 29 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $2,550 / yr |
| Escape FWD FFV | 2.5L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 21 MPG | 29 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $2,550 / yr |
| Escape AWD | 1.5L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 22 MPG | 28 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $2,550 / yr |
| Escape AWD | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 20 MPG | 27 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2017 Ford Escape?
Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV FWD | 19.1% | ||||
| SUV AWD | 18.5% |
Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2017 Ford Escape models.
What defect complaints are reported for the 2017 Ford Escape?
Summary of 2662 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2017 Ford Escape problems & component breakdown (138 categories) →Are there open safety recalls on the 2017 Ford Escape?
Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2017 Ford Escape
Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2017 Ford Escape
How many safety recalls does the 2017 Ford Escape have?
The 2017 Ford Escape is associated with 4 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.
If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2017 Ford Escape?
NHTSA records list 2,662 consumer defect complaints for the 2017 Ford Escape. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Engine, appearing in 1162 filings (44% of submissions).
Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2017 Ford Escape?
Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2017 Ford Escape earned an Overall Safety Rating of 5 out of 5 stars across 2 tested configuration(s).
Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.
What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2017 Ford Escape get?
Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2017 Ford Escape range from 23 to 26 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.
Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.
The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
- NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
- U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.
Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.