Known Recalls

Model year record

2017 Ford Escape

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 3,315 owner complaints on file.

Ford Escape, 2013–2019 generation
Pictured: the 2013–2019 generation. Captainmorlypogi1959, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 26V374000

Visibility: power window devices and controls

Component
Visibility: power window devices and controls
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
18,124
Reported to NHTSA
2026-06-09
Owners notified
2026-07-22

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

A closing window that does not reverse direction as expected can pinch a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will update the power window operating system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 22, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C29. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.

Recall campaignNHTSA 26V011000

Equipment: electrical: engine block heater

Component
Equipment: electrical: engine block heater
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
116,672
Reported to NHTSA
2026-01-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

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 letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V413000

Power train: shift linkage/cable/rod

Component
Power train: shift linkage/cable/rod
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
2,925,968
Reported to NHTSA
2022-06-10
Owners notified
2022-10-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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 notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V617000

Electrical system: software

Component
Electrical system: software
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
17,985
Reported to NHTSA
2016-08-24
Owners notified
2016-09-06

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2017 Ford Escape Titanium and SE vehicles manufactured October 5, 2015, to May 12, 2016. The settings for the closing-force of the power-operated windows may allow the windows to close on an object such as a body part and injure it before the windows auto-reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."

Safety risk

If a window closes on a body part, it can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine1,58270,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling49082,000 mi
Power train37473,000 mi
Unknown or other15323,000 mi
Electrical system14833,589 mi
Fuel/propulsion system7233,000 mi
Wheels5420,000 mi
Structure: body5332,980 mi
Steering4945,000 mi
Service brakes4516,000 mi
Exterior lighting3334,000 mi
Vehicle speed control3114,642 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2758,000 mi
Air bags2147,634 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1578,000 mi
Seat belts1417,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1398,000 mi
Visibility/wiper1145,045 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)719,000 mi
Suspension619,200 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system570,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter5100,000 mi
Tires518,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger496,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights472,000 mi
Seats4110,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic465,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: coil: spark plugs398,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor3100,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: evaporative emissions: canister388,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch32,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate343,000 mi
Back over prevention268,000 mi
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera234,000 mi
Carry handle, shell, base2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly270,600 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: seals/gaskets277,000 mi
Equipment2105,459 mi
Exterior lighting: back up lights272,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights272,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights2100,000 mi
Firerelated252,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump225,500 mi
Lane departure: assist2—
Lane departure: blind spot detection2—
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch222,400 mi
Other/i am not sure2—
Structure225,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields249,000 mi
Visibility267,000 mi
Back over prevention: rearview system braking1—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1105,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1107,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer1199,000 mi
Electrical system: software1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: crank/camshaft position sensor129,100 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: oil cooler1107,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control170,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1137,300 mi
Equipment: electrical1—
Equipment: electrical: infotainment124,570 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: evaporative emissions: hoses/valves/sensors1122,089 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1112,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump185,000 mi
Hybrid propulsion system1104,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages155,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: lock143,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock1—
Parking brake1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: internal: bearings/bushings1—
Power train: driveline: chain/belt: sprokets/pulleys1105,000 mi
Power train: shift linkage/cable/rod1—
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler1—
Structure: body: door15,124 mi
Structure: frame and members165,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm1152,000 mi
Suspension: rear: shock absorber158,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems118,000 mi
Tires: sidewall1—
Traction control system1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls157,187 mi
Visibility: windshield: critical fasteners155,800 mi

The 2016 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 2018 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Ford Escape model years

202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000

All Ford Escape recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.