2017 FORD ESCAPE Engine Problems

My check engine light came on and the mechanic said it was spark plugs. I had it fixed and then it came on a week later and they said they didn’t know what it was. A week later all my panel was flashing telling me to pull over immediately. I almost got in an accident while trying to pull over in the emergency of the warning. The dealer said it’s a coolant leak in the engine and a fault of Ford’s eco boost engine and nothing at all that is my fault. Now they want $7,100 to fix it and Ford knows they caused the issue in their cars. I don’t know why I should pay for the engine replacement when Ford knows it’s their fault.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

My engine was replaced 80,000 miles ago for a coolant intrusion. In April, I had a check engine light. Ended up being for a misfire. Using a borescope, we were able to confirm that there was coolant in cylinder 3, confirming another coolant intrusion.

Check engine light on, running rough on startup. Diagnosed as Coolant Intrusion in Cylinder No. 2 as result of engine warpage.

Check engine light activated and taken to mechanic. Diagnosed as multiple spark plug misfires in engine cylinder caused by engine coolant leaking into cylinder. White smoke from exhaust seen when starting car. Coolant levels dropping quickly; approx 1 gallon per month. With multiple misfires, stability and reliability of car acceleration is decreased, thus increasing the possibility of accidents. With coolant levels dropping, risk of engine overheating is increased. Dependability of vehicle for long trips is compromised. Ford Motor Company is aware of this design flaw in their ECO Boost engines as indicated by their Ford Technical Service Bulletin 19-2208 where the only fix is to replace the engine, however they refuse to take responsibility to repair. A nationwide recall of all Ford vehicles with ECO Boost engines needs to be enacted for inspection of this problem and engines replaced by Ford if coolant leak into engine cylinders is confirmed. The...

Bad engine design flaw causes the cylinder sleeve to become unattached and it rises up , damages the head gasket and ruins the engine. There have been multiple repairs of this year engine in escapes in our area. A very well known defect.

The Check Engine light was going on and off. I took it into a repair shop and they told me there was a coolant leak in the engine and a full engine repair needs to be done. After looking this up, I came to realize this is a very common issue with the make and model and ford refuses to pay for it.

Escape 2.0 Liter check engine light turned on. Code was cylinder misfire. Diagnosis was no issues with spark plugs. However coolant was low after having been checked and topped off during an oil change 2 weeks prior. Technician performed leak test and identified coolant intrusion in number one cylinder (attached photo is diagnosis). Ford Technical Services Bulletin recommends replacing with new long block engine.

My Ford Escape has had coolant leak into engine block, causing damage to cylinders and cylinder misfires, detailed in this service bulletin: [XXX] . The car has been checked by my mechanic, who confirms the problem. Dealership acknowledges that this problem is real and has had many customers who have had to replace motors because of it but says there has been no recall or extended warranty in respect to this design flaw and declines to resolve the problem at Ford's cost. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon driving into the driveway, the vehicle abruptly shut off without warning. The contact called an independent mechanic and was to bring the vehicle for an inspection. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal chugging sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. Upon inspection, the contact was informed that the engine long block was defective, leading to engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was informed that there was no warranty on the vehicle and that the vehicle was not covered under Technical Service Bulletin: 22-2229. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

Morning of April 25, 2025 heard unusual engine sound on 2017 Ford Escape, Eco Boost Engine. Evening - check engine light came on. Next morning took to dealer. "Diagnostics: retrieved code P0303, cylinder 3 misfire, pressure test cooling system, cylinder #3 has coolant intrusion, recommend engine assembly." Had we not paid attention to the issue immediately, the engine could have simply stopped running at some point while on the road. 10-11K to replace engine on 8 yr old car with 97K miles on it. Just like that no second car in the family, worthless without an engine, great financial loss and stress. Should be driving it for another 90K miles! Vehicle at home and cannot drive it, sell it, trade it. The 2017 Ford Escape has manufacturing defects (to include the paint)!

I own a 2017 Ford Escape equipped with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine. I am experiencing a known issue related to engine coolant intrusion into the cylinders, which has been reported by many owners and acknowledged by Ford through Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12. This issue involves coolant leaking internally into the combustion chamber—usually due to a flawed cylinder head casting—which can cause engine misfires, white exhaust smoke, rough idling, overheating, or complete engine failure. In my case, a coolant pressure test was performed, and it confirmed that the cooling system is losing pressure, which is consistent with internal coolant leakage into the engine. Despite this, Ford has declined to cover the repair under the 21N12 program, stating that my vehicle is not eligible by VIN, even though it is the correct model year and engine. I believe this constitutes a safety issue, as the engine could fail at highway speeds without...

The 2.0 Motor in my 2017 Ford Escape had a Check Engine light displayed for Engine Misfire on the #2 Cylinder after the OEM Scanner was run for the reason the Check Engine light was on by the Auto Mechanic at my workplace. I ordered the replacement cylinder and sparkplug, and it was replaced. I am no Mechanic, but this issue is similar to the 2013 Ford Escape with the 2.0 Motor which Ford put out a recall on and this issue is no different.

coolant leak into two pistons which in past ford escapes could cause the engine to overheat and potentially catch fire. was checked at the ford dealer on 04/24/2025

Getting a misfire code P0302 due to a coolant leak. I know it's a coolant leak due low coolant in reservoir. The check engine light comes on and off intermittently and the exhaust blows white smoke at start up.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. While the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was always serviced by the dealer since the vehicle was purchased in 2016. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 61,970.

We were informed by a tech that we had a coolant leak. The leak was soo bad that it was causing damage to the engine and seems to be a common issue with fords made around 2017. We are now unfortunately paying for the car although the damage to the engine has left us with a car we cannot drive.

Coolant Intrusion on my 2017 Ford Escape Ecoboost that requires a new engine.

Low coolant levels, running in rough condition with P0300, P0302 codes stored in the PCM. Confirmed presence of coolant intrusion into cylinder bores.

Bought car from DriveTime, October 23, 2023. Problems started happening in June 2024. Have detailed list. Have spent over $5,000 in repairs. There is a warranty that has covered some repairs. The 2 major issues have been a transmission replacement and most recently an engine replacement. The mechanic I am using is still having problems with completing the work.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a hard shift in the transmission when accelerating and decelerating. The contact stated that the vehicle was shaking abnormally while being started. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust system. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and there was a misfire coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that there was coolant leaking into the spark plugs, causing the spark plugs to fuse inside the cylinder. The spark plugs were removed, and it was determined that there was coolant inside cylinder #3 and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed the engine failure and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was...

Was driving home from work in the highway when all of a sudden my check engine not only comes on but is blinking meaning immediate issue and pull over. I went from 65MPH to all of sudden misfiring and having minimal acceleration power and having to pull over as safely as possible without hurting anyone. Once pulled over and now on the side of a busy highway during rush hour, my engine continue to vibrate and rumble before turning the car off. Got towed to the nearest mechanic who checked the engine light codes which were P300, P301, and P303, all of which are cylinder warning codes. After diagnosing and taking a deeper look he said my best bet was to find a new engine for replacement. He mentioned that the 1.5 Ecoboost Engine have a known problem of coolant leaking into the engine causing erosion and other problems beyond...

Coolant intrusion verified by Ford dealership (at 90k) which should fall in line with their recall but am being told to pay for repairs out of pocket. symptoms appeared around 36k miles and I took it to dealership to inspect and they told me they could not reproduce and could find no faults.

I was driving on I 95 and my check engine light came on, then the transmission light came on followed by No hill assist light.As I was driving home all of a sudden without warning my SUV dropped to 10 miles an hour while driving at at speed of 55 miles per hour.. For safety reasons I pulled over on to the shoulder, shut the SUV off a waited , and then I restarted the engine. The same lights came on and again I couldn't drive over 10 miles an hour. After sitting for over 5 months waiting for a recall because Ford said that's the only way they will fix the problem. I hired someone to look at my SUV, I called the Ford Hotline and asked if there was a recall, Because I remember 2 months before it broke down someone came out to my home to fix...

Coolant leaking into cylinder (number one). Multiple spark plug misfires and losing coolant that could overheat engine. Technical bulletin from Ford states the entire engine needs replacing.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a coolant intrusion into the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The contact researched and was made aware of an unknown Customer Satisfaction Program; however, the vehicle was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,919.

Vehicle has a rough idle when started and then runs well. Had check engine light. Took it to Ford dealer for service and they say it has coolant intrusion in the number one cylinder. They want $7,500 for new motor. The vehicle has 84,000 miles out of warranty.

Recently I was driving my car and it gave me an overheating warning I got out of the car to check and I noticed coolant disappearing and when I checked the oil it was a milky substance which indicates a blown head gasket due to the way they designed the short engine block. There have been many issues related to this and honestly it's poor design and it cost a lot of money to replace let alone the safety issues. This happened while I was driving with my kids.

Coolant leaking into the cylinders. This issue is linked to the engine's open deck cooling design, which can cause premature gasket failure or cracks between cylinders. Coolant is leaking into the cylinders and Ford knew about the design defect and did not issue a recall. Request NHTSA issue a recall.

I have owned the car for 2 years. Routine maintenance performed. Around the end of March 2025, beginning of April 2025 the check engine sensor came on. I brought it to a shop, Pep Boys. They called within the hour to tell me the head gasket was shot due to coolant getting in the engine. I have about 80,000 miles on the car.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle hesitated, stalled, and was shaking and vibrating abnormally. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road and waited for towing assistance. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a misfire and coolant intrusion in cylinder #2. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 19B37 (Engine - Powertrain Control Module Reprogramming); however, the VIN was not included in the Customer Satisfaction Program. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 83,000.

Blown Head. Is available for inspection. Check engine light came on and private mechanic noted cylinder 2 issue. Shortly thereafter car seized.

I’m reporting a safety concern related to engine failure in my 2017 Ford Escape SE. My vehicle is showing signs of coolant intrusion, including white smoke from the exhaust, a sweet chemical smell, and rapid coolant loss with no external leaks. A diagnostic tool confirmed a possible blown head gasket. This exact model is already known for engine issues, and I confirmed that Customer Satisfaction Program 19B37 was completed in 2020 to prevent this—but the issue has returned. I drive this vehicle daily with my two young children, including a baby. If the engine were to overheat or fail suddenly while driving, it could put us in serious danger. There are also known risks of engine fires from this defect, which is terrifying for a parent. The dealership says they can’t help, and Ford cannot offer assistance. I am asking NHTSA to investigate this further, as it is clearly a...

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 65-70 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated to 40 MPH and shuddered violently. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic, who determined that there was a hole in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. No further information was available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.

Coolant leaks into engine cylinders

The contact called on behalf of the owner of the 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his mother-in-law was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated and the engine overheated. Additionally, the contact stated that the message to “Pull over and turn off the vehicle” was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHSTA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,826.

Coolant leak. Originally had my transmission rebuilt in January 2025. My coolant overflow was completely empty, and upon filling it to the max, the next day it was below the minimum line on the overflow. I filled my coolant overflow on 3/23/25, and now it's completely bone dry again.

A very known issue of coolant intrusion to 2.0L ecoboost engine. Ford even admits they know and have redesigned replacement engines, but has consumers pay over 8K to put redesigned engine in! Absurd! Engine can lock/seize at anytime. Which can ultimately cause death by wreck if car quits unexpectedly on the road! My 2017 Ford Escape 2.0l ecoboost engine was confirmed today to have coolant intrusion. These cars keep being resold and becoming new owners headache while the dealer KNOWS! THIS SHOULD BE RECALLLED!! If Hyundai can stand by a faulty engine and fix their faulty engine, Ford should too!!

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a misfire coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The mechanic contacted a dealer for further assistance. The dealer confirmed that there was a known issue with the engine failure in similar vehicles. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Engine coolant leaks into the engine and it shuts down. Happened 3 times. We repaired not knowing it was same issues and now it broke down again on the highway. Now the mechanic says "you need a new engine". Perfect service records.

I purchased this vehicle very recently, and it has only 46,620 miles on it. However, the engine completely failed. I had it inspected by a licensed mechanic, and the diagnosis showed serious internal engine failure, including no compression and a blown head gasket. The repair estimate is over $6,000. I contacted Ford Customer Service, but they said they cannot provide any help at this time. The dealership I bought it from also refused to take responsibility. This has caused me significant financial and emotional stress. I would like to formally report this issue, and ask NHTSA to investigate whether this is a common defect in 2017 Ford Escapes with EcoBoost engines.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Check engine light came on and code said cylinders 1 and 2 were misfiring. Took it to dealership and were told coolant leaked/intrusion that has ruined the engine. Dealership stated that Ford is aware of the problem that is due to a design flaw but has yet to rectify the problem for customers. This is absolutely putting the safety of vehicle operators in danger as well as others on the road.

Engine block problems , fluid leakage.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting and driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle hesitated with a misfire in cylinder #2. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

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.

Our engine light came on in our 2017 Ford Escape Titanium with 51,917 miles on it on February 3, 2025, so we immediately visited our Ford dealer. The codes were P0302 and P0316 for misfire. Repairs completed included spark plugs, induction kit, air intake cleaner, sealant belts and gaskets, brake cleaner, antifreeze, and oil conditioner. We paid $3,979.21 for this repair. We picked up the vehicle and shortly later at 52,144 miles, it exhibited the exact same symptoms. We went back to the dealer and we were told that we then needed a new engine due to a coolant leak that had damaged ours. They did credit us back a small amount from the previous repair, but we paid this time $7,371.85 to have our car repaired. All of this has happened before 53,000 miles. We were told there was a coolant leak and that is what damaged the engine....

Transmission failed turbo failed electrical systems failed.

Block has crack in it and is losing coolant and running rough. I found out that is a problem with lots of 2017 Ford Escapes.

My 2017 Ford Escape 2.0 liter has a crack in the engine block and coolant leaking into the #1 cylinder. My car was diagnosed at Columbia Ford in CT. My car has < 80,000 miles and needs a new engine! No recalls found at this time. I did contact Ford and am waiting to hear back. This is a known problem by Ford and I believe there is a recall on the 1.5 liter engine with the same problem.