2017 FORD ESCAPE Complaints

The 2017 Ford Escape was purchased on November 11, 2025 as a used vehicle with 65,626 miles on it. The car began to give Check Engine lights in February and March of 2026 with codes P0301 (Cylinder 1 Misfire) and P0303 (Cylinder 3 Misfire). Replaced coil packs and codes went away for a time. In April the car began running very rough, so it was taken to a local Ford Dealership for repair. By this time, we became aware of the coolant intrusion issue with these Ford Escape engines due to design flaw. The service personnel found no antifreeze intrusion into the cylinders but noted that the spark plugs had been changed from OEM to another type (before the expected time for a tuneup) and they were all fouled out, indicating that a potential problem existed. The spark plugs were replaced with OEM plugs and the car ran fine for a time. The P0303 (Cylinder 3 Misfire) Check Engine code returned on April 13. Took the vehicle to a different Ford Dealership for repair. Provided previous maintenance information and extended warranty information to Service Manager. The inspection diagnosis revealed engine failure due to antifreeze intrusion into the cylinders requiring an engine replacement with cost of $10,875.00. The extended warranty company denied the repair claim due to the faulty design of the engine block by Ford. Although Ford had a Customer Satisfaction Program in place for the repair of this specific issue (21N12) which provided financial compensation for those affected by the antifreeze intrusion issue resulting in engine failure, this program ended on November 30, 2022. This left us no option but to replace the engine on a vehicle we purchased only a few months before.

Coolant leaking into cylinder confirmed by independent mechanic. Unable to clear code P0303. This is a documented problem with this make model with eco-boost engines but Ford claims my car is not included in recall although i do have the eco-boost and make model and year. Need complete engine replace. This is a major engine design problem

Ford has known of a coolant intrusion problem and even issued an extended 7 yr/84k mile warranty for this issue. The car has no issues during that time. I now have to replace the engine on a 9 year old car with only 80k miles on it. Cars engines should last more than 9 years. Ford told me that an engine replacement at 9 years could happen to anyone. There are hundred of complaints online about this known issue. If the engine were to go out on a busy road, it could easily cause an accident.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the coolant level was low. The check engine warning light and the oil warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to start. The contact check the vanity lights but there was no power inside the vehicle. The vehicle was without electrical power for approximately 30 minutes before power returned to vehicle. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle because the potential failure reoccurring. The dealer was notified of the failure; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,000.

I am reporting a serious engine failure involving a 2017 Ford Escape SE AWD 2.0L EcoBoost, VIN [XXX]. The vehicle was purchased in October 2024 as a Ford Blue Advantage Certified vehicle from Lithia Ford of Boise with approximately 32,000 miles. The vehicle currently has approximately 45,000 miles. In June 2026, the vehicle developed a check engine warning light while being driven in [XXX]. Prior to this event, the vehicle had shown no unusual symptoms, warning signs, or performance issues. The vehicle was inspected by an independent automotive repair facility, Meridian Automotive in [XXX], and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion requiring replacement of the long block engine assembly. The estimated repair cost is approximately $9,000–$10,000. This is a major engine failure occurring at only 45,000 miles and after approximately 13,000 miles of ownership since purchase. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Intermittent Misfire of cylinder 1, service engine light is on, coolant level goes low very fast and needs to be added often. white smoke from exhaust.

2017 Ford Escape SE. 77,000 miles. Blown head gasket due to coolant leak that ford was aware of in letter TSV19-2139 but no recall. Cylinder 2 misfire code even after tune up. Today catastrophic overheating with no warning and car went into limp mode at the intersection of Hull Street and Southshore Dr. Midlothian Va 23112. I reached out to local ford dealer and to Ford Consumer affairs but they are unwilling to repair though there was a a courtesy notice posted that the repair would be free if less than 7 years or under 84,000 miles which my vehicle is. I have joined a class action law suit regarding Fords knowledge of the problem in 2019 and their lack of a preventive recall.

The vehicle experienced an internal engine failure involving the engine block/long block. The engine had a multi-cylinder misfire, and an independent repair facility inspected the vehicle and found coolant traces in multiple cylinders. The repair facility referenced Ford TSB 22-2133 and recommended replacement of the engine long block to correct the issue. The failed engine is not currently available for inspection because the vehicle was traded in after the repair estimate determined it was not economically feasible to repair. We suffered a big loss The safety concern was the potential for sudden loss of engine power due to the misfire and internal engine failure. A vehicle experiencing severe misfires while driving could have reduced performance, hesitation, or loss of power, creating a safety risk depending on driving conditions. The problem was confirmed by an independent service center. The vehicle was not inspected by Ford, police, or insurance representatives. Prior to failure, the vehicle developed engine symptoms consistent with a misfire. The check engine light/engine misfire condition occurred before diagnosis. The independent service facility confirmed the condition and found coolant traces in multiple cylinders.

The vehicle’s engine malfunctioned while driving. The check-engine light illuminated, the vehicle began running rough when starting, and the engine shut off approximately three times while being driven. An authorized Ford dealer inspected the vehicle and confirmed "Diagnostic code: P0303. Dealer diagnosis: Coolant intrusion into cylinder #3 Dealer cited TSB 22-2322". The unexpected engine shutdown and loss of power while driving created a safety risk because the driver lost the ability to maintain speed and safely maneuver in traffic. The vehicle currently has approximately 78,419 miles. The engine and vehicle are available for inspection upon request. Ford was contacted for goodwill assistance, but assistance was denied under Ford policy.