2017 FORD ESCAPE Complaints

After 95000 miles engine service light came on, dealer service team says it is being caused by coolant intrusion into cylinder 1, The repair is to replace the engine block at a cost of approx. $10,000. The is a lot of information available the indicates the issue is related to a well documented design flaw in the open-deck block design used in the 2017 engine making it prone to stress fractures, erosion or cracking under the high pressure of turbocharging.

8/17/25 - Check engine light. Codes for Cylinder Misfire 1,2 and 3. Very very low coolant. 8/19/25 - The mechanic where we bought the car said that they checked plugs, did a compression test, everything came back fine and looks fine. Cleared the codes, drove it around, left it running, no light back on as of yet. Said the low coolant may have triggered the codes. - Coolant Filled back up Jan 31 2026 Car over heated and went into limp mode. No coolant when I looked before the tow truck came.. Had it towed to where we bought the car from. The mechanic said they couldn't find anything wrong and did the oil change and added coolant. Place we got car from: “Doesn’t know why it keeps losing coolant. They checked everything” To keep filling it up. March 23rd. Misfire codes again and evap leak code and coolant ½ empty -Filled back up. Place we bought car from “Changed plugs - Compression test done again.” March 23rd Compression test from where be bought the car: They said it’s fine compression May 2026: Coolant low, See photo: Filled it up to max line. I brought it to a friend to have him look at the cylinders. These were the spark plugs and cylinder pictures Plug on right was Cylender 4. My friend says it doesn't look like the place we bought the car from even changed the spark plugs. Cylinder photos are of Cylinder 4 Low coolant, Filled it back up. July 5 2026 : Check engine light. Code below - Bringing to ford 7/7

Well known issue with this 2017 Ford Escape with faulty coolant system leaking into engine cylinders causing internal engine failure. This was the formal diagnosis by a qualified repair shop on or about May 26, 2026.

Misfire cylinders, did extensive work to the car. Replaced spark plugs, fuel pump, thermostat, etc. coolant in cylinder walls. Evidence internal engine failure. Cracked block

On June 4, 2026 I got into my 2017 Escape to head out for the day. Upon startup my car began to buck/idle roughly. Then my check engine light came on. I brought it in to be checked and was told that I had a cylinder 3 misfire. All coils and spark plugs were replaced at that time. The rough idling returned 2 days later and when checked the mechanic informed me that it may be a coolant intrusion. He kept it over night and sure enough he found a coolant Intrusion in cylinder 3. Per Ford, replacement of engine is necessary. Of course I was shocked to read that this has been a major known issue that Ford is aware of and not correcting. I read online that “while not officially recalled, many 1.5L and 2.OL EcoBoost engines in this model year are known for a design flaw that allows coolant to leak into the cylinders. This often results in rough idling, white exhaust smoke, or total engine failure. If you experience these symptoms, contact your local dealership or an independent mechanic, as it may be covered under a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB).” The TSB # I was given is 22-2229. The Ford dealership is now wanting me to pay over $11,000 for a new engine on a 9 year old car. I only have 50,000 miles on it and take amazing care of my Escape. It looks brand new still. I think it is absolutely absurd that Ford has not recalled all 2017 Escapes to fix this manufacture defect! They are leaving consumers to pay completely out of pocket and it has made me never want to buy a Ford product again!

My vehicle was towed back to the dealership to have the transmission replaced, under warranty. After confirming the failure and warranty, I was informed, by emailed service order, that the airbag light was illuminated.it also listed the cost to diagnose the light and that I declined this "recommended service". What I said was that I absolutely wanted it diagnosed and addressed. What I declined were the charges they were quoting as the light came on while they had my vehicle-to replace my previously replaced transmission, 100% under warranty. I finally got the dealership to email me a printout/workorder so I could see what repairs have been completed. Re:Airbag light: says I stated the light was on, the tech got it to come on, that I declined a time of original transmission diagnostic; light is off now, they’re unable to replicate, listed as "intermittent airbag fault”, may come back on and would require additional diagnostic fee and repair cost.

COMPONENT: Engine / Cooling System DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM: My 2017 Ford Escape (1.5L GTDI EcoBoost engine, 83,891 miles) has been diagnosed by a Ford-authorized dealer (Apple Ford White Bear Lake, RO# 157692) with coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders. The dealer reports white/blue exhaust smoke on cold starts that dissipates after 10-20 seconds, and has recommended full short block replacement at an estimated cost of approximately $10,000. This is the exact condition addressed by Ford's own Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 (Certain 2017-2019 Model Year Fusion and Escape Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L GTDI Engine, Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion), issued June 9, 2022. That program acknowledges the 1.5L EcoBoost engine in this vehicle range may exhibit coolant intrusion into cylinder bores, low coolant levels, white exhaust smoke, and rough running, potentially leading to engine damage. When I contacted Ford's Customer Relationship Center, I was told my vehicle is outside the program's 7-year time window and was denied assistance, despite being under the program's 84,000-mile threshold. Coolant intrusion of this kind creates a risk of sudden engine roughness, misfire, and potential stalling, which is a safety concern, not just a mechanical inconvenience, particularly if it occurs at highway speed. I am filing this complaint because this is a known, documented defect that Ford has acknowledged in writing but is declining to remedy on my vehicle due to a time-based technicality, despite mileage well within the program's own stated safe range. VEHICLE: 2017 Ford Escape ENGINE: 1.5L GTDI (EcoBoost) MILEAGE AT FAILURE: 83,891 DEALER: Apple Ford White Bear Lake, White Bear Lake, MN RELATED FORD DOCUMENTATION: Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 / TSB 22-2134

My 2017 Ford Escape just alarmed me with a PO302 code and it happens to be coolant intrusion. It’s draining coolant levels.

The vehicle was misfiring, smoke emitting from the exhaust, overheating, and constantly running out of coolant. The service engine light first appeared roughly a year ago. A code scan revealed a cylinder misfire. I replaced the spark plug and timing coil and noticed the coolant was extremely low and refilled it. The service engine light recently reappeared and the misfires, smoke, vehicle shaking and revving started getting worse. I had the vehicle taken to the local ford dealership who confirmed that the engine suffers from a widely known defect of coolant intrusion into the cracked engine. They provided photos of the cracks in the cylinder and coolant leaking into it. Online I found an alarming amount of ford owners experiencing the same issue, some even reporting engine fires that burnt the entire car.

Transmission, AAMCO inspected and verified, no warnings just grinding noise and jerking of vehicle