Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH the contact struck another vehicle in the middle of the passenger side, causing front-end damages to the contact's vehicle and the passenger side of the other vehicle. No air bags deploy. The seat belt retracted against the contact's chest causing the pacemaker in the contact's chest to be pushed back, and the contact glasses broke during the impact. The contact sought medical attention to make sure the pacemaker was not damaged; the other driver was not injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the passenger's side front end of the vehicle hit a cow and was significantly damaged. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated after the crash. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained neck and back pain, and bruises on the chest from the seat belt. The contact received medical assistance. The vehicle was towed to an autobody repair shop. A police report was filed but the contact did not have the police report information available. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
I was in an accident 12/24/2021due to other parties at fault, and my air bags did not deploy. The diagnostic with the collision Calliber (78216 zip code) reflected there was a faulty air bag and should have deployed . I suffered neck and back injuries. Half a year later my entire AC compressor needed to be replaced a month later my Entire engine needs to be replaced (8700 price). I've only had this car over a year and work remotely. I have under 50k miles on this car and have had so many dangerous And unfortunate high cost issues. The
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. While the contact's spouse was driving 70 MPH, the front driver side tire blew out and the vehicle crashed into a guardrail. The contact was unsure of what warning indicators were illuminated. The contact stated that the front driver and passenger side air bags deployed and the seat belts engaged; however, the rear passenger side seat belt failed to engage. The driver sustained a fractured sternum and contusion, the front passenger sustained bruised ribs and a scraped elbow, and the rear passenger sustained a fractured sternum and collar bone, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed, but was not diagnosed for the seat belt failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,296.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that another vehicle pulled right in front of the contact's vehicle. The collision occurred on the front passenger side of the vehicle. None of the air bags deployed even though there was a pop sound. The vehicle speed was 50 MPH and there were no injuries. A police report was filed. Both vehicle's were towed away. The damage was severe to the front part of the vehicle. The contact think's the engine was severely damaged. The vehicle wreckage was towed back to the contact's house and the insurance company had not yet determined if it would be declared totaled. The dealer or manufacturer had not yet been contacted. The failure mileage was 81,000. The VIN was not available.
My son was involved in a serious accident. He hit a stone wall approximately five foot tall at 30-40mph. The only air bag that went off was the steering wheel. His vehicle hit the wall in the same approximate spot that the insurance institute for highway safety test (cent1622) hit the test wall. In their test the side air bag curtains went off. In my sons accident per the videos, related speed and location of impact. The air bag curtains should have gone off which would have saved him from a lifetime disability. Because of the limited space I can not load more pictures or videos of the test vehicles. This is one link to a test crash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz_rhejn3us
Tl* the contact owned a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration causing the vehicle to crash into a parking pole. As a result, the pole detached, moved 11 millimeters and fell on top of another vehicle that was parked. During the incident the air bag did not deploy. No injuries were reported. No police report was taken. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 36,000.
Vehicle was involved in three vehicle crash November 20, 2017. Vehicle was traveling through an intersection on a green light and was impacted on the side by another vehicle and rotated/rolled into a third vehicle. No airbags deployed during this incident. Vehicle had over $28K worth do damage including significant frame and structural damage. Occupants of the vehicle stuffed extreme bruising, a concussion and loss of skin from impacting inside sides of vehicle.
I was struck on the drivers side front tire/bumper area by a car est at 30mph while I was going less than 10mph. Air bags did not deploy anywhere on my vehicle and my car is totaled. Brand new engine put in approx 1000miles ago and wondering if sensors got thrown off? Tow driver, police and tow lot couldn't believe no airbag deployment as I was shocked as well.
Airbag complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2017 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the air bags of the 2017 Ford Escape, 1% of the model year's 2,700 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2017 Ford Escape airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2017 Ford Escape, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2017 Ford Escape airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 17 crashes, 1 fire and 26 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.