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).
My 2017 Ford escape 1.5L ecoboost. Had the brake booster completely fail while driving down the highway on Oct. 27th. I took it the next day to the Ford Service center in my area. They informed me it was the Brake booster and would cost around $1100. They called me two days later and told me instead it was the vacuum pump, and that it was be cheaper to fix. They said it would be done that following Monday. On Monday I got a phone call asking me when the last time I changed/checked my oil. I told them it was changed on Aug 7th. It was checked (with video evidence) on October 19th. They told me they were "test driving my vehicle and heard a loud pop, followed by my car turning off." They informed me that there was very little oil in my pan and that my car had thrown a rod. I explain that my oil level was fine, and that my car had no indication of needing oil. …
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.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the transmission downshifted and upshifted intermittently, and the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to slow down and exiting the highway, the brake pedal was depressed however, the brake pedal was extremely stiff. The vehicle was shifted to neutral(N) for the vehicle to slow down. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a handheld diagnostic machine retrieved information that the cam shaft sensor was not working properly, and the engine needed to be replaced. Additionally, the brake booster was defective and failed to build up pressure as needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to slow the vehicle, the contact had to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard before the brakes functioned properly. The contact stated that an alarm activated while driving, prompting her to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the rear brake rotors. The contact was informed that the key fob needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the ABS sensor lights was illuminated. Additionally, the engine block was previously replaced and there were unknown failures with the windshield wipers and windows operating previously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the undercarriage of the vehicle was in a flood and was rusted. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the brakes engaged unintendedly, and the vehicle came to an immediate stop. There was no warning light illuminated. The engine did not turn off, and the contact stated that there was no traffic nearby during the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,601.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake warning light was persistently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the brake booster and brake master cylinder assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 14,643.
When approaching a red light on 8/12/22 in dry conditions, my son attempted to push brake part way down to slow on approach. Nothing happened. Pushed brake all the way to floor and vehicle barely slowed. Brakes had been serviced in May 2022. Vehicle had 36,094 miles. Note: accident report not under owner's name as I was not the driver.
The car experienced a sudden loss of boost power and, at the same time, and MUCH more concerning and dangerous, a total loss of brake power assist. The brakes were firm (hard), but had ZERO power assist, and I could barely stop the car at idle in my driveway, much less on a highway or open road. I thank God that my son, who was driving at the time, was not in a dangerous situation when this failure occurred. It turns out, a single vacuum pump, mated directly to the camshaft, applies vacuum boost to the turbo (power loss) and brakes (catastrophic brake failure). I replaced the vacuum pump, but the problem persisted, so I had to take it in to the dealership for evaluation. I was told the problem is the bolt that mates the vacuum pump to the cam shears off when the vacuum pump seizes. …
I had recently brought an SUV that came with no manuals for that vehicle. Which is important and crucial, but the scariest part and a life-threatening way. It came with no brake fluid at all. I was shocked, and you put my life and my son in danger. I will file a complain with Federal Trade Commission (FTC), State's Attorney General's Office, State's Department Of Commerce , Better Business Bureau (BBB) and The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for car safety issues and manufacturer recalls. It can be dangerous, and your brakes may not work properly. The fluid operates under high temperatures and high pressure, and without it, your car would not be able to stop when you push the brake pedal inside your vehicle. It will simply go to the floor without stopping, which will have catastrophic consequences. Thank you, Falvey's. …
Brake complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2017 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the brakes of the 2017 Ford Escape, 2% of the model year's 2,700 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2017 Ford Escape brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 17,000 miles, and 68% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to brakes 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.