Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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 owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle, she became aware that the taillights were retaining water. As a result, the taillight brake lamps failed to function properly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that water had caused severe damage, preventing the bulb from being replaced, and advised that the vehicle be taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the adhesive allowing the lens to separate from the housing. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 72,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle during a rainstorm, the contact observed water pooling inside the taillight assembly. The contact then became aware that the taillights were not functioning as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the taillight assembly water seal allowing water to leak into the assembly and short-circuiting the taillights. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 23,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the driver's side brake light accumulated approximately 4 inches of water causing the light to fail to illuminate as needed. The passenger's side brake light accumulated approximately 1 inch of water but was still able to illuminate as needed. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the lighting assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was contacted; however, the contact was unable to reach a representative. The failure mileage was 115,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the rear driver's side and rear passenger's side brake lights and taillights failed to illuminate. The contact discovered water and condensation inside the rear taillight assemblies. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact that the rear brake light and taillight assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 34,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH up an incline, the vehicle downshifted and stalled. The powertrain malfunction message was displayed. The headlamps had previously become inoperable. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle hesitated and was idling high while reversing. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the headlights and taillights were inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that water had entered the light assemblies. The headlight and taillight assemblies were not properly sealed. The bulbs were replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.
In 2020 my headlights just went out one day. All the fuses were good the bulbs were good and Ford replaced the BCM (Body Control Module). Luckily it was under the warranty because I only had approximately 28,000 miles. Fast forward to 2022 with approximately 49,000 miles, I was driving home late one night and the same issue happened while I was driving. Since the replacement in 2020 I have had to replace both headlights 3 times, this time replacing the headlights is not working and apparently, I will have to replace the BCM again. This apparently is the main computer system in the car, and it was very dangerous because the lights just went out at night. Upon further research several people are having the same issue; and have reported the problem on several webpages. …
While driving vehicle at night on [redacted] to Richmond, VA my headlights both stopped working completely. The only way I could see was by turning on my high beam headlights. The high beam headlights worked fine. There was no warning lights, no sounds, the interior lights and everything interior was working normal. It was just the low beam headlights both at the exact same time. The running day lights work. The bulbs were fine the fuses were in perfect condition it just stopped working. This was a SERIOUS and dangerous incident that occurred on a major highway while driving at night suddenly and without warning. Had my high beams not worked I could have been in serious accident trying to drive or get off the highway to get a tow. In addition, all turn signals and break lights work perfectly. …
It is only the low beams, but every couple months, the passenger side goes out. Then within 3 weeks to 2 months later the driver's side goes out. This has been happening since a month after I bought the car in 2021. This does not matter if they are changed individually when one of them goes out or if they are both changed at the same time. Occasionally, they will both just go out at the same time. This is extremely unsafe when driving down the road. I have had the car looked at by different mechanics different times when this issue was happens. It can happen when I turn the car on and it's just been running a few minutes or while i'm doing city, highway and interstate driving. Today is the most recent time it happened my passenger side just went out again. The passenger and drivers side light bulbs (low beans) were last changed just after Thanksgiving. …
The body control module failed on a main road at night. My inside lights and dash lights emergency flasher along with the outside lights shut off. The car behind me had to swerve around me to keep from hitting me. My vehicle was not seen by the other drivers and was almost hit several times. Luckily I coasted to a light and made a sweeping turn onto a wider shoulder area of the road. It was towed to a shop but they were not able to do anything with the vehicle do I had it towed to a Ford dealership. It was almost 30 days before I got my vehicle back. Apparently there is a shortage of body control modules. I received no warning lights at all. Everything inside the vehicle flashed and then the car and electrical just shut off. Prior to that incident I had not had any other issues with the vehicle. …
Headlight complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2017 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the lights of the 2017 Ford Escape, 1% of the model year's 2,700 complaints. The component named most often is tail lights (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Ford Escape headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
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.