Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The contact had experienced a failure while stopped at a traffic sign. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled forward at approximately 2 MPH and lightly crashed into a vehicle in front of him. There was no damage or injuries. The contact was aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train), however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced a failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while shifting the vehicle into park, the vehicle surged forward and went over an embankment without warning. The air bag deployed upon impact. The contact did not sustain any injuries and did not seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and they were unable to repair the vehicle, the vehicle was then towed back to his home. The contact then received a notification in the mail for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000(Power Train) which he linked to his failure. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 102,000.
The car has suffered from multiple problems since 2020, where each time I would take it to the shop to be assessed.. The transmission, the electrical, and I have suffered from mental illness due to me being afraid to drive in the car. There was no way to get it diagnosed for the specific recall. I have spent $15,547.50 in mostly the same repairs. I have bought a total of 13 tires. Had to get the front suspension fixed, the struts, rental cars, had to get new brakes and rotos 3 times, wheel bearing replacement, had to get a second key cut, and the car reprogrammed, car makes a loud noise and it was not able to be diagnosed, purge valve assembly, spark plugs changed 2 times, and of course regular oil changes every few months. My check engine light has never come on. I have gone to the ford service cener, grease monkey, valvoline, good year, jiffy lube, tune up clinic, c&p auto repair. …
I have had to have my engine and my transmission replaced within 2 months apart I keep writing and calling everyone I can I keep hearing the 1.0 l engines are blowing up too due to the wet belt and they're doing nothing with the 1.5 l engines due to the coolant issues I had no warning lights going off in my car and it blew the motor if it wouldn't have been for me going downhill I could have easily been killed. I need some reimbursement I have worked out over almost 20 grand between the transmission and engine for repairs and I owe people money I can't afford this anymore. Why can you not make Ford pay for these. All of these engines are bad and the 1.0's and the 1.5 leader engines. I have all the documentation from what I paid for both all I would like is for half back. It seems like nobody's doing anything about this you keep asking for the approximate date and I do not remember. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated intermittently. The contacted stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, but the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the front end and the rear end of the vehicle were shuddering. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the transmission was replaced; however, the front end of the vehicle continued to shudder while starting the vehicle. Additionally, the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that cylinder #2 was misfiring. The mechanic replaced the shock absorbers and spark plugs; however, the failure persisted. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with faulty spark plugs and failed ignition coils. The contact was informed that the four spark plugs and the four ignition coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, where the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed due to coolant intrusion and needed to be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently started shuddering. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road for a moment. The contact continued to drive the vehicle however, the failure recurred intermittently while driving that same day. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who advised the contact that he could not determine the cause of the failure as the OBD reader could not read the codes. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving and the vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who advised the contact that he could not duplicate the failure. The transmission was flushed. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after shifting to park(P), the vehicle inadvertently rolled backward. The contact stated that she used bricks to chock rear wheels to prevent the vehicle from rolling down the driveway. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power without warning. The contact stated that she was able to coast to the side of the roadway and the vehicle was shifted into park(P); however, the vehicle rolled backward. The contact stated that she had to depress the brake pedal to keep the vehicle from moving. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as a defective transmission that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle decelerated suddenly and stopped. A message indicating that the engine was turned on and the vehicle was in park(P) was displayed. The contact shifted into park(P) and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated upon restarting the vehicle and shifting into drive(D), the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the part was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle started to shake abnormally. Additionally, while shifting from fourth to fifth gear, there was a violent clunk coming from the transmission. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who test-drove the vehicle for an hour but was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, and the failure persisted. While the contact's wife was driving, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the cylinder head had fractured, and coolant was leaking into the engine. The dealer recommended that the engine and transmission be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Related recalls
Power train › Shift linkage/cable/rod
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022.
Transmission complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2017 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 391 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2017 Ford Escape, 14% of the model year's 2,700 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Ford Escape transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 22V-413 (shift linkage/cable/rod, Jun 10, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2017 Ford Escape transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 3 fires and 5 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.