2017 Ford Escape · symptom sheet
Battery dies or the car will not start
- 27owner reports
- 57,322median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Apr 15, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
154 of the 2,670 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 27 of those describe dead battery.
Tick what matches of 27 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (21 reports), the alternator (4 reports) and the module (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the electrical system covers the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 30,000 and 70,000 miles, from the 14 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“My vehicle started slowing down, check engine light came on, and then the vehicle went into limp mode. The vehicle won't go faster than 10-15 miles per hour. I had the accelerator and sensor replaced, but the vehicle won't start or move. My car is not running and hasn't run for over a year.”
Filed Feb 26, 2026
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 27 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Check engine light or misfire 1324 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 618 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 293 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 92 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 88 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 82 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 49 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 38 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 27 reports