2017 Ford Escape · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 49owner reports
- 22,500median miles
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Aug 25, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
49 of the 2,689 complaints on this car describe brake wear.
Tick what matches of 49 reports
Brake wear on other Escape years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2016, 2019, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the pads and rotors (7 reports), the booster (6 reports) and the ABS module (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the brakes covers the 2017 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Escape
Engine compartment fire. Closed feb 29, 2012, led to recall 12V-005.
Engine compartment fire. Closed jan 15, 2010.
Engine compartment fire. Closed apr 15, 2009.
Engine compartment fire. Closed apr 17, 2007, led to recall 07V-156.
None of these investigations covers the 2017 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 12,000 and 47,475 miles, from the 35 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 6 service bulletins or notices for the 2017 Ford Escape that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00.
Some 2013-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00.
SOME 2016-2017 ESCAPE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 1.6L/1.5L AWD OR A 2.0L FWD/AWD BUILT ON OR BEFORE 19-NOV-2016 MAY EXHIBIT FRONT BRAKE SQUEAL WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES.
SOME 2017 ESCAPE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 17 INCH WHEELS BUILT ON OR BEFORE 10-OCTOBER-2016 MAY EXHIBIT AN ILLUMINATED ELECTRIC PARK BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) C1034, C1A43, C2005, C2007, C2008 AND/OR U2002.
2 more on the 2017 Ford Escape page.
What owners wrote
“ABS light and traction light is on then hill assist information comes on then the 4 wheel drive disabled comes on then for minutes later comes back on and says abled. Itâs been going on for sometime now but now when I am driving it seems like it just shuts off and then starts again and at times it goes very quick. It is very dangerous. I only have 45000 miles on it.”
Filed Sep 18, 2025 · 45,000 miles
“This began may of 2023. I had a 2017 ford escape and at 50,000 it had to get a whole new transmission. I have also purchased a new engine for this escape that has the same issues.”
Filed Jun 17, 2025
“Emergency brake sets itself. Car won't start. Takes many attempts to get brake to release and be able to drive car.”
Filed Sep 17, 2023
“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.”
Filed Aug 31, 2022 · 36,094 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 49 reports involved a crash and 4 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 1562 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 1332 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 623 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 295 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 92 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 88 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 82 reports
- Turbo failure or loss of boost 56 reports
- Loses power when accelerating 48 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 44 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 38 reports
- Auto start-stop will not restart the engine 30 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 27 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 27 reports