2017 Ford Escape · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 295owner reports
- 77,000median miles
- $8,000median quote
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Sep 27, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
2320 of the 2,689 complaints on this car are about the engine. 295 of those describe stalling.
Tick what matches of 295 reports
Stalling 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: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (29 reports), the ignition coil or plugs (28 reports), the battery (9 reports) and the fuel pump (7 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the engine cover the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
All 4 recalls on the 2017 Ford Escape, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Escape
Underhood fires caused by fuel leak. Closed oct 30, 2025, led to recall 25V-467.
Healey brothers ford / open recall sale. Open.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 27, 2024.
Electronic throttle body malfunction. Closed feb 28, 2014.
Electronic throttle body malfunction. Closed feb 21, 2013.
Engine stalling. Closed aug 31, 2004.
Engine stalling. Closed apr 15, 2004, led to recall 04V-165.
Engine stalling. Closed sep 10, 2002.
None of these investigations covers the 2017 model year.
What owners paid
39 of the 295 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $5,120 to $10,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 49,000 and 104,000 miles, from the 192 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 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 2016-2018 Escape/Focus/Transit Connect vehicles equipped with a remote start system may exhibit an immediate engine shut off with or without diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P1594 stored in the BCM after using the remote start function to start the engine.
Some 2017-2018 Escape/Focus/Transit Connect vehicles equipped with remote start may exhibit the engine shut off after using the remote start function to start the vehicle with DTC P1594 stored in the BCM.
SOME 2016-2017 ESCAPE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO BUILT ON OR BEFORE 8/21/2106 MAY EXHIBIT AN INTERMITTENT CONCERN WHERE THE AUDIO CUTS OUT AND THE RADIO DISPLAYS A NO SIGNAL MESSAGE WHILE DRIVING IN OPEN SKY CONDITIONS IN CERTAIN LOCATIONS ...
What owners wrote
“There is a known issue with coolant intrusion into the engine with this vehicle. The vehicle has less than 40,000 miles. The engine stalled three times over a two mile trip and completely shut off during a left hand turn with oncoming traffic putting my family and other drivers in danger.”
Filed Apr 23, 2026 · 40,000 miles
“Stalled at Traffic lights when stopped and finally told engine coolant leak at 89K miles.”
Filed Dec 22, 2025 · 89,000 miles
“05/03/2025 - My Escape has the 1.5L 4-cylinder engine failed at 118763 miles. Local Ford Dealership installed new Short Block. 09/11/2025 - Engine failed at 122742. Local Ford Dealership installed new Short Block.”
Filed Dec 17, 2025 · 118,763 miles
“My engine died at 63,000 miles. I'm thinking it's a coolant leak issue that I've read about online. I am severely disappointed.”
Filed Jul 30, 2025 · 63,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 295 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
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
- 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
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 49 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