2017 Ford Escape · symptom sheet
Loses power when accelerating
- 48owner reports
- 75,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jun 12, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
2320 of the 2,689 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 48 of those describe loses power accelerating.
Tick what matches of 48 reports
Loses power accelerating on other Escape years
No other Escape model year has enough reports of loses power accelerating for a sheet of its own. See every Escape year.
What this problem usually is
This group is about the moment you press the pedal and the car doesn't respond. Owners describe no acceleration when merging or climbing a hill, a sudden reduced-power or limp mode, and the check engine light coming on with it. A number say it happened more than once before anyone found a cause, and some mention a throttle body replacement.
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain 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 transmission and drivetrain 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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 59,784 and 109,000 miles, from the 40 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Vehicles equipped with the base 6 speed select-shift transmission may sometimes fail to accelerate when merging or going up-hill. This issue created a hazardous situation for my family when a car came into our lane and the escape wouldn't accelerate to avoid collision. Luckily the driver of the oncoming car just missed us.”
Filed Jun 20, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 48 reports involved a crash. 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
- 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
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 49 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