2017 Ford Escape · symptom sheet

Windshield cracks or distorts

27owner reports
60,000median miles
0involved a crash

Newest report Jun 9, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

75 of the 2,670 complaints on this car are about the structure. 27 of those describe windshield.

Tick what matches of 27 reports

cracked with no impact

a crack spread from the edge

replaced more than once

insurance or I paid

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the windshield (27 reports).

Recalls and investigations

2 recalls on the structure cover the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

26V-374Jun 9, 2026

Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Escape vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 16V617. The power-operated windows may exert excessive force when encountering an object, before they automatically reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."

Risk and remedy

Risk: A closing window that does not reverse direction as expected can pinch a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the power window operating system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 22, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C29. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.

16V-617Aug 24, 2016

Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2017 Ford Escape Titanium and SE vehicles manufactured October 5, 2015, to May 12, 2016. The settings for the closing-force of the power-operated windows may allow the windows to close on an object such as a body part and injure it before the windows auto-reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."

Risk and remedy

Risk: If a window closes on a body part, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford has notified owners, and dealers will update the power window operating system software, free of charge. The recall began on September 6, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C12.

NHTSA investigations into the structure on the Escape

PE23-013opened Jul 7, 2023

Structure · model years 2020 to 2022

Failed door check arm attachment point. Closed jan 24, 2024.

NHTSA summary

On July 7, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-013 to investigate instances of check arm bracket failure in the front doors in model year (MY) 2020-2021 Ford Escape vehicles. At the time of opening, ODI received 118 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging this failure. To date, ODI has received 593 VOQs alleging this failure, with a variety of reported failure conditions. The most common reported failure condition was reduced door functionality (e.g. door was more difficult to open or close) and the least common was inadvertent door opening. Other reported failure conditions include inability to latch and inability to open. Three VOQs reported injuries, one of which requiring medical attention. ODI conducted a consumer survey which yielded an additional 44 injuries (although the VOQs did not indicate any injury), none of which requiring medical attention. All these injuries were bumps/bruises from the door closing on occupantsâ arms and legs while entering and exiting the vehicle. The function of the check arm system is to provide hold-open assist at specific angles and to assist with door closing energy. It does not provide vertical support of the door and is independent of the latching mechanism. This failure is progressive and detectable by vehicle occupants. Consumers commonly report hearing a popping or snapping noise when opening and closing the door. This noise is caused by some of the welds between the bracket and door structure failing

PE11-016opened Apr 27, 2011

Structure · model years 2010 to 2011

Rear liftgate window glass breakage. Closed aug 18, 2011.

NHTSA summary

In its response to the agency, Ford acknowledged a higher than normal level of glass breakage incidents in the model year (MY) 2010 to early-build MY 2011 subject vehicles.The incidentsoccurred when the liftgate glass was being opened, or more typically while being closed, but in both cases while the vehicle was stationery, i.e., not moving on the roadway.Additionally failures often occurred during early morning hours when ambient and/or liftgate glass temperatures may have been lower.Ford advised that it investigated the failures but failed to identify an anomaly in the glass manufacturing process (which is often a factor in glass breakage trends ODI investigates) that could explain the reports.It did however identify a potential thermal expansion/compression condition in the mounting of the rear wiper motor to the liftgate glass.Starting at MY 2008 vehicle production the motor was attached to the glass using an adhesive.Ford revised that design to a nut and bolt type attachment in October 2010, during MY 2011 vehicle production.ODI's review of Ford data indicates that vehicles built after this change exhibit lower glass breakage rates.Among the 296 consumer complaints on the subject vehicles, ODI identified 15 injury incidents resulting in a total of 18 alleged injuries.All the injuries were minor in nature and consisted mainly of superficial skin cuts or minor lacerations, with two of the injury incidents occurring when vehicle owners were cleaning up broken glass.Addition

None of these investigations covers the 2017 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 50,076 and 72,000 miles, from the 16 reports that gave a mileage.

117

118

219

520

421

122

323

324

525

226

What owners wrote

“The paint along the windshield columnS and rear tailgate are flaking off in large sections. This is causing premature rusting which is left to a consumer to absorb the cost of an entire paintjob, can lead to lack of action causing structural integrity issues.”
Filed Feb 2, 2026

“The seat stopped working. The ford almost gave out on me multiple times today. On the highway and twice on the road. Apparently this vehicle has been recalled plenty of times. It has something to do with bush wiring. The seat will not adjust or move forward and the windshield wipers donât work. It basically gave out and will not reverse.”
Filed Oct 22, 2025

“The windshield paint on both sides is chipping and may cause distraction or paint on windshield making it not possible to see. There was a recall for this---my VIN was not included on recall.”
Filed May 14, 2025

“White pearl paint is pealing from around the windshield. The bare metal of the frame is exposed. A local body shop reported the issue may be related to the windshield and could be a safety issue with the windshield getting loose. Other areas, such as the engine hood are also showing signs of pealing.”
Filed Sep 4, 2024

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 27 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.