Makes›Ford›Escape›2017

2017 Ford Escape

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 models.

Ford Escape
Pictured: 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid SEL AWD in Oxford White, front left. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD, 4dr SUV FWD
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl
Horsepower
170–240 hp
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Seats
5
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, FFV
MPG (best)
26 combined · 23 city / 30 hwy
Length
178.7 in
Curb weight
3,552–3,677 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Strong performanceUp to 240 hp, versus about 190 hp for similar 2017 models.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints2,702 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 321 for similar models — most often about the engine.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2017 Ford Escape is a small SUV offered with 3 engines (1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 4-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 179 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,677 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (23 city / 30 highway), 7% better than the 2017 small SUV average of 24.3 MPG, for an estimated $2,600 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 2702 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2017

  • Engine added: 1.5L 4-cyl turbo
  • Engine dropped: 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
  • Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall

Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 Escape →

Trims, performance & features

Engine170 hp1.5L turbo 4-cyl
Engine240 hp2.0L 4-cyl
DriveAWD/4WD
Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

SETitanium

Safety & driver-assist features

Forward collision warningOptional
Blind-spot monitoringOptional
Lane departure warningOptional
Lane keeping assistOptional
Adaptive cruise controlOptional
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Adaptive driving beamOptional
Keyless startSome trims

Built in: Louisville, Kentucky

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2017 Escape configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD178.7 in72.4 in66.1 in105.9 in61.4 / 62.2 in3,677 lb58/42
4dr SUV FWD178.7 in72.4 in66.1 in105.9 in61.4 / 62.2 in3,552 lb58/42

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Escape FWD1.5L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive23 / 30 / 26+7%$2,600342
Escape FWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive22 / 29 / 25+3%$2,700357
Escape FWD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive21 / 29 / 24-1%$2,800369
Escape FWD FFV FFV2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive21 / 29 / 24-1%$2,800369
Escape AWD1.5L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive22 / 28 / 24+5%$2,800370
Escape AWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23+1%$2,900386
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $1,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
24.3 MPG2017 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2017 Ford Escape SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★19.1%
2017 Ford Escape SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★18.5%
StandardElectronic stability control
OptionalForward collision warning
OptionalLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2017 Ford Escape SUV FWD
Frontal crash test — 2017 Ford Escape SUV FWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2017 Ford Escape SUV FWD
Side crash test — 2017 Ford Escape SUV FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2017 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2017 Ford Escape (this car)26 MPG★★★★★4
2017 Toyota RAV432 MPGNot rated3
2017 Honda CR-V30 MPG★★★★★7
2017 Hyundai Tucson28 MPG★★★★★3
2017 Subaru Forester28 MPGNot rated1
2017 Mazda CX-527 MPGNot rated1
2017 Volkswagen Tiguan22 MPGNot rated4

Recalls (4)

Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls · Jun 9, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V374000 · 18,124 vehicles

Problem
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
A closing window that does not reverse direction as expected can pinch a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
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.
Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater · Jan 15, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V011000 · 116,672 vehicles

Problem
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
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
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.
Power Train › Shift Linkage/Cable/Rod · Jun 10, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V413000 · 2,925,968 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk
A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix
Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Electrical System › Software · Aug 24, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V617000 · 17,985 vehicles

Problem
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
If a window closes on a body part, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2017 Ford Escape is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

2,702Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
39Involved a crash
15Involved a fire
56Injuries reported
40,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine1,583
Engine And Engine Cooling490
Power Train374
Unknown Or Other153
Electrical System148
Fuel/Propulsion System72
Wheels54
Structure › Body53
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/11: 6624/12: 5425/01: 5825/02: 4125/03: 5225/04: 5925/05: 6825/06: 6725/07: 9525/08: 6825/09: 4525/10: 4225/11: 1825/12: 3226/01: 2326/02: 2326/03: 2226/04: 3526/05: 2726/06: 3926/07: 3926/08: 2326/09: 2126/10: 1324/1125/0225/0525/0825/1126/0226/0526/08max 95

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2017 Ford Escape buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 1,583 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Engine And Engine Cooling — 490 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Power Train — 374 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 40,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2017 Ford Escape. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Escape years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Escape40180.7 inNot rated34
2025 Escape40180.7 inNot rated1031
2024 Escape39180.7 in★★★★★1088
2023 Escape40180.7 in★★★★★13138
2022 Escape41180.7 in★★★★★21386
2021 Escape41180.7 in★★★★★21498
2020 Escape41180.7 in★★★★★251,908
2019 Escape26178.7 in★★★★★3597
2018 Escape26178.7 in★★★★★41,822
2016 Escape26178.7 inNot rated41,170
2015 Escape26178.7 inNot rated91,131
2014 Escape26178.7 inNot rated162,023

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →