2017 Ford Escape lighting problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 4, 2026KSLighting

   Purchased as a pair of aftermarket replacement headlight assemblies for a 2017 Ford Escape. Both left and right assemblies developed internal plastic melting around the projector area after several months of normal use. Seller states the assemblies are limited to a 60W 9005 bulb, but no such wattage limitation or overheating warning was disclosed on the Amazon product listing. The seller also appears to list the bulb positions incorrectly. I am reporting this because both…

   NHTSA complaint #11768798 · source
2. Filed May 9, 2026MALighting

   All 4 tail lights are filled with water, therefore they stopped working due to corrosion. I had to replace all 4 or I couldn't get my car to pass inspection. No warnings or anything telling me my brake lights have failed. This is a huge problem in the 2017 Ford Escape SE!

   NHTSA complaint #11736745 · source
3. Filed Jan 10, 2026MNLighting

   It is only the low beams, but every couple months, the passenger side goes out. Then within 3 weeks to 2 months later the driver's side goes out. This has been happening since a month after I bought the car in 2021. This does not matter if they are changed individually when one of them goes out or if they are both changed at the same time. Occasionally, they will both just go out at the same time. This is extremely unsafe when driving down the road. I have had the car looked…

   NHTSA complaint #11710150 · source
4. Filed Dec 31, 2025VALighting

   While driving vehicle at night on [XXX] to Richmond, VA my headlights both stopped working completely. The only way I could see was by turning on my high beam headlights. The high beam headlights worked fine. There was no warning lights, no sounds, the interior lights and everything interior was working normal. It was just the low beam headlights both at the exact same time. The running day lights work. The bulbs were fine the fuses were in perfect condition it just stopped…

   NHTSA complaint #11708079 · source
5. Filed Sep 12, 2025AKLighting

   Water intrusion severe in both taillight assemblies with normal rain. Safety issue due to water dimming or completely blocking out the bottom light Car has less than 40k miles.

   NHTSA complaint #11686783 · source
6. Filed Jul 21, 2025OHLighting

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the driver's and passenger's side taillight housings were filled with water. The contact stated that when the trunk was opened, some of the water in the driver's side taillight housing drained out onto the ground. The contact stated that because of the failure, the taillights and the hatch failed to function as intended. The vehicle was taken to the…

   NHTSA complaint #11675054 · source
7. Filed Jan 31, 2025WALighting

   Prior to May 2022, both of the quarter panel mounted tail light assemblies on my 2017 Ford Escape SE started taking in water due the seals on the tail lights failing. Soon after those started failing the same thing began happening to the tail light assemblies on the hatch. I have replaced all 4 tail lights with OEM parts sourced from a salvage yard. All parts sourced from the salvage yard had a perfect conditions rating per the salvage yard. Fast forward to November 2024 and…

   NHTSA complaint #11639844 · source
8. Filed Jan 28, 2025CTLighting

   Both low beam head lights stop working while driving. This is the third time in 18 months this has happened. The temporary fix has been to replace an electrical harness that has been burnt from heat. I understand a safety recall has been issued for other Ford Escapes with this condition.

   NHTSA complaint #11639003 · source
9. Filed Jan 12, 2025INLighting

   Failure of defective and dangerous head and tail lights - total of six. Luckily, I identified the problem before a serious accident. This was previously reported without details or supporting documentation under NHTSA Complaint 11600823 by a family member. The uploaded documents show the actions of the dealership (Art Hill Ford) and Ford Motor Company.

   NHTSA complaint #11635544 · source
10. Filed Dec 16, 2024MOLighting

    Vehicle burns out low beam headlights at a rapid rate. I’ve been the only owner of this car, and have replace the headlights 8 times in 168k miles. I do not drive abundantly at night, primarily during the day. In the span of the past two weeks I have replaced the headlights twice. I have come to a point that I keep spare headlights in the glove box for when they will go out again. Researching the issue online lead me to many forms of drivers with the same vehicle going…

    NHTSA complaint #11630851 · source
11. Filed Oct 23, 202434,000 miMDLighting

    The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the rear driver’s side and rear passenger’s side brake lights and taillights failed to illuminate. The contact discovered water and condensation inside the rear taillight assemblies. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact that the rear brake light and taillight assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local…

    NHTSA complaint #11621545 · source
12. Filed Oct 7, 2024CALighting

    My family has 2 Ford SUVs. A 2017 ford escape and a 2018 Ford Flex. The 2017 Ford Escape started having an issue a couple years ago regarding moisture/water seeping into the tail lights/brake lights panels. Our cars have never had rear damage or hit anything that would cause them to be susceptible to water leaking in. It has to be something that happened over time. When you lift up the trunk gate, if you push the trunk up high enough, you can get most of the water to come…

    NHTSA complaint #11618599 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology