Check that wiring grommets are seated and sealed with RTV above the hatch for the rear door.

 

I too purchased a 2017 Escape in June. With about 500 miles on it I also noticed 2 leaks in rear. In fuse location on the right and the Sub area on the left. The dealer serviced the suspected roof rails to no success. A few hundred miles later, found it again. Now a leak at the front left A pillar leaking out of dash at the OBD II port to the floor(windshield is suspect at this point) as well as the rear still.

It's now been in the body shop for almost 3 weeks. They cannot locate and repair the rear leak and are still discussing how to attempt a repair to the front which may certainly be one leak rolling around the body pillars and beams.

The interior is currently tore out to drop the headliner which is never gonna be the same. Not to mention that the windshield may be getting yanked next.

I have asked for a replacement or a buy back. 3 months(3 payments) in 1700 miles and almost a month out of service already. Not good.

Good luck with yours and share your results if the find the leak.

 

2017 escape SE roof rack and panoramic sunroof. We are seeing a water leak near the top of the A-piller, wet spot on roof liner above a-piller, leaking out the hood release below and pooling under carpet...not a happy camper at all....will be talking to the dealer only 800 kms on it....I shall keep you postyed on how this develops or resolved

 

Yet yet another 2017 FE water leak

So I had m'y FE for a few weeks now, less than a 1000km on it and just noticed, during a moderate rain storm, that my roof is leaking [emoji35]

The interior is damp near the passenger Pillar A
So it seems like it's coming from the roof rack

So I guess I'll be calling the dealer as soon as I have a chance...

This is disappointing to see this seems to be a common issue since the first FE and still happens to this day... [emoji58]


Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant Tapatalk Pro

 

Crap I had water on my cargo liner and assumed it came from a bag of ice I had that may have tipped over. Now I have to watch for this. I'd be pretty upset.

 

My 2014 Titanium water leak saga continues. It will have to go back again for at least the fifth time to deal with a driver's side a-pillar leak. After each repair it just seems to get worse, affecting a larger area each time - and occurring in even light rain now.

Been battling this for over a year. Now waiting to hear from the dealership - who is apparently working with Ford on it now.

Very frustrated. Hearing that the problem continues in the 2017 is very disappointing. You'd think the engineering would catch up.

 

bobj-

Have you heard anything from the dealership?

I have same issue as well as in the trunk, spare tire area.

 

I heard from the dealership last week - indicating they weren't making any progress getting to a resolution on the A-pillar leak through Ford. They want me to bring the vehicle back in AGAIN on 12/1 and it will go to the body shop again to take it all apart and try for a solution. I'm planning to let them know this is the last time I expect to bring it back with this problem. If it happens after this next repair, I have to look into more drastic remedies.

After seeing your post, I plan to check out the spare tire area too - just in case I've missed something!

Good luck to us all!

 

Yes - have the roof rack and that IS the source of the problem. They were initially concentrating on the windshield as the source, but after providing them with specific posts from this site, they were encouraged to look into the roof rack mounting more closely. So far, their attempts to seal the mounting area have only made things worse.

 

I am still under the 3yr/36mos warranty, so I have not been charged and they are providing me with a no cost loaner. My concern now is whether it continues to be a problem after the warranty expires - how will that be handled?

 

No roof rack ..... no waterleaks? Not so ......

My 2017 Escape has NO roof racks and NO moon roof. I was looking at the gutter seams at the rear of the roof. There were bits of "gum" stuck on the gutter seam area. I removed the two black roof mouldings that run from front to back, exposing the roof seam/gutter.

The "gum" was that Dum Dum crap that was used in the 19 sixties for a water leak quick fix. I removed the Dum Dum and sure enough there were gaps in the sealer! Some guy on the assembly line obviously saw these gaps and stuck that Dum Dum on. Dum Dum is only used by dummies for water leaks. After about a year or two , it dries up and falls off. There were six moulding clips that were exposed too. I took them off and 2 of them had cracking in the paint around the bolts holes. All the six bolts were sealed with that DumDum crap. I pealed off all the Dumdum and used Motorcraft High Performance Silicone to seal the bolts and gaps in the seams.


Ford can take up to 6 years to repair known issues as simple as this. Other good examples are the leaking high mount lamps that leak water(since 2013) and ruin the circuit board for the LED lamp. You can easily fix it by caulking the top edge. F150's have leaking high mount lamps, leaking slider windows and the pop rivet that holds the gutter moulding on. Ford is like a big ocean liner, that can a take along time to change direction.

 

Ford is like a big ocean liner, that can a take along time to change direction.

Sad, but seemingly true.

 

+1 Same problem with My 2014 Titanium Escape. A pillar on both driver side and passenger side leak. I dropped it off at an autobody shop and they suspected the roof rack. They sealed the area and it still leaked. They fixed it again and it held for a couple rain storms and then again this morning it leaked on the passenger. side only. I could easily go on a rant about Ford but I have already been there and done that so I will spare everyone that . I just hope Ford recalls this but since its not a safety issue I have a feeling that will not happen .

 

Holding my breath with fingers crossed

 

2017 Escape Roof Rack Leak

Brand new 2017 Ford Escape Titanium. Severe roof leak right under the rear passenger side roof rack mounting point. Inside rear hatch area water drips down into head liner(soaked head liner) and down the inside panels right over where the rear fuse box is. Under that area are large vent holes and the water drips from there down into a recessed area in the rear hatch floor. Completely soaked a large bath towel placed in the area, just from rain water. Have appointment Tuesday (8 Aug 17) to have problem fixed. Well, after my research, its obvious this is a common recurring problem Ford needs to officially address and create a recall & tech service bulletin. Found this video on you tube, 2013 Ford Escape Leaky Roof Rack Fix: HOW TO ESACPE. I guess the specific permatex sealant he uses works. I have used it to re-adhere rubber door seals before and it works great for that. Can't believe this is a problem. I have 5 cars (5 drivers) and the newest one, this one, has a crazy roof leak. I'm going to see If I really need to replace the head liner. The Ford dealership I'm taking my car to also has a full service body shop. Hoping they have the expertise to properly remove and replace the rear roof liner so it looks new again. Will update with the results but if they can't get it right the first time I'm fixing it myself. Although, I bought the warranty so it better get fixed. Frustrating. Also, the Titanium version is expensive and should have no quality issues likes this, sad really. More to come....

 

Also, the Titanium version is expensive and should have no quality issues likes this, sad really. More to come....

Nothing to do with the trim level.

 

Had the same problem with my 2017 SE. 2.5 weeks in the dealer shop to first locate and then fix the issue. Had Ford's engineers involved. Leak was coming thru the roof liner in right rear but the leak was actually coming thru the roof rack on left rear. They used so much sealant to fix it that the trim no longer fits properly. Dealer says there is nothing wrong with the trim.

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

 

2017 Titanium Water Leak

I purchased my Escape in September 2016 and by December with all of the rain had water leaking into the right rear cargo area - coming in through the fuse box area. Dealer had my Escape for almost 40 days trying to fix the leak (they were back logged with other leaks to fix). While fixing the initial leak I had found, the dealer found a second leak coming in from the right side roof rail area. The dealer believed they had fixed both leaks and returned the vehicle - all under warranty. The dealer had to order a new headliner that took 8 weeks to get. After 5 more days in the shop to install a new head liner I got my Escape back. Now in August, I now have a leak coming in on the headliner near the front right "A" pillar causing staining to the headliner. Now back to the dealer. How long will they have it this time? :crying: Anyone else having similar issues and did your dealer/bodyshop fix the problem? Has anyone been able to have success in having Ford buy your Escape back under the Lemon Law?

 

I purchased my Escape in September 2016 and by December with all of the rain had water leaking into the right rear cargo area - coming in through the fuse box area. Dealer had my Escape for almost 40 days trying to fix the leak (they were back logged with other leaks to fix). While fixing the initial leak I had found, the dealer found a second leak coming in from the right side roof rail area. The dealer believed they had fixed both leaks and returned the vehicle - all under warranty. The dealer had to order a new headliner that took 8 weeks to get. After 5 more days in the shop to install a new head liner I got my Escape back. Now in August, I now have a leak coming in on the headliner near the front right "A" pillar causing staining to the headliner. Now back to the dealer. How long will they have it this time? :crying: Anyone else having similar issues and did your dealer/bodyshop fix the problem? Has anyone been able to have success in having Ford buy your Escape back under the Lemon Law?

Be nice if you gave us your vehicle specs. We don’t even know if you have roof racks.

 

We'll see.....my lemon law suit was filed a week ago after multiple repair attempts and over 30 days out of service.

 

Just thought I'd jump in and post my experience with my 2017 Escape SE, Factory Roof racks, no sunroof, built in Louisville Ky, Delivered 4th week of August 2017, Leak first noted in May 2018:

2 weeks ago I had found completely by accident a large amount of water in my spare tire well, I'm talking 1/2 gallon (2-2.5L) with no exaggeration. At that time I thought I must've gotten a ice chunks or something in there over the winter accidentally due to opening the hatch and it falling in. The spare tire liner was soaked! I hung it in my shed to dry and drained the tire well. Then I started thinking about it. That was A LOT of water, something was wrong.

So I jumped on the forum here and found that the grommets at the top corners could be a point of moisture entry. So I looked at those. The grommets sure didn't seem to be a real tight fit, so I applied a little permatex sealer to them and reinstalled. I'd hoped that was it for that.

Then one night we had an overnight rain, nothing torrential, just a steady spring soaking. The next morning I opened my hatch to check that my grommet sealing was successful and was shocked at how much water was in there again after just one rainfall event! At least a quart (1L)! Something was definitely VERY wrong. I then suspected the roof rails. I called my dealer and made appointment to drop off with the Ford approved body shop to deal with it.

What they found was: 1) that the factory seal was not present/not sufficiently applied to seal the roof seam. But it appeared that someone attempted to seal it with another type of sealing that is now dried and cracked allowing water infiltration. This 'fix' was applied after paint, whereas the factory seam seal is applied before paint. The workmanship was such that the shop was leaning towards this 'fix' application was done sometime after leaving the factory (by unskilled labor) since it had been done after painting the vehicle, and they inquired if I had the roof rails removed at some point. I did not, but this description closely matches what other members here noted as to what their problem in roof rack area looked like - that someone in the factory attempted to seal defective the seam with Dum-dum sealer. 2) the drivers tail light was also missing seam sealer, and was also allowing water ingression.

This is absolutely a manufacturing defect and I would have to assume that it isn't a one off problem with my build, it has a probability to affect every Escape built around the time mine was in the production line up until they noted the problem on the line and resolved.... it or else it is a production problem on the line that is still an issue..

I would highly advise any others with water leak problems to focus on this area as the point of ingression if you're experiencing water ingression. If you currently are not, I would suggest maybe having it looked at preemptively because the nature of the 'fix' sealer is to crack and shrink over time which is when the water starts to flow, and not an immediate problem straight out of production.

 

Yep, I believe you are on to something. Its what I have been saying all along. For some reason (cost cutting maybe) the roof ditch is the problem area. Maybe Ford should watch this video.

Or this one:

 

2017 Escape Titanium Rear Cargo Area Water Leak

I had noticed late last year that water was leaking on the right side of the rear cargo area. (You can see water trails around the fuse panel cover and water accumulation in the attached photos. Right side of carpet has also been wet.) My dealer's service advisor told me that I would have to bring it in on a Monday since the service company they use for water leaks only has a representative there on that day. After many more days of rain and continued leaking observed, I had my appointment this morning. Upon arrival and check-in at 7:15AM, I was advised that the "water man" wouldn't be at the dealership until around noon. Anticipating that diagnostics would have to be performed, I had taken the day off from work, but hadn't really wanted to spend all day in the customer waiting area. My dealer has provided excellent service in the past and I had no doubt that they would continue doing the same.

Around 12:30, my service advisor let me know that the tech had diagnosed the problem as "sealer cracking loose" and if he repaired it, I would have to pay between $300 - $400. I calmly said, "No, I don't think I'll be paying for it. This isn't anything I've caused." Then I reminded her that the vehicle was still under the basic bumper to bumper warranty. She also tells me that if he repaired it, I couldn't drive it in the rain which had been forecasted for today. My question to her: "Then what is Ford going to do for me?" Not intentionally being difficult with my service advisor, but just at the point that I'm annoyed.

Conclusion: I drove home in a rental and will be contacted when my Escape is ready to pick up. I'll post any new developments as they occur.

 

I have this exact same issue. Only problem is that my warranties have expired.

2017 Escape Titanium Rear Cargo Area Water Leak I had noticed late last year that water was leaking on the right side of the rear cargo area. (You can see water trails around the fuse panel cover and water accumulation in the attached photos. Right side of carpet has also been wet.) My dealer's service advisor told me that I would have to bring it in on a Monday since the service company they use for water leaks only has a representative there on that day. After many more days of rain and continued leaking observed, I had my appointment this morning. Upon arrival and check-in at 7:15AM, I was advised that the "water man" wouldn't be at the dealership until around noon. Anticipating that diagnostics would have to be performed, I had taken the day off from work, but hadn't really wanted to spend all day in the customer waiting area. My dealer has provided excellent service in the past and I had no doubt that they would continue doing the same. Around 12:30, my service advisor let me know that the tech had diagnosed the problem as "sealer cracking loose" and if he repaired it, I would have to pay between $300 - $400. I calmly said, "No, I don't think I'll be paying for it. This isn't anything I've caused." Then I reminded her that the vehicle was still under the basic bumper to bumper warranty. She also tells me that if he repaired it, I couldn't drive it in the rain which had been forecasted for today. My question to her: "Then what is Ford going to do for me?" Not intentionally being difficult with my service advisor, but just at the point that I'm annoyed. Conclusion: I drove home in a rental and will be contacted when my Escape is ready to pick up. I'll post any new developments as they occur.

 

Update... I picked the car up the following afternoon and it finally got rained on yesterday and today. I've been through the carwash a few times since the repair was made but wasn't sure if the area was dried when the interior was cleaned. After an afternoon, evening and morning in the rain, no leaks were observed. Happy Escape owner again.

 

Hi Ross,
Given that your experience is one of the few permanent solutions - which specific points(holes) were sealed so I/we may focus our efforts there?

Thank you!
mfp

 

Absolutely rediculous. Last spring it was my driver's side rear roof ditch leaking and now just yesterday I notice I have a disgusting water stain on the passenger front.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

 

Don't despair,
Ford has a spray /foaming "Upholstery Cleaner". Rub it in , leave it for at least 25 seconds. Towel it off.
Still there, repeat procedure. This stuff works!!!! It was recommended for this specific issue in a FOrd Bulletin.

 

I just (hopefully) fixed my problem for good. I found when I took up the roof rack mount that it wasn't actually the rack but the sealant they used in the ditch. Whether from the rack install or just poor workmanship there were two voids in the sealer which appeared to have happened when the rack was tightened onto it and caused the sealant to come up around the mounting bracket and promulgated a crack extending forward in a triangular shape. Last weekend I put Permatex black RTV on the side I could see and it fixed 80% but i neglected the backside where there was another void. I RTV'd the heck out of the whole area to the point I had to wipe excess out after reattaching the mounting bracket. Had a heavy rain last night and its dry this morning. I do intend to file a complaint with the NTSB since the water leaks onto the curtain airbags and after the Takata incidents I know moisture and airbags are bad. I would recommend everyone else do the same for the same reason and maybe we cam prompt a recall for this. I am so mad because otherwise this is such a nice car and my experience is ruined by a few dollars of misapplied sealant.

 

I just noticed water stains on the roof liner in my 2017 SE with roof rails. I bought it used end of last year. This will be the last Ford I ever buy. I have owned eight before this one and NEVER had an issue.

 

update on my 17 leak. right on spot as the seams on the roof are completely shot and water is gushing in and they cannot figure it out.
link goes to my post in another water leak thread..

Leaking roof?????

My 17 Se is only 2 weeks old , garaged, not in rain yet, but from what I just read today about leaks from roof racks, which I have..OH NO!!!!!..Is this a common thing or just a tiny fraction of vehicles have this problem,..and has Ford addressed the issue?????....I believe mine was sitting...

www.fordescape.org

Anyone with succesfull remediation of the issue on their Escape would be greatly appreciated as this has been going on and they cannot seem to get a handle on the issue to resolve it.

 

Why do they have the bolts sticking up out of the roof? Did they let the caulking dry and remove the bolts? Not sure I would of done it this way. And they gasket on the bottom of the pylons is pretty thin, so if the surface of the ditch is uneven, your going to get water intrusion. In your situation the correct fix is to completely remove the factory ditch caulking and reapply with new material which is a self leveling caulk. Pretty much just like this:

My successful fix is here, pics at post #13

Yet Another Roof Leak

Yep. Had some wicked storms last night. Happen to glance up at the drivers A pillar. Saw a small wet spot. Took the A pillar moulding off. About 2 tablespoons of water trapped in the A pillar nooks and crannies. Tested my pano roof drains. There is one in each corner up front. i saw the water...

www.fordescape.org

 

Thank you HayaiKuruma

This is the kind of thing I am looking for. I will keep you all posted onthe journeyto resolve

 

update, Seam Sealer failed....waterfalls inside on both sides front and back and middle. after removing the rack the seam sealer is a bit of a mess in the pictures.

I can see how the roof rack mounts at each end can cause issues. But my question is why would the centre mount for the plastic strip clip do this?

Concern is now that the sheet metal of the roof has separated from the body causing the seam sealer to fail. The seam has split open even into the back hatch as you can see in a couple pictures. Body shop is involved now. And talking to Ford of Canada about it for warranty. Clearly a defect.