Recall 17V398 affects 3 2016 Ford Escape vehicles with driver's knee airbags missing inflator material. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 3 2016 Escape vehicles under recall 17V398 because the driver's knee airbag modules were built without inflator gas generant material. In a crash, the knee airbag can fail to inflate as intended, which increases injury risk for the driver; Ford dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The driver's knee airbag in a 2016 Ford Escape sits below the steering column, near the driver's knees. In a frontal crash, it is meant to inflate quickly and help control lower-body movement so the main restraint system can protect the driver as designed. It needs an inflator charge inside the module to fill the bag.
In the affected Escapes, the supplier built certain knee airbag modules without the inflator gas generant material. That material creates the gas that inflates the airbag. The issue started when a production line was switched into test mode after a fault, and the automated checks did not catch modules with insufficient fill before three suspect modules were shipped to Ford.
An owner will not feel this problem during normal driving. There is no warning sign before failure. The defect matters when the knee airbag is needed in a crash, because the bag can fail to inflate properly.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Ford Escape | air bag system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 3 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2016 Ford Escape is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
The driver's knee air bag can fail to inflate as intended in a crash, which increases the driver's risk of injury. Because this protection matters only during a crash, confirm your VIN and schedule the dealer repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Ford Escape is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free driver's knee air bag replacement that fixes the missing inflator material.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V398 when you call.
- Keep using your seat belt on every trip until the repair is complete; the driver has an increased injury risk in a crash if the knee air bag does not inflate.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the driver's knee air bag module covered by recall 17V398. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through Ford's original warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the warranty provides a free repair for this concern. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| June 26, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 8, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 18, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V398?
Recall 17V398 covers 3 2016 Ford Escape vehicles with driver's knee airbag modules built without the inflator gas generant material. In a crash, the knee airbag can fail to inflate as intended, increasing the driver's injury risk. Ford dealers replace the driver's knee airbag for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Ford Escape is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Escape is included in recall 17V398. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the driver's knee airbag replacement. Reference Ford recall number 17C11 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford's remedy says dealers will replace the driver's knee airbag free of charge. Use Ford recall number 17C11 when scheduling service.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced driver protection in a crash. The driver's knee airbag module was produced without the inflator gas generant material, so the airbag can fail to inflate as intended and increase the driver's risk of injury.
What if I bought the Ford Escape used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Ford dealer with recall 17V398 or Ford recall number 17C11 to schedule the driver's knee airbag replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V398000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V398 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V398000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →