Safety Ratings and Airbags (2017 Ford Escape)

This page gives a simple way to think about safety on a 2017 Ford Escape. I highlight airbag coverage, child seat basics, and the checks that keep a vehicle predictable in daily driving. I avoid long lab reports and focus on items an owner can control. I use the same routine on our Escape, which we call Alice.

Airbag coverage at a glance

• Front airbags for driver and passenger
• Seat mounted side airbags for front occupants on many trims
• Side curtain coverage for rows one and two on many builds
• Passenger presence sensor in the seat to control deployment logic

Exact equipment depends on trim and market. Check your airbag labels and your manual for the final word on coverage and warnings.

Active safety systems most owners feel

• ABS and stability control for slippery roads
• Traction control to reduce wheelspin on takeoff
• Available driver aids such as blind spot monitoring or rear cross traffic alert on some trims and packages

Child seats and anchor points

• LATCH anchors live in the outboard rear seats. The center position often uses the seat belt route. Follow your child seat manual and your vehicle manual together
• Use the correct top tether anchor location for your seating position. Tighten until the seat does not move more than an inch at the belt path
• Rear facing seats should never touch hard plastic trim with sharp edges. Use a thin towel only if the child seat maker allows it

Tire and brake checks that pay off

• Rotate tires on schedule so grip stays even front to rear. Uneven grip can lengthen stops and upset stability control tuning
• Confirm cold tire pressures at least monthly and before trips. Set to your door placard
• Inspect brake pad thickness and rotor surfaces at every tire rotation. A smooth brake feels safe and shortens panic stops

Visibility that helps avoid the emergency in the first place

• Clean the inside of the windshield to cut night glare. That single step helps more than people expect
• Replace wiper blades when they streak or chatter. Keep a spare rear blade in the cargo bin
• Aim headlights carefully against a wall. A quick aim often helps more than a brighter bulb

Crash ratings and what to do with them

Crash ratings are a guide, not a guarantee. Use them to compare vehicles, then keep your own vehicle in top shape. Tires, brakes, alignment, and glass clarity decide how the Escape behaves before any crash. If you are shopping used, confirm that airbags have not been deployed in the past and that all recalls are done for the VIN.

Products to buy

• High quality wiper blades in the correct lengths for front and rear Shop wipers
• Digital tire pressure gauge and a compact inflator Gauge · Inflator
• Reflective triangle and small first aid kit for roadside stops Triangle · First aid

Final reminder

Safety starts with the basics. Good tires, fresh brakes, clear glass, and a calm driver with a seat that fits. Run through this list twice a year. It takes less than an hour and keeps the Escape feeling predictable when it matters most.