Where is the VIN number in Ford Escape (III/IV) [2017-2017]?

This guide covers the VIN number locations on the Ford Escape (III/IV) [2017-2017]. If you’re verifying a vehicle before buying, matching the VIN across at least two locations (windshield + door label) is the quickest sanity check.

Chassis Number Locations

1) Windshield (Dashboard)

• Where to look: From outside the vehicle, locate the VIN plate at the lower left corner of the windshield (LHD driver’s side)—right at the base of the glass near the dash, just below the wiper resting position.
• Access: Easy to reach, but high glare/reflection potential (clouds/trees) and dirt or rain droplets can hide characters.
• Note: This is the most common “walk-up” VIN check point on LHD Escapes.
• Tip: If reflections wash out the letters, shade the area with your hand and scan it directly with ScanVin.app so you don’t misread a character through the glass.

2) Driver’s Door B-Pillar Label (Door Jam)

• Where to look: Open the driver’s door and find the Safety Certification / manufacturer information sticker on the B-pillar. The VIN is typically printed twice: once in smaller text near the top and again clearly above the barcode near the bottom.
• Access: Generally low difficulty. Light is usually good with the door fully open, but the label can get worn, scratched, or dirty with age.
• Note: This is one of the best places to confirm VIN accuracy because it’s high-contrast (black on white) and often includes a barcode.
• Tip: If the label is grimy or the barcode area is scuffed, wipe it and use the free VIN reader to capture the VIN cleanly without re-typing it.

3) Infotainment Screen (SYNC) — System Information

• Where to look: On the center display, navigate the menu path: Settings → Help → System Information. The VIN is shown on-screen.
• Access: Moderate difficulty—requires the vehicle to have power and the screen to be working, plus some menu navigation. Glare and screen refresh can affect readability.
• Note: Useful as a backup/verification point if physical tags are damaged or hard to read.
• Tip: If the screen glare or refresh makes the text shimmer, hold steady and capture it with your phone using ScanVin.app so you don’t copy the wrong character.

4) Engine Bay (Bulkhead/Firewall) — suspected stamped VIN

• Where to look: Check the center firewall/bulkhead area under the plastic/cowl trim near the rear of the engine bay. On some vehicles, the stamped marking can be hidden under covers or trim near the cowl.
• Access: High difficulty. Often requires moving weatherstrips or lifting plastic trim, and the stamping may be faint/dirty.
• Note: This is more of a professional inspection point than a quick owner check.
• Tip: If you do find a faint stamped marking, clean the area and use high-accuracy scanning with ScanVin.app to reduce errors from grime and low contrast.

5) Floor (Under Seat) — unverified mention

• Where to look: A possible secondary stamped VIN is sometimes discussed as being on the floor panel under the passenger seat, but this was not confirmed visually.
• Access: Extremely high difficulty if trim or carpet must be lifted—most owners shouldn’t disturb interior carpet or covers for this.
• Note: Treat as a last resort only.
• Tip: If you ever need to check a hard-to-see floor marking in low light, scan it with your phone using a steady close-up shot to avoid transcription mistakes.

Video Guide

Video Tutorial: Where is the VIN number of my Ford Escape III ( 2013 – 2019 ) | All Possible VIN Number Locations

▶ Watch Ford Escape VIN Location Guide

• Walkthrough showing the door-jamb sticker, windshield VIN plate, and the SYNC menu path for the on-screen VIN, plus an attempted (but unconfirmed) engine-bay stamped VIN search.

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

• Windshield glare/reflections: Move your body angle left/right and shade the VIN plate; clean the exterior glass to remove water spots and film.
• Door-jamb label wear: Stickers can fade or get scratched—clean gently with a damp cloth and confirm by matching the windshield VIN.
• Important: A door sticker can be replaced—if you’re buying the vehicle, cross-check at least two VIN sources and investigate any mismatch before proceeding.

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