2016 Ford Escape
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 1,124 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 26 Escape model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 36 involved a crash and 10 involved a fire. 19 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Equipment, electrical, engine block heaterJan 15, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
Campaign 26V011000 on NHTSA.gov
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraOct 13, 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
Campaign 25V695000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl)Jun 10, 2022
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Campaign 22V413000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, knee bolsterJun 26, 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Ford Escape vehicles. The driver's knee airbag modules installed in these vehicles were produced without the inflator gas generant material, and, as a result, the air bags may not inflate properly in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
In the event of a crash, if the driver's knee air bag does not inflate as intended, the driver has an increased risk of injury.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace driver's knee air bag, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C11.
Campaign 17V398000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
245 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 5, 2024
While driving home going about 40 mph my Ford Escape lost acceleration and then completely shut off IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD! I was able to "limp" it to the side of the street where it would not start at all. I then placed it in reverse (as I was on a hill) to roll it backwards into a neighborhood to get it out of the way of on coming traffic. It was 10 PM at night! I waited for a few minutes and was able to get it to start but not change gears. I was able to get it to my neighborhood with hazards on going barely 10mph. It literally rolled into my driveway where it has been since (November 2023).
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle started and was idling rough, with white smoke coming from the exhaust. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that coolant had intruded into the cylinders and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure several years ago, and a second engine replacement was needed. The contact researched online and related the failure to the Technical Service Bulletin Number: 19-2139 Coolant Intrusion into the Cylinders (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
Engine, Dec 6, 2023
engine coolant leaking into cylinders 1&2, causing check engine light to come on, misfires (over a period of 6 months)and block to crack. Had to replace. Bought escape in April 2023, Have car loan plus personal loan to pay for repairs. This was caused by defective design. Caused finical hardship for us. Could have caused engine overheating and fire. I will download one document for engine replacement, I have to many to download.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 27, 2023
On November 14th, 2023, a red alert appeared on the dash that indicated an engine temperature warning indicating that there was a high temperature warning and that I should find a safe place to pull over and immediately stop the vehicle. The temperature indicator on the dash showed the needle move instantly into the red/high area and then drop down. This happened twice, back-to-back. I checked the coolant and it was below the minimum level indicator as shown on the reservoir. A day later, the service engine light illuminated. I took the vehicle to Advanced Auto and asked to pull the service code and was told there were two, P0303 and P0304 which indicated a cylinder three misfire and cylinder four misfire. I noted that the coolant was also low once again despite seeing no fluid on the ground after allowing the vehicle to run. Bill Collins Ford inspected the misfires and coolant and found the issue to be related to a flaw in the engine design which allows coolant to leak into the cylinders. I was told this could have allowed the vehicle to overheat and catch on fire as well as causing the engine to lock up while in operation. Bill Collins Ford provided an estimate of $13,000 to repair the vehicle stating it required a new engine. I purchased this vehicle used from CarMax on August 2, 2023 and have put less than 3,000 miles on it before experiencing this issue.
Power train, Engine, Nov 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the transmission inadvertently downshifted to a lower gear. The contact stated that the gear shifter became inoperable. The check engine and electronic throttle control system warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the motor mounts and transmission bushing cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
Engine, Nov 15, 2023
The escape has a defective EcoBoost engine that cause coolant to leak into the cylinders, increasing the risk of engine failure or car fires. The 2016 escape had coolant leak into the cylinder of the engine that caused the engine to fail needing a new engine due to this. The problem of the coolant leaking into the engine has been documented by a Ford dealership and some models of the escape have been recalled due to this except the year of 2016. There was no warning lights or messages showing that this issue has happened. I was driving this vehicle when the issue was occurring and mine and my child’s safety was put at risk.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced rough starts, overheating and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that there was coolant present inside the engine cylinders and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 96,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, with the engine overheating and the message Cylinder Number One Misfire was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that coolant was present inside cylinder #1 and the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 123,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 24, 2023
While driving the car shuddered and then shut off. The transmission light came on with a warning about 5 minutes after it shut off. So there was never a warning and we were unable to get it to go back into any gear.
Engine, Oct 14, 2023
The Coolant is leaking out of the engine somewhere. The dealership said it was fixed with a new coolant bypass valve Yet when got home the coolant bottle was empty and there was overheating warning again.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 17, 2023
Stalling in the middle of highway twice
Engine, Sep 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature sensor illuminated, and the vehicle overheated. The contact stated he was able to drive the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed as having coolant intrusion and a warped engine block. The contact was informed that the engine block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
Engine, Engine and engine cooling, Aug 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started overheating. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and waited until the vehicle cool down and added coolant to the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NTHSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 15, 2023
Vehicle check engine light goes on usually during hot weather. Vehicle stalls and hesitates on acceleration causing unsafe conditions with traffic, intersections, etc.
Engine, Aug 10, 2023
Vehicle over heated and had to pull over to cool it down. Got vehicle home safe and check engine light was on. 116867 T1.0 for diag verified customer's concern. Quick test P1299, P0217, P0219 for over temp condition. removed spark plugs and found coolant intrusion into all the cylinders, WSM direction is to replace the long black. This same issue is happening with other Escapes and are on the recall list. I am requesting my VIN/car be added to the recall for the same issue.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 27, 2023
The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced excessive coolant consumption. Additionally, upon starting the vehicle, the contact's daughter noticed a significant amount of smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that that there was coolant intrusion into the cylinders and the head gasket had failed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 19-2375. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
Engine, Jul 9, 2023
The engine does not always turn off when you press the start engine button. Although my vehicle is a 2016 Ford Escape it was most likely manufactured in 2015 and was manufactured in Lexington KY Ford has been unable to diagnose the problem although a recall already exists for the very same problem RECALL# 15V436000. Tallahassee FL Ford dealership is charging me for diagnostics (again) I have taken car to dealership before for this problem in June 2022 and they were unable to fix it . This is as serious safety issue for myself and my 2 toddlers both under the age of 3.
Engine, Jun 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, while starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming out the exhaust pipe and the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine was blown and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 144,000.
Engine, Jun 8, 2023
I have a 2016 Ford Escape. Left the grocery store and the service engine soon light came on. The car went into safe mode and would only go 10 miles a hour. I was able to get it to the dealership and they told me it was the engine. They are waiting on the part. I was reading all these statements and ford needs to do better. 2 years ago the transmission went. The dealership that put the transmission in did not put all the bolts on when I took it to the dealership they told me the transmission was about to fall out! I wish I could get rid of this vehicle!
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, May 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 35 MPH and accelerating to highway speeds, the vehicle started to overheat. The contact stated that the high engine temperature warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that coolant was added, and the vehicle was able to be driven to the intended destination. The vehicle was turned off and was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Back over prevention, May 25, 2023
Engine control computer malfunction is causing the engine, SYNC, bluetooth, brake lights, and rearview camera to malfunction.
Electrical system, Engine, Back over prevention, May 23, 2023
Rear view camera stopped working almost a year ago, and out of no where the transmission stopped working. I recently just got an oil change and asked for the works to get my whole car checked out and that report as all the reports before it came back with no issues. So found it surprising that this happened.
Engine, May 15, 2023
My engine suffered the coolant intrusion issue that many ford eco boost engines are experiencing. I reached out to ford because its a part of their ford TSB (which I have copies of and sent Ford). I was quoted 12,249$ By the ford dealership to fix my engine, when this is an on going issue with ford ecoboost engines. There were no warnings other than my car overheated once and kept losing coolant into the engine (white smoke from tailpipe) the check engine light finally came on 2 days before I took it into the dealership (my husband assumed it was head gasket). The dealership has diagnosed engine failure, it wasn’t until then we started doing research and realized there is even a lawsuit against ford for this issue. My car insurance will not pay for it because it is not an issue caused from collision. I am a mother of 2 with no vehicle now, I cannot put 12,249$ for a new engine, and shouldn’t have to when this is an issue on Fords part. I have reached out to Ford directly who also refuses to take responsibility even though they as a company have posted the TSB regarding the issue. I bought my car certified pre owned with 30k mikes. It’s under 100k with a failed engine. A ford representative at the dealership made the comment “most people trade their cars in every 2-3 years” when I mentioned I thought I bought a reliable vehicle to buy and pay off. Basically they know it won’t last when they sell it is what that boils down too, and count on people trading it in.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the message "Transmission Fault - Service Now" was displayed and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that engine coolant had leaked into the engine cylinder causing severe damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced for the same failure and the transmission and engine was replaced. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 14, 2023
Defect in the coolant system which caused leaking into my cylinders