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: fuel/propulsion system
61 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 30, 2020
2016 FORD ESCAPE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE ESPECIALLY ON HOT DAYS. WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR, THE VEHICLE JUST SHUTS DOWN AND I PRAY THAT I CAN GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER TO TURN IT OFF AND LET IT REST. IS NOT PULLING ANY CODES SO THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW. IT IS SCARY KNOWING IT COULD SHUT DOWN AT ANY TIME WHILE I AM DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY IN IT. FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBELM ASAP!
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 7, 2020
EMISSIONS PURGE VALVE IS BAD/STUCK. TRUCK STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT TIMES. WHEN SHUT OFF TO GET GAS, MUST WAIT 20 MINUTES BEFORE TRUCK WILL START.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 27, 2020
DRIVING DOWN VERY BUSY STREET AND VEHICLE STALLED AS I PULLED UP TO TRAFFIC LIGHT AND CAME TO A STOP. AS MANY AS 3-4 TIMES I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED WHILE TRYING TO GET VEHICLE STARTED. PROBLEM SEEMED TO ONLY OCCUR WHEN FUEL TANK IS BELOW 1/2 TANK AND I WOULD NOTICE FUEL FILL PORT FLAPPER VIBRATING AND SUCKING AIR INTO FUEL TANK. THE FORD FOCUS HAS THIS RECALL ON THE CANISTER PURGE VALVE, WHY NOT ON A FORD ESCAPE. SAME PART USED ON BOTH. THIS PROBLEM WENT ON FOR TWO WEEKS BEFORE I COULD GET VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP.
Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 5, 2019
I BOUGHT IT AROUND AUG 1, 2019 WITH ABOUT 30,000 MI. LESS 2 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT, IT STARTED INTERMITTENTLY GOING TO LIMP MODE, WHERE I CAN'T ACCELERATE PAST ~1500 RPMS. RESTARTING THE CAR USUALLY MAKES IT GO BACK TO NORMAL. THOUGH SOMETIMES I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES, WHICH SOMETIMES TRIGGERS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN IT OFF AND WAIT A COUPLE MIN TO MAKE IT GO AWAY. IF I RESTART THE CAR, AND IT IMMEDIATELY GOES BACK TO LIMP MODE, I CAN HEAR/SEE THE RPMS GO ABNORMALLY HIGH FOR SEC THEN GO BACK DOWN. WHEN IN LIMP MODE, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT, AIRBNB WARNING LIGHT, "HILL START ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE" MESSAGE, AND "ENGINE FAULT SERVICE NOW" MESSAGE COME ON. IT USUALLY GOES INTO LIMP MODE AT LOW SPEEDS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WHEN I'M STOPPING AND SOMETIMES WHEN ACCELERATING, ESPECIALLY ON HILLS. THOUGH IT CAME ONCE ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN I WAS JUST SLIGHT BRAKING GOING FROM ~ 70 MPH TO 65 MPH, REQUIRING ME TO DANGEROUSLY PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE AT NIGHT. I TOOK IT TO THE TOOTHMAN FORD DEALER IN GRAFTON, WV WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR, AND THEY THE FOUND CODE P2107 ABOUT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS REPLACED. I HAD THAT DONE 2 TIMES WITH 2 DIFFERENT THROTTLE BODIES BUT THAT DIDN'T FIX IT. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER FOR A 2ND OPINION WHILE IT WAS IN LIMP MODE, AND THEY FOUND A CODE ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY CIRCUITRY/WIRING, BUT THEY CHECKED ALL THE WIRING AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. ALSO, ONCE WHEN I DID A COLD START AFTER MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE RAIN ALL DAY, THE CAR WENT STRAIGHT INTO LIMP MODE AS SOON AS I TURNED IT ON.ALSO, ONE TIME IN LIMP MODE I SMELLED GAS BURNING. I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP TO DIAGNOSE THE ODOR AND WAS TOLD THE GAS WASN'T GETTING TO ALL THE CYLINDERS. RESTARTING THE CAR TEMPORARILY MADE THE PROBLEMS GO AWAY THESE TIMES TOO.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 3, 2019
I HAVE A 2016 FORD ESCAPE 4WD. IT IS CONSISTENTLY STALLING WHEN DRIVING. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I PAID $22,000 FOR THE CAR AND IT IS ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD. THE INTERNET HAS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS REPORTING THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2016 FORD ESCAPE. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE CAR AS IT STALLS IN INTERSECTIONS WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC. FORD COMPANY IS STATING IF IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THEIR IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ACCEPT AN ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AT MY COST WHICH IS UPWARDS OF $6000. I CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITH THE CAR AND IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE TO DO WHAT THEY ARE SAYING IS THE REPAIR. THEY KNOW THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON AND A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I GUESS THEY HAVE WEIGHED THE COST OF THE RECALL AND DECIDED PEOPLE SHOULD DIE FIRST BEFORE THEY WILL BE FORCED TO DO THE RIGHT THING BY ACKNOWLEDGING AND FIXING THE PROBLEM.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 12, 2019
DRIVER WAS DRIVING ON DIRT ROAD ON A HOT DAY. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 102 DEGREES OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE BEGIN TO LOSE POWER AND SUDDENLY IT JUST STALLED. THE DRIVER THEN WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN UNTIL IT FINALLY WOULDN'T TURN BACK ON. THIS TIME THE DRIVER WAITED AN ADDITIONAL 20 MINUTES AND FINALLY IT WORKED AGAIN UNTIL THEY MADE IT BACK TO A GAS STATION. THE FUEL LEVEL WAS BARELY UNDER A HALF A TANK. THE VEHICLE TENDS TO SHUT DOWN ON A HOT DAY WHEN FUEL GOES BELOW A HALF A TANK. IT IS CONSISTENT WITH OTHER 2016 FORD ESCAPES.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 12, 2019
THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELLING DOWN RURAL HIGHWAY ON A HOT DAY. IT SHUT DOWN ALMOST IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS 99 DEGREES. THE FUEL LEVEL WAS AT A QUARTER TANK. THE DRIVER THEN LEFT THE VEHICLE OFF ON THE SIDE OFF THE ROAD FOR 10 MINUTES AND WAS ABLE TO TRAVEL ANOTHER 20 MILES BEFORE BREAKING DOWN AGAIN.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 20, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTART. ONCE THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND SPUTTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. *BF *JB
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 29, 2019
THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. IT HAS DONE THIS AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND SLOWER. CANNOT PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC FOR FEAR OF THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 5, 2019
ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN GOING ON AND OFF FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW. FIRST GARAGE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE O2 SENSORS, SO I REPLACED THEM. THAT NIGHT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AGAIN SO I BRING OUT BACK IN, THIS TIME IT'S THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I HOLD OFF AND GET A DIAGNOSIS FROM ANOTHER SHOP, 3 HITS WITH THE 2.0 TURBO. I BRING IT INTO FORD TODAY AND THEY'RE SAYING IT'S BOTH.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 9, 2019
WHEN ACCELERATING ON A HIGHWAY (GOING 55 - 60 MPH) VEHICLE ABRUPTLY SHIFTS GEAR AND SLOWS DOWN ON ITS OWN TO THE POINT OF THINKING THE VEHICLE HAS STOPPED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE AND THEN A FEW DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING TERRIBLY WHERE THE CAR WAS HOPPING DOWN THE ROAD AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 30 MPH. THEN AT A LIGHT IT STALLED OUT COMPLETELY AND I WAS NEARLY HIT. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE BEYOND 30 MPH. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE FOLLOWING DAY WHERE IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES TO THEM. NO CODES PRESENT, BUT A COUPLE HISTORICAL CODES FOR SENSORS. THEY INDICATED THEY WERE UNSURE IF THE SENSORS WERE THE ISSUE, BUT REPLACED. PICKED VEHICLE UP AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED TODAY. THANKFULLY I WAS NOT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY THIS TIME, BUT THE CALL COMPLETELY STALLED AT LOW SPEED WITH AC ON AND MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THIS TIME EITHER. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ARE CURRENTLY UNSURE OF THE ISSUE. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE THIS WILL BE RESOLVED. THIS ISSUE SEEMS SIMILAR TO OTHER REPORTS AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. I AM HAPPY TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. I WILL BE ESCALATING THIS UNTIL APPROPRIATELY RESOLVED. SEEMS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL, BASED ON THE VOLUME OF REPORTS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 7, 2019
CODE P1450 WHICH IS EMISSION PROBLEMS. REGULATES THE FLOW OF STORED FUEL VAPORS FROM ESCAPING INTO THE ATMOSPHERE. FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 6, 2018
AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FWY MI CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING I PULLED OVER AND MY CAR TURNED OFF. I HAD A QUARTER TANK OF GAS LEFT ONCE I TRIED TO TURN IT ON IT WOULD NOT LET ME. I HAD TO CALL A TOW. I NOW HAD A CHECK ENGINE SIGN ON. I TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE AND THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW PURGE CANISTER VALVE. BUT THAT DOESNT EXPLAIN WHY IT DID NOT WARN ME ON THE FWY THAT I NEEDED GAS .
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 24, 2018
CAR LOSES THROTTLE RESPONSE RANDOMLY. LUCKILY I'VE HAD SOMEWHERE TO GET OFF ROAD EVERYTIME ON HIGHWAY. WHEN SEARCHING CODE FOUND OUT THERE WAS A FIELD SERVICE ACTION TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODY. WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED. THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE NOW.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 27, 2018
CAR STARTED VIBRATING WITH REDUCED POWER. THE ERROR CODE WAS P2111: THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM - STUCK OPEN
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 20, 2018
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING SPEED LIMIT WHEN IT STARTED TO SHUT DOWN. IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND LASTED LONGER TO START AND TO STAY RUNNING. WHEN SHUT DOWN FOR 10 MINUTES IT WOULD TRAVEL ABOUT 20 MILES BEFORE HAVING ISSUES ONCE AGAIN. FOUND OUT WHEN THE FUEL HAS UNDER A HALF A TANK THE PROBLEM BECOMES MORE FREQUENT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 20, 2018
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING SPEED LIMIT WHEN IT STARTED TO SHUT DOWN. IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND LASTED LONGER TO START AND TO STAY RUNNING. WHEN SHUT DOWN FOR 10 MINUTES IT WOULD TRAVEL ABOUT 20 MILES BEFORE HAVING ISSUES ONCE AGAIN. FOUND OUT WHEN THE FUEL HAS UNDER A HALF A TANK THE PROBLEM BECOMES MORE FREQUENT. THIS TIME THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL BUT IT STARTED ACTING UP.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 20, 2018
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING SPEED LIMIT WHEN IT STARTED TO SHUT DOWN. IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND LASTED LONGER TO START AND TO STAY RUNNING. WHEN SHUT DOWN FOR 10 MINUTES IT WOULD TRAVEL ABOUT 20 MILES BEFORE HAVING ISSUES ONCE AGAIN. FOUND OUT WHEN THE FUEL HAS UNDER A HALF A TANK THE PROBLEM BECOMES MORE FREQUENT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 20, 2018
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING SPEED LIMIT WHEN IT STARTED TO SHUT DOWN. IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND LASTED LONGER TO START AND TO STAY RUNNING. WHEN SHUT DOWN FOR 10 MINUTES IT WOULD TRAVEL ABOUT 20 MILES BEFORE HAVING ISSUES ONCE AGAIN. FOUND OUT WHEN THE FUEL HAS UNDER A HALF A TANK THE PROBLEM BECOMES MORE FREQUENT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 20, 2018
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING SPEED LIMIT WHEN IT STARTED TO SHUT DOWN. IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND LASTED LONGER TO START AND TO STAY RUNNING. WHEN SHUT DOWN FOR 10 MINUTES IT WOULD TRAVEL ABOUT 20 MILES BEFORE HAVING ISSUES ONCE AGAIN. FOUND OUT WHEN THE FUEL HAS UNDER A HALF A TANK THE PROBLEM BECOMES MORE FREQUENT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 20, 2018
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING SPEED LIMIT WHEN IT STARTED TO SHUT DOWN. IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND LASTED LONGER TO START AND TO STAY RUNNING. WHEN SHUT DOWN FOR 10 MINUTES IT WOULD TRAVEL ABOUT 20 MILES BEFORE HAVING ISSUES ONCE AGAIN. FOUND OUT WHEN THE FUEL HAS UNDER A HALF A TANK THE PROBLEM BECOMES MORE FREQUENT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 20, 2018
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING SPEED LIMIT WHEN IT STARTED TO SHUT DOWN. IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND LASTED LONGER TO START AND TO STAY RUNNING. WHEN SHUT DOWN FOR 10 MINUTES IT WOULD TRAVEL ABOUT 20 MILES BEFORE HAVING ISSUES ONCE AGAIN. FOUND OUT WHEN THE FUEL HAS UNDER A HALF A TANK THE PROBLEM BECOMES MORE FREQUENT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 20, 2018
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING SPEED LIMIT WHEN IT STARTED TO SHUT DOWN. IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND LASTED LONGER TO START AND TO STAY RUNNING. WHEN SHUT DOWN FOR 10 MINUTES IT WOULD TRAVEL ABOUT 20 MILES BEFORE HAVING ISSUES ONCE AGAIN. FOUND OUT WHEN THE FUEL HAS UNDER A HALF A TANK THE PROBLEM BECOMES MORE FREQUENT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 20, 2018
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING SPEED LIMIT WHEN IT STARTED TO SHUT DOWN. IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND LASTED LONGER TO START AND TO STAY RUNNING. WHEN SHUT DOWN FOR 10 MINUTES IT WOULD TRAVEL ABOUT 20 MILES BEFORE HAVING ISSUES ONCE AGAIN. FOUND OUT WHEN THE FUEL HAS UNDER A HALF A TANK THE PROBLEM BECOMES MORE FREQUENT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 20, 2018
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING SPEED LIMIT WHEN IT STARTED TO SHUT DOWN. IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND LASTED LONGER TO START AND TO STAY RUNNING. WHEN SHUT DOWN FOR 10 MINUTES IT WOULD TRAVEL ABOUT 20 MILES BEFORE HAVING ISSUES ONCE AGAIN. FOUND OUT WHEN THE FUEL HAS UNDER A HALF A TANK THE PROBLEM BECOMES MORE FREQUENT.