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: power train
320 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Jan 27, 2023
2016 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE WAS UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THE DEFECTIVE PART WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND FEELS THE BILL IS A LITTLE EXCESSIVE.
Power train, Jan 24, 2023
My 2016 Ford Escape was included in a recall for a bushing related to the functioning of the transmission. While at home the car stopped shifting and wouldn’t move. The car was towed to the nearest Ford dealership and it was confirmed that the problem was with the recalled part. It was repaired but not even 90 days later the same thing happened only this time while driving through the mountains to my job site. It was towed again to the same dealership who is now telling us we need a new transmission. This is all very coincidental since we have had no trouble whatsoever with the transmission until this point. This vehicle is not safe to drive and we contend that it is likely due to the related recall.
Power train, Jan 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. In July of 2022, the contact received a safety recall notification from the NHTSA under Campaign Number: 22V413 stating "the bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach." The owner then received another letter in October 2022 stating that remedy parts were available in which the owner took the vehicle to the local Ford dealership to have it repaired on November 17, 2022. At approximately 5:30am on December 28, 2022 the contact owner was heading to work. When the light turned green at a major intersection, the contact owner's stated the vehicle hesitated accelerating at low speeds despite being in gear (D). Fortunately, the owner pulled over at a shopping center parking lot and had the vehicle towed to the local Ford dealership. At the time of failure, no warning lights or messages were illuminated or displayed from the dashboard. Later that morning, the owner's son reproduced the issue and documented it on video. When the owner's son put the car into reverse (R) the car moved forward and when put into drive (D). The opposite occurred along with hearing a grinding (increased RPMs) and a popping noise when finally in gear. The failure mileage on the vehicle was 135,373 miles. The local Ford dealership confirmed the transmission pump had failed and would cost $1,600 out of the owner's pocket to tear down the transmission despite the owner purchasing an 3rd party extended warranty service from the local Ford dealership.
Power train, Jan 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the highway, the transmission was slipping, and the vehicle stalled and lost motive power with the transmission fault warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced after retrieving 8 transmission failure codes. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
Power train, Jan 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while pulling out of his driveway, the vehicle failed to accelerate as designed. The contact stated that there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced and that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Power train, Dec 25, 2022
Transmition stopped working while driving. Metal parts found and fluid burnt.
Power train, Dec 23, 2022
On December 20, 2022, I was driving down a highway exit ramp when my car just stopped accelerating. I managed to exit but the car abruptly and without warning slowed to a crawl. I stepped on the accelerator but the car slowed and then suddenly lurched forward. At the time, traffic was extremely heavy and I could not pull over. It continued to violently lurch forward. Then for the first time the transmission light came on. I managed to park my car and call AAA. My car was towed to the Ford dealership where it was purchased for service. After diagnostic testing, the dealership informed me that the transmission seriously malfunctioned and it would cost $6,400 to repair. It would also take twelve weeks for them to get the parts to fix the car. The car only has approximately 109,000 miles and I drive it short distances 3 to 4 times a week. I did not receive a single advanced warning about my transmission until it failed.
Power train, Dec 22, 2022
2016 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO TRANSMISSION SHIFTER SAFETY RECALL.
Power train, Dec 21, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and then lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The mechanic replaced the transmission. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
Power train, Dec 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and came to a stop on a bridge with the engine still running. The contact was informed by her daughter that the “Service Transmission" and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a transmission specialist, and it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that the transmission failed two more times and required replacement. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Power train, Dec 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard a grinding sound. The contact then stated that while shifting into drive(D), the vehicle hesitated and then stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The dealer was previously notified of the failure, and the contact was provided and appointment date; however, the vehicle had not yet been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,048.
Power train, Dec 5, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 5 MPH, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact coasted to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
Power train, Dec 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. Additionally, the vehicle was jerking while shifting gear. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed and determined that the transmission was faulty. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
Power train, Dec 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, after the vehicle was retrieved from the dealer, while her aunt was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to properly respond while shifted into gear. The contact stated that the following day the transmission fault warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure; however, the contact was awaiting a response. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
Power train, Nov 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH uphill, the transmission started slipping. The contact coasted the vehicle to a flat surface where the failure was self-corrected temporarily; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact coasted the vehicle to a safe area where the transmission completely failed. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission had failed due to metal shavings in the transmission filter. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired by a certified mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.
Power train, Nov 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light, she removed her foot from the brake pedal and the vehicle independently started to reverse. The driver stated the transmission warning light was illuminated after turning off and restarting the vehicle. The contact continued experiencing the failure while driving back to the residence. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer and the recall repair was performed. The vehicle was repaired; however, after leaving the dealer, the failure immediately recurred. The contact parked on the side of the road and towed the vehicle back to the dealer. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,693.
Power train, Nov 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop light, he heard a noise under the hood of the vehicle. The contact then stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to immediately respond. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The transmission fault warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the third gear failed to operate. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
Power train, Nov 7, 2022
Our 2016 Ford Escape transmission failed at 121,000 miles with no warning. There was no slipping or leaking fluid. The transmission was serviced at 100,000 miles. When the transmission failed the engine started to jump in rpm's with the speed dropping till the car wouldn't go anywhere. When it was placed in park the transmission warning light came on. I had the car towed to a transmission repair facility where I was told that I needed a new transmission that something went internally and was plugging the filter. I looked at the forum for 2016 Ford Escapes and see this is a common problem. Shouldn't this be a recall? It's not safe to just to have this go all at once on the highway.
Power train, Oct 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal humming noise detected. The vehicle decelerated, jerked, and lost motive power. The contact placed the shifter in park(P) and restarted the vehicle. The accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle was slow to respond while the RPM redlined. The transmission fault message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 110,401.
Power train, Oct 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Power train, Oct 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from 35 to 40 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal whining sound under the hood. The RPM increased; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact coasted the vehicle to the residence. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and filed a case. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Power train, Oct 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 76 MPH, the vehicle decelerated with the transmission failure warning message displayed. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact restarted the vehicle and pulled over safely. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be taken to an authorized dealer. The failure mileage was 75,366.
Power train, Oct 18, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Power train, Oct 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was notified of the issue and confirmed that parts were not available. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact stated that after his wife placed the gear shifter in park, the gear shift indicator showed that the vehicle was not in park. The contact stated that the parking brake was engaged. VIN tool confirms part not available. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Power train, Oct 11, 2022
It had a recal on transmission bushing.We never had problems till they did th recall while driving we felt like a chain type thing snap pulled in to Walmart and had no gears.So we had it towed to Varney Ford they did a diagnostic and never got paper work ex ept that everything was good example,tires oil etc and said it was the transmission. They wanted 7 grand to fix it we had it towed to a garage in Canaan. I called Ford 4 times they said it was not under warranty and could not help. They also said tow it to a Ford place that would have been the 3rd. place towed. There was never any information light to check motor no signs and symptoms of any trouble. When I called Darlings they said I Have to take it to a Ford Garage before they would even know if they could help. I do not know how they diagnosed it if it was through a plug in or trans oil check etc.2 Tows and no help lucky no one got hurt or dead. Since all people are having problems why are they not fixing their problem? It only has 113 thousands miles and is well taken care of. I have talk to a few Ford Garages that said I should have had a light or signs which We had zero. Then one asked did we check the transmission oil. Hello dude its encased and you cannot check it .Like what's going on with this supposed mechanic? Beyond this AlI I get is the run around and told by the Ford people its not a recall on the transmission of the Ford Escapes 2016.