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: other or unspecified
151 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Sep 15, 2026
Summary ON YOUR VEHICLE, THE REAR VIEW CAMERA COULD DISPLAY A BLANK OR DISTORTED IMAGE ON THE CENTER DISPLAY SCREEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE. YOU MAY ALSO RECEIVE A MESSAGE THAT THE REAR VIEW CAMERA IS UNAVAILABLE ON THE CENTER DISPLAY SCREEN. Safety Risk A REAR VIEW CAMERA THAT DISPLAYS A BLANK OR DISTORTED IMAGE WHILE IN REVERSE CAN REDUCE OR DISTORT THE DRIVERS VIEW OF WHAT IS BEHIND THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Remedy PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
Other or unspecified, Back over prevention, Aug 31, 2026
I am submitting a formal vehicle-safety complaint regarding my 2016 Ford Escape. My vehicle is included in NHTSA Safety Recall 25V695 / Ford Campaign 25SA9 concerning a rearview camera that may display a blank, distorted, or intermittent image while the vehicle is in reverse. My vehicle is experiencing camera unavailable and also no audio at all. I first reported this problem to Ford or an authorized Ford dealer about a year ago. I subsequently contacted Autonation ford wholfchase and Ford Motor Company. My Ford case number is CXHO8776034. Despite my repeated attempts to obtain the recall repair, the recall remains incomplete. Ford and/or its dealer has told me repair solution is not available. Audio issue and rearview backup camera are tendem issue. I asked while waiting on parts, they can fix audio issue to aid me in reverse.They said for audio issue you can leave your car with us however it will take about 4-6 week that I have to pay for. No loaner vehicle will be provided. Ford has not provided me with: A confirmed repair date A meaningful parts-delivery date An alternative Ford dealer capable of completing the recall A written plan for correcting the safety defect The underlying camera problem has existed for more than a year. I understand that the formal recall was issued on October 13, 2025, and that Ford originally anticipated the final remedy in June 2026. This is not merely a customer-service inconvenience. The defective rearview camera reduces my ability to see pedestrians, children, vehicles, and objects behind the vehicle while reversing, increasing the risk of a collision. I must continue operating a vehicle with a known and unrepaired safety defect through no fault of my own. My vehicle also has a complete loss of audio with rearview camera at the same time. The audio failure affects radio/parking-assistance tones/seatbelt warning/door warning/navigation prompts/other warning sounds.
Other or unspecified, Back over prevention, Aug 24, 2026
This recall has been going on for almost a year. And I was having problems for at least a year or two before that it’s to the point where we’re almost every time I try to use it it says unavailable. This is a safety concern as a backup camera is a vital safety feature. Ford is taking a long time to fix this issue.
Other or unspecified, Aug 14, 2026
recall has remedy not available since Oct 13, 2025 for the rear view camera. This has been an issue in several models of Ford vehicles. I have a 2019 FORD MUSTANG that had the same issue and the recall was completed in 5 months. the manufacturer has failed to provide a remedy for 10 months.
Other or unspecified, Aug 10, 2026
I own a 2016 Ford Escape with an open safety recall involving the rear-view/backup camera. I contacted Ford and have an existing Ford customer service case regarding the recall (Case CXH-08846683-H2S6Z8 ) Ford/dealer has informed me that the required replacement part is currently unavailable, leaving the safety recall unrepaired. The backup camera is a safety feature that is important when reversing and avoiding pedestrians, children, and other vehicles. I am requesting that NHTSA document this complaint and review Ford’s ability to provide a timely and effective remedy for this safety recall. I would also like Ford to provide a reasonable repair solution or timeline for obtaining the required part. Ford case number: CXH-08846683-H2S6Z8 Recall number: 25SA9 Vehicle: 2016 Ford Escape Date I was informed the part was unavailable: been trying for 5 months Dealer: Ford
Other or unspecified, Aug 10, 2026
I own a 2016 Ford Escape SE affected by NHTSA recall 25V695 / Ford recall 25SA9 (rearview camera inspection). The recall was reported on October 14, 2025, and the remedy was anticipated to become available in June 2026. I contacted a Ford dealership on August 10, 2026, and was told that the parts are not currently available and that I should wait for a remedy notification in the mail. The recall has now been outstanding for approximately 10 months. I would like NHTSA to review the status of the recall and whether Ford is taking an appropriate amount of time to make the remedy available to affected owners. I would also like to know whether Ford has provided NHTSA with an updated estimated remedy-availability date, since the original recall information indicated that the remedy was anticipated to become available in June 2026, and it is now August 2026. The safety of myself and others is at risk with an incomplete remedy: I live on a busy road, and one morning while backing out of my driveway to go to work, I almost hit a pedestrian walking on the sidewalk at the end of my driveway. He was in my blind spot when I looked both ways, and my rearview camera was not working.
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2026
There’s a safety recall issue on the backup camera it has gone out. It keeps saying backup camera unavailable.
Other or unspecified, Jul 27, 2026
Manufacturer (Ford) has failed to remedy the problem highlighted in following NHTSA recall. The recall was initiated by NHTSA on January 17, 2025, recall schedule proposed by FORD was "Planned Remedy Owner Notification Date: Jun 29, 2026 - Jul 03, 2026 ", which has passed and FORD still is not fixing. The schedule was already lenient and still has been ignored and they need to be held accountable for it. Manufacturer Recall Number - 25SA9 NHTSA Recall Number - 25v695 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available
Other or unspecified, Jul 21, 2026
The recall on my car has been active for over 6 months, however there is still not a remedy. My rear view camera failed on me today almost causing me to hit a child that I was unable to see.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jul 20, 2026
The rear camera first started failing intermittently, and now occurs constantly. The camera goes black on the screen. I nearly backed into a child in a grocery store parking lot.
Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2026
My 2016 Ford Escape is under a recall for the rear view camera. My rear view camera does not work. Ford issued the recall in October 2025 but has not made an effort to repair my vehicle. I have a bad neck and back, it is hard for me to turn and look behind me. I could really use the rear view camera working again.
Other or unspecified, Back over prevention, Jul 14, 2026
My rear camera and therefore cross traffic and parking indications fail almost every time I turn my car on. Ford acknowledges that this is a problem and that there is a recalled part, but they do not have replacement parts and so I must continue to drive with faulty parts.
Other or unspecified, Jul 14, 2026
There has been a recall, 25SA9, for over a year for the backup camera on this car. There is no date as to when it will be fixed and the camera is non functional now. This is my daughters car and It needs to be addressed quicker than a year.
Other or unspecified, Jul 9, 2026
I am extremely disappointed with the way Ford has handled the recall on the rearview camera for my 2016 Ford Escape. I received the recall notice about a year ago. Six months ago, I contacted Chapman Ford and was told the replacement parts were not yet available and that I would be notified when they came in. Now, a full year later, my backup camera still does not work. This is a safety issue--not a convenience feature. When I called Chapman Ford again today, I was told the part was still unavailable for the Escape and was only being supplied for Mustangs. They gave me Ford Corporate's customer service number. Ford Corporate assured me that they would resolve the issue. They contacted Chapman Ford, spoke with Valerie, and told me everything had been arranged. I was told my appointment was set, the repair would be completed at no charge, and the problem would be taken care of. About an hour later, Chapman Ford called me back and said they actually did not have the part after all, could not perform the repair, and there was nothing they could do. After waiting an entire year for a safety recall, this is simply unacceptable. Ford sent out a recall notice acknowledging there was a safety problem, yet they still cannot provide the parts needed to fix it. Owners are left driving vehicles with defective backup cameras and no clear timeline for when the repair will actually happen. Ford should be ashamed of the way this recall has been handled. If you're going to issue a safety recall, you should also have a plan to provide the parts necessary to fix the vehicles within a reasonable amount of time. Customers deserve better communication, better follow-through, and most importantly, a prompt resolution to safety-related defects.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 7, 2026
The electrical radio backup camera does not work it's all malfunctioned.
Other or unspecified, Jul 7, 2026
I am the owner of a 2016 Ford Escape. In October 2025, I received a safety recall notice regarding the rearview camera. The notice explained that the camera could fail, display a blank or distorted image, and increase the risk of a crash. Since receiving the recall notice, I have repeatedly contacted Ford dealerships to schedule the repair. However, I have been told that the replacement part is not available or that there is still no remedy available. As of today, many months have passed, and my vehicle has not been repaired. The rearview camera is an important safety feature, especially when backing up in parking lots or areas where pedestrians or children may be present. Driving without a properly functioning rearview camera exposes me and others to an unnecessary safety risk. I believe Ford has failed to provide a timely remedy for this safety recall. I respectfully request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigate this delay and require Ford to make the necessary repair available as soon as possible. This delay has been unreasonable. More than eight months have passed since I received the recall notice, yet Ford has been unable to provide the required repair. A safety recall should be resolved within a reasonable time, and I am asking NHTSA to take appropriate action to ensure that Ford complies with its obligations and protects vehicle owners. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Other or unspecified, Jun 29, 2026
Back up camera has failed.
Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2026
For about 2 years now my 2016 Escape would periodically show a distorted image in the camera when reversing. It was infrequent and would often correct itself before I was done reversing or if I just stopped and put it into park and then reversed again. I received the recall notification when it came out and have been waiting for the update on when parts are available. For about 5 months now the issue has become more frequent and days ago it has stopped working multiple times, not even giving the display error and keeping the radio screen on and playing music. I just hit 88k miles and take very good care of my car. I haven’t called the dealership because everything I can find when I look says the parts are still not available, even my auto insurance login knows there isn’t a fix. For such an important safety issue this is taking too long for them to do something.
Other or unspecified, Jun 7, 2026
Rear view camera delays or not available for reverse driving.
Other or unspecified, Back over prevention, May 6, 2026
I received this recall notice in October 2025. I contacted [XXX] in Marion, Ohio to take care of the recall. I was told at that time that they did not have the parts to do the recall. So, I called back January 28, 2026 and was told the part was not available. I then called in March and inquired and was told the same thing. So, I phoned again on April 27 and was told that I would have to make an appointment for the recall. Since my husband was going to be taking care of it, he called the next day to schedule an appointment. An appointment was made of April 29 and they said they could come to our house to do the recall. No one showed up on that date. So, we called on April 30 to see why. They said the tech called in sick and would contact us when he was back. We waited until today, May 6 and called them back as no one had called. TODAY, they tell us that there is no active recall on our car.... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Apr 28, 2026
My backup camera is experiencing the problems in the recall. Ford dealership wants to charge me 200 dollars for diagnostics. I should not have to pay for diagnostics or a new camera since it’s covered under the recall.
Other or unspecified, Apr 13, 2026
My Backup Camera has not worked for 2 years and I have a recall notice from October of 2025 for this exact issues and the recall has not been remedied.
Steering, Suspension, Other or unspecified, Mar 18, 2026
rear camera doesn't work--also theres a problem with the rack and pinion
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 18, 2026
Transmission went out at 101k miles - transmission needed to be rebuilt which I had done at a large cost. There was no warning, the trans went out while driving. Purge valve for gas (EVAP) also went out without any warning and when I would put gas in the car, the car would not start.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Mar 18, 2026
My car moves when pushed or pulled and the vehicle is off and in park. Additionally, my car does not accelerate over 5 miles per hour and makes a whining noise when trying to drive