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
1,124 reports, newest first.
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.
Back over prevention, Aug 31, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rear-view camera displayed an upside-down image or a blue screen. In additional to the camera failure, the audio sounds and notification failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted about the failure and was informed that the audio failure might be linked to the camera failure. 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, and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Back over prevention, Aug 26, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and stated that the remedy was only available for Mustang vehicles. 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.
Back over prevention, Aug 25, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a distorted image. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. However, the rear-view camera later displayed a blank image. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and two cases were filed. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Back over prevention, Aug 25, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse(R), the rear-view camera displayed an upside-down image or a blank image. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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 failure mileage was 87,000.
Electrical system, Back over prevention, Aug 25, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while in reverse(R) on several occasions, the rear-view camera went black and failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that the radio turned on and off independently, and the screen failed to operate as intended. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Engine, Aug 25, 2026
It appears the engine has gone bad. Water leaking into cylinders. Car is in shop now. Friendly Ford in Arkansas City, Ks. They may have contacted you.
Back over prevention, Aug 24, 2026, crash
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing out of the garage at approximately 3 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a parked vehicle directly behind it. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a blank image. The parked vehicle sustained damage to the front driver’s side fender. No air bags deployed. The vehicle was not towed. There was no warning light illuminated. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was not destroyed. No injuries were reported. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); as the possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 206,000.
Seat belts, Aug 24, 2026
The seatbelt stopped retracting properly and no longer locks when I break suddenly or when I pull the belt all the way out
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.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Aug 23, 2026
My 2016 Ford Escape is subject to safety recall 25SA9 / NHTSA 25V695 involving the rearview camera. Ford's recall states that the rearview camera may display a blank or distorted image in reverse, or may display a message that camera is unavailable. The rearview camera is now completely nonfunctional. It previously worked intermittently but progressively worsened and is gone now. When I place the vehicle in reverse, the center display either remains blank or continues displaying the navigation/map screen shown while driving. It does not display the rearview camera image. The vehicle and camera are available for inspection upon request. This creates a significant safety risk because I have lost the rearward view provided by the camera when backing up. This is particularly concerning because this is the exact safety defect addressed by the recall: an unavailable rearview camera (for a [XXX]!!) can reduce driver's view behind the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash. I have contacted Ford dealerships regarding this recall both in Texas, where I previously lived, and in Utah, where I now live. I have been told that the replacement remedy part is still unavailable, so the recall repair cannot be performed. Ford's original NHTSA recall filing stated that final remedy owner notifications were planned for June 29–July 3, 2026. It is now August 23, 2026, and remedy remains unavailable. The problem has not been repaired or resolved by a dealer because the recall replacement part is unavailable. I have not had the vehicle inspected by police or an insurance representative. The camera initially worked intermittently and then stopped altogether. The current symptom is that, when in reverse, the display either remains blank or continues showing the navigation/map screen instead of displaying the rearview camera image. I am requesting that NHTSA review Ford's handling of recall 25V695/25SA9, particularly the continued lack of an available remedy. THIS IS UNSAFE! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Electrical system, Aug 23, 2026
I am filing this complaint regarding a serious safety issue with the rearview camera on my Ford vehicle. My rearview/backup camera does not function properly when I place the vehicle in reverse. The display either shows a blank screen or a severely distorted image, preventing me from reliably seeing the area behind my vehicle. Ford issued a safety recall concerning rearview-camera problems in October 2025. I have contacted Ford/dealership personnel regarding the recall and the defective camera. I have been advised that the replacement part needed to repair my vehicle is not currently available. This is extremely concerning because the rearview camera is an important safety feature that is specifically intended to provide visibility behind the vehicle while backing. At present, I cannot depend on the camera to show me what is behind my vehicle. This creates an increased risk of striking a person, another vehicle, property, or another obstruction that I may not be able to see. The problem is not merely an inconvenience or cosmetic issue. I am experiencing an actual loss of rear visibility while the vehicle is in reverse. Ford has acknowledged the safety concern through its recall, yet I am still unable to obtain the required repair because I am being told that the necessary part is unavailable. I am requesting that NHTSA review this matter and determine whether Ford is adequately addressing the recall and providing affected owners with a timely and effective remedy. I would also like this complaint to document that I have reported the safety defect to Ford/dealer and that the vehicle remains unrepaired because the necessary replacement part is reportedly unavailable. I am concerned about continuing to operate the vehicle without a functioning rearview camera and believe this unresolved condition presents an unreasonable safety risk.
Back over prevention, Aug 21, 2026
See attached document for complaint.
Back over prevention, Aug 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing the vehicle, the rear-view camera image was upside down or blank. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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 failure mileage was 125,000.
Engine, Aug 19, 2026
First the transmission failed on the freeway and was almost squished between a semi and car. I pay thousands to get it fixed and now the engine light is on and the transmission fluid and the coolant are leaking into each other. I can't accelerate very well and they said it can't be fixed only a NEW engine. The mechanic at your dealership said it's a known problem and that there is no recall yet. I'm sorry for the working family this a cost that can not be endured! This is terrible. The car can not accelerate very well for passing vehicles or when entering onto the freeway. It is very much a safety issue and needs to be addressed.
Back over prevention, Aug 19, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the back-over prevention camera was blank while reversing. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were on back order. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.
Back over prevention, Aug 19, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available for the recall repair. 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.
Back over prevention, Aug 18, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera was intermittently inoperable. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
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.
Back over prevention, Aug 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); 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 in reverse, the back over prevention camera failed to display an image and displayed a black screen. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 59,127.
Back over prevention, Aug 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a blank image. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the recall repair could not be completed because parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired until parts became available. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
Back over prevention, Aug 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the camera screen was blank. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were on back order. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Back over prevention, Aug 11, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was determined that an unknown part needed to be replaced, but the part was u not yet available. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Back over prevention, Aug 11, 2026, crash
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that while in reverse(R) on several occasions, the rear-view camera screen was black and blue. The contact stated that on one occasion while in reverse(R), the rear-view camera operated momentarily, but the screen then went black and blue, and the vehicle crashed into another vehicle driving by in the parking lot. The second vehicle sustained damage to the passenger’s side rear bumper. There were no injuries reported. A Police report was filed, but the information was not available. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the rear-view camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
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