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.
Power train, Feb 2, 2023
Vehicle would drop out of gear while driving or at a complete stop. I would press on the accelerator to go; however, the car would be unable to move forward. I would have to put the vehicle in park, turn off the ignition, and then restart the vehicle at which point, the car may move for about a mile before dropping out of gear again. This would be a continuous process until I could get the vehicle somewhere safe. The vehicle has stopped moving forward while driving on the highway, which causes a safety hazard for every drive on the road. Researching the problem, there are multiple people complaining of the vehicle having transmission problems and Ford has not done a recall knowing that a vehicle that is not in motion on the highway can be life threatening to many others. The vehicle was take to a Ford service facility and their comment has been "we know it is an issue but your transmission is bad and you need a new one."
Power train, Feb 2, 2023
Severe engine noise, sounds like the engine might fail at anytime. We were worried that the engine would fail and leave us stranded, we live in a cold climate and were afraid to leave town in the car. The problem was confirmed by the dealer - a manufacturer defective flexplate NHTSA ID#: 10174407. There were no warning lamps.
Back over prevention, Jan 28, 2023
rear back up camera fails intermittently, blue screen says camera not available.
Wheels, Jan 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for an oil change and tire rotation, the contact was informed that the lug nuts on all four wheels had become swollen and could not be removed. The vehicle was not repaired. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,436.
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.
Electrical system, Jan 23, 2023
APIM crashed after I attempted to do the upgrade The local Ford Dealer tried to repair this but we're unable to and Ford will not cover this because it was 3 months past warranty
Structure, Wheels, Engine, Jan 19, 2023
Since purchasing this vehicle there have been many issues. I had purchased the additional warranties also only to have the dealership say they were not covered. First my roof leaked. Had to take to a repair shop through the dealership, luggage racks had to be taken off and welds redone. Next the catalytic converters went bad with only approximately 50,000 miles. Ford would not talk to me and the dealership stated it is not covered under the extended warranty. Somehow I paid minimal repairs but during that time their best mechanic was fired. Next the Continental tires pealed. I had the tire warranty and the dealership would not cover. I called Continental they stated that they knew these tires were bad but yet they were still sold on vehicles! After much complaining and stress all but $400 was covered by Continental. The dealership did very little. At approximately 65,000 the engine blew. I found out by a local repair shop that Ford had an Escape safety issue on their site about the engines. After speaking with Ford twice they refused to speak to me any longer and only the dealership if I wanted the engine replaced. I did and was given numerous different amounts it would cost me. Since this was Ford's manufacturing issue I should have paid nothing. It took over 4 months to repair my vehicle. I had to complain to Ford and the dealership to get a loaner. I am a 66 year old single women who depended on the quality of Ford. I had tried to email Ford representatives and call with no reply ever. Each of these issues had no warnings lights nor were there any problems prior to the issues occurring. These issues could have caused major accident by the engine quitting in traffic or blowing, and the tires pealing. Ford motor needs to pay for all these issues. There needs to be a class action suit.
Engine, Jan 18, 2023
Vehicle engine started smoking. Coolant fluid and oil entered the engine compartment caused engine failure and blown rod and more damage to engine. Dealer estimated $12,000 to replace engine. Research determined that many of these vehicles have had similar issues. Very dangerous situation under any circumstance but more so when this occurred on a busy interstate highway. There is currently a class action lawsuit, [XXX]et al v. Ford Motor Company, case no. [XXX] that addresses the failure of Ford to properly address the engine defect. I am not a party to that lawsuit. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
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.
Other or unspecified, Jan 14, 2023
Anytime I run the heat and the car is idling, there is a very strong gas smell. I am guessing that when the car is moving, the air flow pushes/pulls it out as it's not as strong then. It's strong enough to make you cough and I would guess make you sick if you didn't turn the heat off. It's been occurring since October and happens every time I try to use the heat. I took it to Gaplin Ford in Prescott to get it looked at. Instead of being honest and saying they couldn't figure out what the problem was and reaching out to Ford corporate, they lied and said the smell went away. It in fact did not go away. They 100% lied about the smell going away. After picking up my car, I no sooner got to the stop light at the edge of their property and the gas smell was there. I'm guessing they can't find a leak, but a gas smell is nothing to just brush off. I just took the car in this past week, I work from home and we don't always use my car so we didn't realize this was an actual issue until recently, and the car didn't just get gas spilled on it or run over spilled gas at a gas station.
Engine, Jan 11, 2023
Car stared backfiring and engine light came on. Mechanic told me coolant is leaking into cylinder from head gasket. Told me probably need a new engine, told me Ford is aware of problems but aren't going to repair them. Ford has a tech bulletin- SSM 49821
Wheels, Jan 9, 2023
All tire lug nuts swollen.
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.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
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.
Wheels, Dec 12, 2022
Lug nuts are swollen so could not get tires off to rotate them.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, she smelled an abnormally strong gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed but no failures were found. The contact's son used the OBD reader and Ford computer system to diagnose that the fuel line originating from the engine to the fuel tank appeared to be clogged. The contact's son diagnosed that the purge valve Evap System had failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed by the dealer, and it would then be determined whether they could assist with the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.
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.
Wheels, Dec 9, 2022
Wheel lug nuts have swollen & distorted. Can't have tires rotated or worse, can't change tire if flat occurs away from home.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started to emit white smoke from underneath the hood and into the cabin of the vehicle. The contact pulled off the road and turned off the vehicle and opened the hood. The contact saw that coolant had spilled onto the engine. The contact stated that the temperature gauge had been moving from hot to cold randomly. The contact restarted the vehicle however, the overheating and smoke returned. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.