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, Apr 13, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND AND DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO FOUND TWO UNKNOWN CODES AND TOLD THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000.
Air bags, Apr 5, 2020, crash
HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER WITH LEFT FRONT QUARTER PANEL AT 72 MPH ON INTERSTATE AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT PHONE WAS TRIGGER THROUGH SYNC TO CALL 911 FOR CRASH DETECTED.
Power train, Mar 31, 2020
MY 2016 FORD ESCAPE TORQUE CONVERTER IN MY TRANSMISSION EXPLODED AT 85,000 MILES. AAMCO TOLD ME ITS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS PART. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND TRAVELLING AROUND 30 MPH. COST $5400.00 TO REPAIR BECAUSE THE METAL SHAVINGS WENT BACK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. VERY DANGEROUS!
Power train, Mar 24, 2020
SLOWED AT FLASHING YELLOW LIGHT ON HIGHWAY, WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER LIGHT, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A LONG TRIP. SLIPPAGE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY, THEN FREQUENTLY AND "SERVICE TRANSMISSION NOW" MESSAGE APPEARED. SLIPPAGE OCCURRED WHENEVER CAR WAS SLOWED AND TRANSMISSION ATTEMPTED TO DOWNSHIFT AND THEN ACCELERATE AFTERWARD. VERY DANGEROUS AT INTERSECTIONS, ESPECIALLY WHEN TAKING LEFT HAND TURNS IN TRAFFIC. VEHICLE LESS THAN THREE YEARS OLD AND SLIGHTLY OVER 60K MILE WARRANTEE LIMIT. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR $6500.
Suspension, Mar 16, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT, THE VEHICLE DRIFTED RIGHT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TOM MASANO FORD LINCOLN LOCATED AT (1600 LANCASTER AVE, READING PA 19607) WHO CONFIRMED THE OIL LEAK AND THAT THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Power train, Mar 13, 2020
WHILE DRIVING, WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS....NO ENGINE LIGHTS, THE VEHICLE JERKED THEN WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE IT WOULDN'T MOVE, ONLY ENGINE WOULD REV UP. VEHICLE STALLED ONE TIME AND AFTER STARTING BACK UP IT WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE BUT NO MORE THAN 20-40MPH. HAD TO KEEP PULLING OVER AND RESTARTING TO GET VEHICLE TO KEEP MOVING TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE. WARNING MESSAGE FINALLY CAME UP TO SERVICE TRANSMISSION NOW. HAD NO PREVIOUS TRANSMISSION ISSUES OR MESSAGES. THIS ALL HAPPENED DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY.
Engine, Mar 5, 2020
CAR ONLY HAS 80,000 AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, RATTLED.
Power train, Engine, Feb 23, 2020, fire
MY CAR STOPPED WHILE DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET. AUTONATION FORD CLAIMED THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WHICH LED TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THEY WANTED $7K TO REPAIR. I TOOK IT ELSEWHERE FOR REPAIR AND WITHIN 1 WEEK AFTER REPAIR THE CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. I HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE BUT HAD JUST EXITED TO A NEARBY RESIDENTIAL AREA. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS MELTED. THE CAR IS TOTALED AND HAS BEEN TURNED OVER TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY, ALLSTATE.
Steering, Feb 17, 2020
CAR STARTED NORMALLY WHEN LEAVING THE HOME WITH AUTOSTARTER. DROVE TO A GAS STATION, PARKED, WENT INSIDE, CAME BACK OUT AND THE CAR PROMPTED WITH A "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" ERROR. ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE, NO POWER STEERING. TURNED OFF CAR, RESTARTED AND ISSUE REMAINED. UPON GETTING THE CAR TO A MECHANIC, REPORTED FULL POWER STEERING FAILURE REQUIRING FULL REPLACEMENT OF POWER STEERING RACK AND PIN.
Other or unspecified, Feb 14, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 IN MARYLAND ON 1/29/20 WHEN I HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND REALIZED MY SUNROOF HAD EITHER EXPLODED OR IMPLODED. AS I DROVE I COULD HEAR THE GLASS SLIDING ON THE HEADLINER WHICH FORTUNATELY WAS CLOSED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO WHERE I WAS STAYING AS I WAS WORKING OUT OF STATE (I LIVE IN WELLINGTON, FL) , COVERED MY CAR ROOF WITH A TARP AND THEN TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIRS. THE DAY IT HAPPENED THE WEATHER WAS SUNNY, NOT VERY HOT AND THERE WERE NO OBJECTS THAT HIT THE ROOF OF MY CAR.
Power train, Feb 8, 2020
TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY 2016. IT'S NOT EVEN 5 YEARS OLD. NO WARNING OF ISSUES. MY VEHICLE IS REGULARLY HAS OIL CHANGES. IT JUST STOP ON ME AND WOULD MOVE FORWARD.
Power train, Feb 5, 2020
FORD ESCAPE 2016, WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET MY CAR STARTED SMOKING FROM THE HOOD I STOPPED IMMEDIATELY CHECKED FOR WATER, COOLANT WATER WAS EMPTY SO I FILLED WATER AND I TOOK TO THE MECHANIC SHOP THEY SAID ITS COOLANT RESERVOIR
Air bags, Feb 3, 2020, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED, LEFT THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK SEVERAL TREES HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL DUE TO A FRACTURED PATELLA AND BRUISES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. JACK MADDEN FORD LOCATED AT 825 BOSTON-PROVIDENCE TURNPIKE, NORWOOD, MA 02062, (781)207-9009, WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,118.
Power train, Feb 1, 2020
MY 2016 FORD ESCAPE BROKE DOWN ON THE MORNING OF FRIDAY, JANUARY 24TH. NO WARNING, NO PRIOR ISSUES OCCURRED. IT WAS A COMPLETE SHOCK. THE WARNING LIGHT, 'TRANSMISSION FAULT SERVICE NOW,' CAME ON ONLY WHEN THE CAR BROKE DOWN. NOT ONLY WAS IT SCARY, BUT IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. AS A RESULT, WE HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO THE ANDERSON FORD DEALERSHIP (ANDERSON, SC) WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. UNFORTUNATELY, THE CAR'S WARRANTY HAD JUST EXPIRED. MY CAR HAS 62.5K MILES. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS OF NO HELP. EVEN CONTACTING THE FORD CORPORATION BROUGHT VERY LITTLE IF ANY RELIEF. THERE'S NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THIS IS A FAULTY PART. I'VE NOT SEEN A RECALL, BUT I HAVE NOTICED MANY SIMILAR ISSUES HAVE BEEN POSTED. PLEASE HELP!
Wheels, Jan 31, 2020
AUG 2019 HAD TO REPLACE LUG NUTS ON 3 WHEELS AND JAN 2020 HAD TO REPLACE 4TH WHEEL I WAS TOLD THAT ROUND TIPS ON NUTS WERE LOUSE AND THEY WERE BULDGED WHEELS COULD COME OFF THESE WERE ORIGINAL I ASKED ABOUT RECALL NONE WEST HERR DEALER ITOOK TO MY MECHAINIC AND HE CHANGED 3 WHEEL NUT AUG THEN JAN HE FIX THE RR LUGS I V HEARD OTHERS COMPLAIN GRAND AUTO TECK GRAND IS NY DID MY REPAIRS WHEELS NEVER CAME OFF
Power train, Jan 22, 2020
I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS AND HAVE BEEN ON TIME WITH EVERY SINGLE NORMAL UPKEEP AND MAINTENANCE SERVICE. IT CURRENTLY HAS 87,000 MILES ON IT, AND WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, I FELT THE CAR SHUDDER WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE GEARS SLIPPED SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE ENGINE WOULD ALTERNATE BETWEEN REVVING WHEN I WAS BARELY TOUCHING THE GAS, TO NOT GOING ANYWHERE AT ALL WHEN I HAD THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AND WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD MAJOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES. MECHANIC SAID THAT THERE WAS A GASKET THAT FAILED AND CAUSED A TRANSMISSION LEAK. AND THANKS TO THE DESIGN TRANSMISSION FLUID IS NOT SOMETHING THAT I CAN CHECK MYSELF.
Other or unspecified, Jan 21, 2020
THE APIM IN THE TOUCH SCREEN THAT CONTROLS GPS, RADIO, BLU TOOTH, IS FAULTY SO NAVIGATION WILL STOP WORKING, CALLS ON BLU TOOTH WILL DROP, AND YOU CAN'T CHANGE RADIO STATIONS. MY BACKUP CAMERA WILL ALSO GET STUCK ON THE SCREEN EVEN WHEN I'M IN DRIVE. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ALL TIMES, BUT USUALLY WILL START OUT WORKING THEN
Power train, Jan 20, 2020
I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR LESS THAN 3 YEARS AND HAVE BEEN ON TIME WITH EVERY SINGLE NORMAL UPKEEP AND MAINTENANCE SERVICE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE RELIABLE AFTER I HAD MY DAUGHTER. IT CURRENTLY HAS 86,850 MILES ON IT, AND WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, THANKFULLY ON BACK ROADS, I FELT THE CAR SHUDDER WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE GEARS SLIPPED SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE ENGINE WOULD ALTERNATE BETWEEN REVVING WHEN I WAS BARELY TOUCHING THE GAS, TO NOT GOING ANYWHERE AT ALL WHEN I HAD THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AND WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD MAJOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES. MY MECHANIC TRIED A FLUSH, WHICH HAD IT WORKING LONG ENOUGH FOR ME TO GET 5 MILES DOWN THE ROAD, WHERE IT COMPLETELY QUIT ACCELERATING AFTER I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. THIS CAR IS IN IMPECCABLE SHAPE OTHERWISE, HAS LESS THAN 90K MILES ON IT, AND IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON IT SHOULD BE NEEDING A COMPLETELY NEW TRANSMISSION.
Power train, Jan 17, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE SHIFTER CABLE BUSHING FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE SHIFTER CABLE BUSHING WAS REPLACED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V471000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Power train, Jan 17, 2020
FAILURE OF THE SHIFT INTERLOCK CABLE. CAR WILL NOT GO INTO PARK OR REVERSE. VEHICLE WAS AT A HOSPITAL PARKING LOT AND MY WIFE THOUGHT IT WAS IN PARK REMOVED THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION, EXITED VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO THE PARKING LOT TRAFFIC. SHE IMMEDIATELY JUMP BACK IN THE CAR AND APPLIED THE FOOT BREAK, PLACED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND TURNED ON FLASHERS.
Power train, Jan 14, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER JIM SHORKEY FORD LOCATED AT 1234 LONG RUN RD. WHITE OAK PA, WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, CASE NUMBER: 2194740). NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,100.
Power train, Jan 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE OFF FROM AN INTERSECTION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GLACIER VALLEY FORD LOCATED AT 1243 SOUTH BLVD, BARABOO, WI 53913, (608) 356-2222 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE AT WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
Power train, Jan 8, 2020
CAR BEGAN TO SHOW HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING ON HIGHWAY ONRAMP. THE NEXT DAY, TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED WHILE AT A DRIVE THROUGH. CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. I THEN SHIFTED INTO PARK AND BACK INTO DRIVE. CAR VIOLENTLY JUMPED AND THEN BEGAN TO CRAWL. WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY MOVE IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET IT HOME. TRANSMISSION AGAIN DISENGAGED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING RPM TO SHOOT UP. WAS ABLE TO PUSH TO PARKING LOT AND GET IT TOWED TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. I HAVE SEEN MANY REPORTS ONLINE OF THIS SAME ACTIVITY AND CARE IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD. MOST OWNERS HAVE JUST PASSED THE 60K MILEAGE MARK THAT THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY COVERS. RIDICULOUS - FORD HAS ALREADY HAD RECALLS FOR OTHER YEAR MODELS OF THE ESCAPE AND FOR OTHER VEHICLES IN THE SAME YEAR FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. THE 2016 ESCAPE NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED IN THESE TRANSMISSION RECALLS!
Structure, Dec 12, 2019
THE TAILGATE IS NOT CLOSING OR OPENING PROPERLY. IT TOOK ME OVER 1.5 HRS TO GET THE DOOR COMPLETELY SHUT. I HAS HAPPENED A FEW OTHER TIMES AND I KNOW AM SCARED TO USE IT. I DON'T WANT TO BE STUCK WITH THE DOOR UNABLE TO SHUT, RESULTING IN MY BATTERY BEING DRAINED & GETTING STUCK SOMEWHERE BECAUSE THE TAILGATE WON'T SHUT. I LOOKED ONLINE AND IT SEEMS I AM NOT AT ALL THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS HAD THIS ISSUE!
Steering, Dec 6, 2019
STEERING MADE CREAKING NOISE. WHEN I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAC AND PINION STEERING HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS 46,000 MILES. THERE HAVE BEEN NEARLY 200 REPORTS OF THIS FAILURE.