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, Sep 24, 2019
REAR REVERSE CAMERA NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT WILL ALWAYS BLUR AND WILL TURN UPSIDE DOWN WHEN BACKING UP, THUS MAKING IT DANGEROUS FOR ACCIDENT.
Steering, Sep 16, 2019
STEERING ASSIST FAILURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHEN WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. TRIED RESETTING IT LIKE THE MANUAL SAID BUT IT ONLY WORKED FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND CAME ON AGAIN. IT IS VERY HARD TO STEER
Power train, Sep 16, 2019
CAR SAYS IT'S IN REVERSE BUT SHIFTER IS IN PARK. CAR WON'T START.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2019
2 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED MY 2016 FORD ESCAPE, THE RADIO STARTED TO TURN OFF AND ON, THEN RANDOMLY STARTED CHANGING STATIONS ON ITS OWN. ALSO, WHEN THE BLUETOOTH IS IN USE, AFTER ENDING A CALL THE SCREEN WOULD FREEZE. I WOULD THEN NEED TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION TO SORT OF RESET BUT NOW THAT DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE BC THE SCREEN IS BLACK AND THE RADIO ONLY WORKS. THE CAMERAS DO NOT WORK EITHER.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 9, 2019
I HAVE NOTICED THAT AFTER APPLYING NORMAL PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE ABS INDICATOR AND THE HILL ASSIST NOTICE APPEAR. ALSO ANOTHER WARNING LIGHT COMES ON THE DASH BOARD. ALSO, THE SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED 10 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS. EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE WILL TORN ITSELF OFF AFTER APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MINUTES. I NOTICED THAT THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AFTER STOPPING AT A LIGHT. IT MAY COME ON AT OTHER TIMES WHILE I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE, BUT I NOTICE THE LIGHT WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 29, 2019
ENGINE LIGHT INDICATES CANISTER PURGE VALVE IS FAULTY. AFTER RESEARCH I FOUND THESE NEW VALVES CONSTANTLY GO OUT. IN 2009 THE VALVES WERE REDESIGNED. THIS NEW DESIGN IS FAULTY. NEW/NEWER CARS ARE AFFECTED WITH THIS POORLY DESIGNED VALVE.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 12, 2019
SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE DESIGN OF THE WINDSHIELD. I JUST REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD ON JULY 19, 2019, AND HAVE A CRACKED WINDSHIELD AGAIN TODAY, AUGUST 12, 2019. IN MY 30 YEARS OF DRIVING, I'VE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A WINDSHIELD FOR CRACKING AND NOW I'VE DONE IT TWICE IN LESS THAN A MONTH.
Steering, Aug 7, 2019
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. ON JULY 25, I STARTED MY 2016 FORD ESCAPE TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO MANUEVER OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. I TURNED OFF IGNITION, PLACED IN PARK TO EXIT VEHICLE TO INSPECT TIRES, AS I THOUGHT I PERHAPS HAD A FLAT TIRE, AFFECTING THE STEERING. I THEN RESTARTED THE CAR AND ON THE DASH INFORMATION RECEIVED A MESSAGE TO THE EFFECT OF "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". I CHECKED THE OWNER MANUAL AND IT SAID THIS WAS A FAULT OF THE STEERING AND TO TAKE CAR FOR SERVICE. SINCE THE CAR WAS UNMANEUVERABLE AND UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN, I CALLED FOR TOW SERVICE TO TAKE CAR TO DEALER. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE AND INFORMED ME IT WOULD BE A $2200 REPAIR, BUT THAT THEY WOULD CALL FORD TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE. THEY THEN CAME BACK WITH A $1200 QUOTE FOR REPAIR. SINCE I NEEDED VEHICLE, I AGREED AND THE FINAL INVOICE WAS $1000. I ASKED SERVICE MANAGER IF THIS WAS INVOLVING A SAFETY RECALL WITH FORD AND SHE SAID AT THIS TIME IT WAS NOT, BUT TO HOLD ON TO MY RECEIPTS IN CASE FORD MADE ONE. FORD/LINCOLN HAS HAD RECALLS ON OTHER VEHICLES IN THEIR FLEET FROM OTHER YEARS, SO THEY SHOULD BE AWARE THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES.
Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2019
BLANK MULTIPLE FUNCTIONAL DISPLAY (MFD) AND VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND JUST STARTED UP WHEN NOTICED; CANNOT DETERMINE MILEAGE AT THE TIME. AND VEHICLE LOCKED WHEN IF THERE WAS A FOB INSIDE AND MOTOR NOT RUNNING; HAPPENED AUGUST 1, 2019
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2019
WE BOUGHT THE 2016 FORD ESCAPE BRAND NEW. WE'VE OWNED IT ALL 3 YEARS AND IT HAS 80,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION BROKE. I KNOW THERE ARE ISSUES WITH OTHER FORD TRANSMISSIONS SO I'M WONDERING IF THE ISSUE EXTENDS INTO MY VEHICLE.
Power train, Jul 27, 2019
MY ESCAPE HAS EXACTLY 88,000 MILES IN IT . I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING. I WAS DRIVING 50 MPH AND THEN IT DROPPED TO 10MPH JERKING ME HARD. THEN IT REVED UP ON ITS OWN AND STARTED GOING LIKE 60 MPH. I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND IT WAS GOING IN REVERSE THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG I CANNOT BELIEVE I WASN'T IN AN ACCIDENT OR CAUSED ONE. THE JERKING OF THE CAR WAS SO HARD I WAS AFRAID THE AIR BAGS WOULD DEPLOY. MY THREE YEAR OLD FORD IS RECEIVING A NEW TRANSMISSION THAT IS NOT COVERED.
Power train, Jul 24, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, IT CONTINUED TO MOVE EITHER BACKWARDS OR FORWARDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HOMER SKELTON FORD (6950 HANNA COVE, OLIVE BRANCH, MS 38654, (800) 490-7699) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER CABLE BUSH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Power train, Jul 23, 2019
DRIVING AT 55MPH ON A HIGHWAY, CAR SPUTTERED A FEW TIMES THEN SLOWED TO ZERO, WOULD NOT RESPOND TO GAS PEDAL. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD CAR TOWED TO GARAGE AND JUST GOT WORD THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED... IN MY 3 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 70000 MILES. FORD SAYS TOO BAD OUT OF WARRANTY.
Air bags, Jul 23, 2019
TAKATA AIRBAGS ALLEGEDLY RECALLED!
Air bags, Jul 23, 2019
TAKATA AIRBAGS REPORTEDLY HAVE ZAXC HAVE A NEED TO BE REPAIRED.
Electrical system, Jul 18, 2019
FACTORY REMOTE START STOPPED WORKING DUE TO LOW BATTERY. NOW THAT BATTERY IS REPLACED, REMOTE START ONLY LASTS 10 SECONDS BEFORE SHUTTING OFF. ALSO, WHEN CAR IS STARTED MANUALLY, WINDSHIELD WIPES HOP FOR NO APPARENT REASON.
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2019
WHEN SHIFTING MY CAR INTO DRIVE THE DISPLAY ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATED THAT THE CAR WAS IN REVERSE EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS IN DRIVE. WHEN I SHIFTED THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO PARK THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY CONTINUED TO SAY THAT IT WAS IN REVERSE EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS IN PARK. WITH THE GEAR SELECTOR IN PARK I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD AND THE ONLY WAY THAT I COULD STOP IT WAS TO STEP ON THE BRAKES AND THEN PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON TO KEEP THE CAR FROM CONTINUING TO ROLL FORWARD. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK DRIVER TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HE SHOWED THAT THE BUSHINGS THAT CONNECTS THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE WAS BROKEN. MY RESEARCH REVEALED THAT THIS IS SAME SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD HAD WITH PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS OF THE FORD ESCAPE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE RECALLED. IT SEEMS THAT THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE 2016 MODEL YEAR AS WELL, AS I AM EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE FORD ESCAPE 2016 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE THAT OTHER CONSUMERS EXPERIENCED WITH EARLIER MODEL YEAR FORD ESCAPE VEHICLES. THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP THIS CAR FROM ROLLING FORWARD AT ANYTIME EVEN IF THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF IS TO KEEP ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE RECALL INFORMATION FOR THE EARLIER MODEL YEAR FORD ESCAPES IS RECALL NUMBER 18V471000. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE SAFETY ISSUE NOTED IN THIS RECALL IS IDENTICAL TO THE SAFETY ISSUE CONCERNING MY VEHICLE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 12, 2019
DRIVER WAS DRIVING ON DIRT ROAD ON A HOT DAY. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 102 DEGREES OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE BEGIN TO LOSE POWER AND SUDDENLY IT JUST STALLED. THE DRIVER THEN WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN UNTIL IT FINALLY WOULDN'T TURN BACK ON. THIS TIME THE DRIVER WAITED AN ADDITIONAL 20 MINUTES AND FINALLY IT WORKED AGAIN UNTIL THEY MADE IT BACK TO A GAS STATION. THE FUEL LEVEL WAS BARELY UNDER A HALF A TANK. THE VEHICLE TENDS TO SHUT DOWN ON A HOT DAY WHEN FUEL GOES BELOW A HALF A TANK. IT IS CONSISTENT WITH OTHER 2016 FORD ESCAPES.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 12, 2019
THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELLING DOWN RURAL HIGHWAY ON A HOT DAY. IT SHUT DOWN ALMOST IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS 99 DEGREES. THE FUEL LEVEL WAS AT A QUARTER TANK. THE DRIVER THEN LEFT THE VEHICLE OFF ON THE SIDE OFF THE ROAD FOR 10 MINUTES AND WAS ABLE TO TRAVEL ANOTHER 20 MILES BEFORE BREAKING DOWN AGAIN.
Steering, Jul 12, 2019
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH IN MY 2016 FORD ESCAPE. SUDDENLY THE CAR FLASHED "STEERING ASSIST FAULT" AND IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER STEERING. THE STEERIMG WHEEL FELT LIKE IT LOCKED, AND BECAME SUPER DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. WE CAME VERY CLOSE TO HAVING A MAJOR ACCIDENT, AS THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RESPONDING NORMALLY. THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVING COMPLETELY WELL BEFORE THIS. IT HAS JUST 60,000 MILES ON IT. WE ARE WAITING ON THE MECHANIC'S CALL, BUT HE INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS A FAULTY SENSOR AS THE VISUAL INSPECTION DIDN'T TURN UP ANY PROBLEMS. WHAT A DANGEROUS THING TO HAPPEN WITH NO WARNING IN A 2 AND A HALF YEAR OLD CAR.
Steering, Jul 11, 2019
POWER STEERING FAULT MESSAGE POPPED UP WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE AND WE LOST POWER STEERING. WE WERE FORCED TO TAKE THE CAR TO A SHOP 10 HOURS AWAY FROM OUR HOME TO BE REPLACED. WE WILL BE MAKING THE 20 HOUR ROUND TRIP TO GET THE VEHICLE NEXT WEEK AS WE HAS TO RENT A VEHICLE TO GET HOME.
Power train, Jul 10, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MARK LEROSE FORD (LOCATED AT 2764 STATE ST, GASSAWAY, WV 26624, (304) 364-5132) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2019
THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO GEAR WHILE IN A PARKING LOT. THE BUSHING WAS GONE FROM THE SHIFTER CABLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN REVERSE. THE SHIFTER LEVER COULD NOT BE PLACED IN PARK.
Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2019
"TAKATA RECALL". WHEN DRIVING A LOUD SOUND IS HEARD AT THE REAR OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS SOUND GOES ON AND OFF AND THEN THE VEHICLE STARTS TO SHAKE, THE BRAKE GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THEN THERE IS NO WAY YOU CAN CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND EVERYTHING SHUTS DOWN . THIS HAPPENS WHILE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. THIS WAS A SCARY EXPERIENCE. THIS SAME SOUND HAPPEN THREE TIMES BEFORE BUT THE CAR DID NOT SHUT DOWN, THE VEHICLE SHAKE AFTER THE SOUNDS BUT I CONTINUE DRIVING. MY LAST EXPERIENCE WAS FRIGHTENING AND I DON'T THINK THAT THIS VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE WITH THAT SUDDEN STOP I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR END. MY LIFE WAS IN DANGER WITH MY PASSENGER AND ALSO THE TRUCK DRIVER WHO CAME UP BEHIND ME BLOWING BECAUSE HE DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. TO BE IN THAT SITUATION BY SEEING A VEHICLE COMING TOWARDS YOU AND YOUR VEHICLE IS STATIONERY IN THE ROAD AND IN THE END THE PERSON WHO REAR END YOU WOULD BE AT FAULT. THIS KEEP ON HAPPENING AND I THINK THIS IS A DANGER TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS, THE PUBLIC BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE CANNOT BE CONTROLLED WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER THAT INCIDENT
Visibility/wiper, Jun 30, 2019
WINDSHIELD WIPERS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING ON JUNE 20, 2019. CONFIRMED IT WAS NOT A FUSE. IT WAS SUMMER WHILE I WAS AWAY ON VACATION WHEN THIS HAPPENED WHICH IS AN 8 HR DRIVE FROM HOME. WIPERS SPONTANEOUSLY STARTED WORKING LIKE NORMAL AFTER TWO DAYS NOT WORKING. THAT SAME DAY ON JUNE 22, 2019 DURING DRIVE IN 95 DEGREE HEAT ON HIGHWAY IN STAND STILL TRAFFIC ON 8 HOUR DRIVE HOME, WIPERS STARTED TURNING ON AT VARIABLE SPEEDS ON THEIR OWN AND COULD NOT BE SHUT OFF, CHANGED SPEEDS, OR AFFECTED BY ANYTHING WITH THE WIPER SWITCH. THE WIPERS ARE NOT AUTOMATIC OR RAIN SENSING AND IT WAS A CLEAR DAY. WIPERS DID NOT TURN OFF UNTIL TRAFFIC CLEARED, THE CAR WAS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND PRESUMABLY COULD BE COOLED BY THE CAR MOVING. A SLIGHT MELTING SMELL WAS NOTED DURING SPONTANEOUS TURNING ON OF WIPERS. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY CONTROL MODULE AS THE CONNECTION WAS BAD AND AFFECTING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. COST ME $433.47 IN PARTS AND LABOR.