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.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 28, 2017
CAR SUDDENLY STARTED SHUDDERING AT 45 MPH, LOST ALL POWER, SERVICE ENGINE NOW LIGHT ON, CAR WAS NO RESPONDING TO ANY ACTIONS .
Engine, Aug 21, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTACT THE LOCAL DEALER DUE TO AN ONGOING STRIKE AT THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,592.
Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2017
DRIVING THIS RENTAL CAR IN ALASKA. ONE DAY PUT ON THE HEATER AND DRIVER DEVELOPED SEVERE HEADACHE, AND PASSENGER FELT VERY SLEEPY. WINDOWS OPENED, BOTH FELT BETTER, AND HEATER TURNED OFF AND NEVER USED AGAIN. NO PROBLEMS AFTERWARD.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Aug 10, 2017
CONSTANT SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE BRAKES. THIS PROBLEM WAS ADDRESS TO THE FORD MOTOR PEOPLE. THE CAR TAKEN IN SEVERAL TIME FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM...
Power train, Jul 29, 2017
WHEN SHIFTING FROM EITHER REVERSE TO DRIVE BACKING ONTO A BUSY STATE ROAD JUST OVER A HILL, OR DRIVE TO REVERSE THE CAR SHUTTERS AND STRUGGLES TO POWER FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. AS WELL AS THE RADIO BUTTONS DO NOT WORK 80 PERCENT OF THE TIME, YOU HAVE TO USE THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS TO OPERATE THE RADIO. HORRIBLE WE BOUGHT THE ESCAPE NEW WITH 127 MILES ON IT AND STILL TO THIS DAY HAVEN'T GOTTEN A RECALL ABOUT ANY ISSUES OTHER THAN THE AIRBAG ISSUE. OUR 36 THOUSAND MILE WARRANTY IS ALMOST UP AND DON'T WANT TO GET SLAMMED WITH A BILL FOR TRANSMISSION 200 MILES AFTER THE WARRANTY IS UP.
Wheels, Jul 17, 2017
CONTINENTAL CONTIPROCONTACT TIRES, 235/55R17. CAR CURRENTLY HAS 18,800 MILES OF NORMAL DRIVING AT CONSERVATIVE SPEEDS. TIRE TREAD DEPTH IS NOW 5/32'. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A TIRE RATED AT 60K MILES. FOR NEW CAR PURCHASES, CONTINENTAL HAS NO TREAD WEAR REPLACEMENT POLICY. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND UNACCEPTABLE. IF PURCHASED FOR AFTER-MARKET USE, IT WOULD BE COVERED FOR A PRO-RATA REPLACEMENT. WHY ARE THESE TIRES WEARING OUT SO QUICKLY? CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM ON MY END WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND HAVING CONTINENTAL CONTIPROCONTACT TIRES ON THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE.
Steering, Jul 4, 2017
2016 FORD ESCAPE WITH 5770 MILES. STARTED CAR AND HAD STEERING ASSIST FAULT. NO POWER STEERING. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE STEERING UNIT DUE TO A STEERING CONTROL UNIT FAILURE. IF IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AS IT WAS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. REPAIR COVERED BY WARRANTY. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME OF FAILURE.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 18, 2017
CAR WENT TO VERY SLOW SPEED FROM 45 TO ABOUT 2 MPH IN A FEW SECONDS. ON SIDE OF ROAD ENGINE WOULD NOT SPEED UP ALL. TURNED ENGINE OFF/ON TWICE NO HELP. TURNED ENGINE OFF THIRD TIME. CAR STARTED OK THIRD TIME AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME OK. I READ ERROR CODE OUT. ITS P2111 THIS ERROR IS A COMMON ERROR ON CERTAIN FORDS FROM 2009 ON. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED SOON! WHEN YOUR ENGINE QUITS WITH THIS ERROR YOU HAVE VERY POOR POWER STEERING CONTROL,ETC. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS PROBLEM. CAR WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THIS EVENT OCCURRED.
Air bags, May 23, 2017, crash
VEHICLE IN MOTION TRAVELING ROUGHLY 50MPH, ON RT. 9 IN NORTH BERWICK MAINE. 100 FT AHEAD A SEPARATE VEHICLE PULLED OUT ACROSS TRAFFIC. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID IMPACT. IMPACT AREA WAS THE FRONT NOSE, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. ASSUMING BUT UNSURE OF SPEED AT POINT OF IMPACT, MY SEAT BELT WAS ON. THIS IS A COMPANY OWNED FLEET VEHICLE, I AM ONE OWNERS OF THE COMPANY.
Engine, Apr 8, 2017
LOSING ENGINE COOLANT.
Power train, Apr 4, 2017
3 DAYS IN A ROW, 4/1 - 4/3, I WOULD ENGAGE THE GEAR SHIFT AND THE WHEELS WOULD NOT MOVE. WOULD NOT MOVE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD WAKE UP AND DRIVE NORMALLY.
Steering, Apr 3, 2017
POWER STEERING GEAR FAILED CAUSING CAR TO LOOSE POWER STEERING. CAR WAS BEING BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. PULLED THE CAR OVER. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WAITED 2 MINUTES. TURNED CAR BACK ON AND POWER STEERING WAS BACK ON. DROVE TO DEALER WITHOUT ANY FURTHER ISSUE. THEY REPLACED STEERING GEAR.
Wheels, Mar 31, 2017
CONTINUAL GROWLING IN DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. WOULD GROWL LOUDER AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. HAD IT INSPECTED TODAY AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY CONFIRMED A NON-SERVICEABLE WHEEL BEARING ISSUE IN THE REAR WHEEL. CAR HAS 29,756 MILES AND STARTED AROUND 24000 MILES. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW.
Structure, Mar 23, 2017
THE LIFTGATE GOES DOWN ON ITS OWN. THE KEY FOB WAS NOT IN MY HAND NOR IN MY POCKET. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE THE FOOT WAVING OPTION TO OPEN OR CLOSE THE LIFTGATE. I HAVE BEEN HIT ON THE HEAD AND AM CONSIDERING A DOCTOR VISIT.
Structure, Mar 15, 2017
VEHICLE STATISTICS: STATIONARY, NOT IN MOTION, IN PARKING LOT. FAULT/PROBLEM: UNANTICIPATED, UNINTENTIONAL, ERRATIC AND ERRANT CLOSURE OF AUTOMATIC LIFTGATE. CAUSE OF SAFETY RISK: POORLY POSITIONED/CALIBRATED SENSOR WHICH TRIGGERS AUTOMATIC CLOSURE OF REAR LIFTGATE IN SPITE OF FOLLOWING OWNERS MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS. THIS FEATURE IS ONLY SUPPOSED TO BE ACTIVATED WHEN MAKING A FORWARD AND BACK KICKING MOTION OF THE FOOT UNDER THE REAR BUMPER. SUMMARY: WAS LOADING GROCERIES INTO BACK OF VEHICLE AT LOCAL WAL-MART EVENING OF 03/14/17 APPROX. 6:30 P.M. CST. I HAD LEANED OVER PLACING BAGS INTO CARGO AREA OF VEHICLE, FEET WERE TOGETHER ON GROUND BEHIND REAR BUMPER, I STRAIGHTENED AND SMASHED MY HEAD INTO THE METAL FLAT EDGE OF THE LIFTGATE WHICH WAS COMING DOWN ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT ME PRESSING BUTTONS OR MAKING GESTURE TO INITIATE AUTOCLOSE FEATURE. AUDIBLE NOTICE OF CLOSURE WASN'T HEARD DUE TO AMBIENT NOISE - WIND, ETC (THE NOTICE NOISE IS EXTREMELY QUIET). I HIT THE TAILGATE HARD ENOUGH THAT I NEARLY KNOCKED MYSELF OUT, AND MY WIFE WHO HAD ALREADY GOTTEN INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT FELT THE VEHICLE MOVE AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM MY HEAD MAKING CONTACT WITH THE LIFTGATE. I COLLECTED MYSELF, FINISHED LOADING THE GROCERIES AND WENT HOME. PAIN IN MY HEAD INCREASED, NECK PAIN PRESENTED AND INCREASED IN INTENSITY, NAUSEA AND SENSITIVITY TO LIGHT. WIFE RECOMMENDED AND TRANSPORTED ME TO ER. ER VISIT INITIATED APPROXIMATELY 8:30 P.M. AT TIME OF TRIAGE, I WAS DRY HEAVING AND WAS GIVEN AN ANTI-NAUSEA MEDICATION. THE ER DOCTOR ORDERED A CT OF MY HEAD BASED ON SYMPTOMS PRESENT WHICH CAME BACK OK, BUT IT WAS DETERMINED I RECEIVED A CONCUSSION AND WAS PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS APPROPRIATELY. HEADACHE AND NECK PAIN/STIFFNESS ARE PERSISTENT TODAY 03/15/16. WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN AS INSTRUCTED WITHIN 48-72 HOURS. BEFORE MAKING THIS INFO PUBLIC, PLEASE REMOVE ATTACHMENT.
Steering, Mar 8, 2017
IN JULY,, 2016 THE "STEERING ASSIST FAULT" SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN WHEEL. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED WHERE THEY FOUND A "FAULTY STEERING RACK" THAT, I ASSUME WAS REPAIRED. TODAY, MARCH 8, 2017 I WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE IN TOWN AND THE "STEERING ASSIST FAULT" SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. IT WAS, AGAIN, TOWED TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP. LUCKILY, BOTH TIMES I WAS NOT IN TRAFFIC BUT ON A SIDE STREET. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE ON A HIGHWAY OR A MAJOR ROAD THINGS MAY HAVE TURNED OUT DIFFERENTLY AND COULD HAVE BEEN LIFE-THREATENING.
Other or unspecified, Mar 6, 2017
THE BACK HATCH CAN BE FOOT ACTIVATED, BUT ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, SUCH AS SITTING ON THE BACK BUMPER AND PUTTING ON GOLF SHOES, I'VE ACCIDENTALLY SLIPPED A FOOT BACKWARDS WHILE BENDING OVER, WHICH HAS ACTIVATED THE HATCH TO CLOSE, AND IT'S CLOSED ON MY HEAD SEVERAL TIMES. ALSO, WITH THE BACK SEATS FOLDED DOWN, AND TRYING TO PUSH SOMETHING AS FAR FORWARD AS POSSIBLE, MY FOOT WOULD SLIP UNDER THE CAR ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE DOOR, CLOSING ON ME. IT'S ALSO HAPPENED WHILE UNLOADING GROCERIES IF MY FOOT GETS TOO CLOSE TO THE BUMPER. I'VE HAD THE BACK HATCH HIT MY HEAD WELL OVER A DOZEN TIMES SINCE I LEASED THIS VEHICLE. AT ALL TIMES THE CAR WAS PARKED, AND NOT TURNED ON. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THIS FEATURE (FOOT ACTIVATION ONLY) COULD BE DEACTIVATED, BUT THEY TELL ME IT CANNOT BE. SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT BY THE HATCH CLOSING ON THEIR HEAD.
Tires, Mar 6, 2017
MICHELIN GREEN X 55R17 ALL FOUR TIRES HAD THE BELTS SEPARATE FROM THE RUBBER AT LESS THAN 34,000 MILES. NO CRASH AS IT WAS CAUGHT IN TIME BUT VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. DOT NUMBER IS NOT ENTIRELY LEGIBLE BUT LOOKS LIKE X3 JJ 0J0X 2115. PURCHASE NEW ON A 2016 FORD ESCAPE.
Power train, Feb 26, 2017
SOMETIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHIFTING IT HESITATES AND OTHER TIMES IT SHIFTS HARD LIKE IT FEELS LIKE IT'S GONNA BREAK I GUESS YOU CAN SAY IT CLUNKS OR JERK'S YOU IN YOUR SEAT A BIT I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ON 2/20/17 TODAY IS 2/26/17 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WHEN THE VEHICLE KINDA THREW HER BACK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING THREW THE GEARS THIS VEHICLE IS A CERTIFIED PRE OWNED THIS HAPPENS IN TOWN OR ON THE INTERSTATE I WILL BE CONTACTING MY DEALERSHIP ON 2/27/17 TO LET THEM NO WHAT IS GOING ON
Wheels, Feb 24, 2017
WE ONLY HAVE 16000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND TWO TIRES ARE AT 5/32 TREAD DEPTH. FORD SAYS THE WILL NOT WARRANTY THEM UNTIL 3/32. THIS CREATES A HAZARD FOR US AS WE LIVE IN A SNOW BELT OF THE U.P. MICHIGAN. THIS TREAD DEPTH IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR TRACTION ON SNOW AND ICE.
Steering, Feb 13, 2017
VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A FULL STOP ON PAVED HIGHWAY. VEHICLE ALSO PULLS TO RIGHT DURING LOWER GEAR SHIFTS UNDER MODERATE ACCELERATION ON PAVED HIGHWAY.
Visibility, Feb 7, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED UPWARDS AND MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE GLASS SHATTERED AND THE PIECES FELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DID NOT DO ANYTHING, BUT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNUSUAL. THE DEALER SPECULATED THAT SOMETHING MAY HAVE HIT THE ROOF TO CAUSE THE EXPLOSION; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DISAGREED. THE MANUFACTURER GAVE THE CONTACT A CASE NUMBER AND PROMISED TO CALL THE CONTACT BACK. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER'S, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,592. UPDATED 05/10/17*LJ *CN
Wheels, Feb 5, 2017
GOT A CERTIFIED PREOWNED 2016 AWD FORD ESCAPE WITH ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER JACK AND LUG WRENCH. GOT A FLAT ON DRIVING ON A WELL MAINTAINED GRAVEL ROAD GOING 20 MPH. THERE WAS LESS THEN 2000 MILES ON THE NEW KELLY AS 235/55 R17 WHEELS (NO ROAD HAZARD! JUST GRAVEL). TMPS SYSTEM WORKED, PULLED OVER RIGHT AWAY AND WATCHED THE TIRE DEFLATE IN FRONT OF MY EYES! GOT JACK AND DONUT OUT. LUG WRENCH DOES NOT FIT LUG NUTS. COULDN'T CHANGE THE TIRE W/O ASSISTANCE. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED ON 2014 VEHICLES SO FORD IS AWARE. BE CAREFUL AND CHECK BEFORE YOU ALSO GET TRAPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I AM NOT SURE IF THE PROBLEM IS THE WRENCH OR THE NUTS...BUT PLAN ON WORKING THE PROBLEM OUT WITH THE DEALER!
Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Jan 20, 2017
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND THE AWD AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON AND I GET A MESSAGE THAT THEY ARE DISABLED AND/OR INACTIVE. I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY GET A CODE. THEY RESET IT AND IT FITS NOT GO BACK ON. OK. A WEEK LATER I'M BACK IN WITH THE SAME WARNING, PLUS I LOST HILL ASSISTANCE. THEY GET THE SAME CODE AND WANT MY VEHICLE TO TRY AND MAKE IT HAPPEN AGAIN, WHY!? THEY PUT 800+MILES ON MY CAT AND SAID NOTHING HAPPEN. YET NOT EVEN TWO DAYS AND I GOT THE AWD AND HILL ASSISTANCE WARNING AGAIN!!! AT THE TIME THESE SENSORS WENT, I WAS ONLY DOING AROUND 5-10 MPH. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jan 16, 2017
WHILE DRIVING AROUND 40MPH, VEHICLE CUT OFF AND DISPLAYED A MESSAGE: TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK. AFTER PULLING OVER AND RESTARTING VEHICLE, THE VOLUME ON RADIO MOVED UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN WHILE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARKED POSITION. LATER THAT DAY VEHICLE CUT OFF WITHIN 30 SECONDS OF USING REMOTE STARTER. DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM OR FIND ANY DIAGNOSTIC CODES. *TR