IllustrationIGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. THE ENGINE DOES NOT TURN ON WHEN IGNITION SWITCH PRESSED. TOOK THE CAR TO FORD DEALER TO FIX AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND STATED THERE IS NO FIX AT THIS TIME. TO GO HOME AND WAIT TO RECEIVE A LETTER ONCE THEY HAVE A FIX TO THE PROBLEM. IN THE MEANTIME, YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN!
2016 Ford Escape
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Ford Escape do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 996.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escape years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
860–25K
7325–50K
13350–75K
14275–100K
141100–150K
37150K+
612 reports with mileage · 503 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 320 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Back Over Prevention. Review the 206 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 199 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
36 crash reports10 fire reports16 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
92 reports2016 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED TO THE MANUFACTURER. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE THE VEHICLE THAT WAS AGREED UPON. BUT, PROVIDED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS NOT CONDUCIVE TO THE CONSUMER'S MEDICAL OR PERSONAL REQUESTS. U…
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2016 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED TO THE MANUFACTURER. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE THE VEHICLE THAT WAS AGREED UPON. BUT, PROVIDED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS NOT CONDUCIVE TO THE CONSUMER'S MEDICAL OR PERSONAL REQUESTS. UPDATED 10/2/2017*JS
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…
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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
I WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY, I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH AN ERROR MESSAGE OF "ENGINE FAULT". ONCE I MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE ENGINE IDLED DOWN TO 400 AND SHUT OFF. I TRIED TO CRANK IT UP AGAIN AND THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STARTED JUMPIN…
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I WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY, I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH AN ERROR MESSAGE OF "ENGINE FAULT". ONCE I MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE ENGINE IDLED DOWN TO 400 AND SHUT OFF. I TRIED TO CRANK IT UP AGAIN AND THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STARTED JUMPING VIOLENTLY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS RECALL 16B32.
WAS DRIVING AND VEHICLE BEGAN SHUDDERING VIOLENTLY AND SERVICE ENGINE NOW CAME ON AND VEHICLE ENGINE DIED. THANK GOODNESS I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY YET AND FOUR PEOPLE HELPED TO PUSH ME OUT OF THE WAY.
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (ROUGHLY 70 MPH) MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY TURNED OFF WITH NO WARNING AND SAID "ENGINE FAULT. SERVICE NOW". BY THE GRACE OF GOD I DID NOT GET REAR ENDED. I SUCCESSFULLY RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND MADE IT HOME. THE SAME THING HAPPENED THE NEXT MORNING, THIS TIME ON CITY STREETS GOING ROUGHLY 20 MPH DURI…
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WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (ROUGHLY 70 MPH) MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY TURNED OFF WITH NO WARNING AND SAID "ENGINE FAULT. SERVICE NOW". BY THE GRACE OF GOD I DID NOT GET REAR ENDED. I SUCCESSFULLY RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND MADE IT HOME. THE SAME THING HAPPENED THE NEXT MORNING, THIS TIME ON CITY STREETS GOING ROUGHLY 20 MPH DURING RUSH HOUR. AGAINST, I WAS BEYOND LUCKY TO HAVE NOT GOTTEN INJURED OR WORSE AND THERE WAS NO WARNING AGAIN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED, THE DASHBOARD VIBRATED AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS AN HOLE FROM WHICH RODENTS ENTERED AND DESTROYED THE FAN. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED, THE DASHBOARD VIBRATED AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS AN HOLE FROM WHICH RODENTS ENTERED AND DESTROYED THE FAN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,900. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. UPDATED 10/13/16*LJ *TR
I PURCHASED A 2016 FORD ESCAPE IN JANUARY 2016 ON 8-2-16 I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR SLOWED DOWN IN TRAFFIC A THEN STOPPED. MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT I MADE IT TO WORK FORD SENT A TOW TRUCK TO MY JOB TO PICK UP ME AND MY TRUCK
TAKATA RECALL. DASHBOARD CLUSTER. ALL DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT NOT WORK. SIGNAL FOR DOOR GAS SEATBELT SPEEDOMETER . THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND DASHBOARD WHEN DEAD.
WE DIDN'T HAVE THE VEHICLE THREE WEEKS AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO NOT STARTING. THEY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK AND COULDN'T FIGURE IT. THEY CLEARED THE CODE, AFTER KEEPING IT FOR WEEK. 6 DAYS LATER IT WAS TOWED FOR THE ISSUES, THEY CURRENTLY STILL HAVE THE VEHICLE AND THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT SURE WHY IT'S H…
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WE DIDN'T HAVE THE VEHICLE THREE WEEKS AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO NOT STARTING. THEY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK AND COULDN'T FIGURE IT. THEY CLEARED THE CODE, AFTER KEEPING IT FOR WEEK. 6 DAYS LATER IT WAS TOWED FOR THE ISSUES, THEY CURRENTLY STILL HAVE THE VEHICLE AND THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT SURE WHY IT'S HAPPENING. THEY CAN'T GET IT TO THROW THE CODES, IT WORKS FINE FOR THEM. BOTH TIME WE WENT OUT TO START THE CAR AFTER IT SITTING IN THE GARAGE OVER NIGHT.
Official recalls
426V011000 · Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater
Jan 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
25V695000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Oct 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
22V413000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
17V398000 · Air Bags:knee Bolster
Jun 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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.