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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

56 reports
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95,000 miles · Sep 16, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the coolant level was low every week and that coolant had to be added frequently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and he stated that there was leak in the water pump and that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer fo…

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The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the coolant level was low every week and that coolant had to be added frequently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and he stated that there was leak in the water pump and that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnosis, and they stated that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #11484810

56,538 miles · Jul 28, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced rough starting. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the engine coolant was very low. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that coolant was present inside engine cylinders #3 and #4. Addit…

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The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced rough starting. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the engine coolant was very low. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that coolant was present inside engine cylinders #3 and #4. Additionally, the head gasket was blown. The engine gasket was replaced however, later the failure recurred. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 56,538.

NHTSA ODI #11476380

102,000 miles · Jun 15, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated upon retrieving the vehicle from the dealer after a taillight replacement, the check engine warning light illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the turbo had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then tak…

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The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated upon retrieving the vehicle from the dealer after a taillight replacement, the check engine warning light illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the turbo had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who provided the same diagnostic result. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

NHTSA ODI #11469365

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling

FORD 04/29/22: Brought my 2016 Ford Escape Titanium to dealership in Bremerton, WA when engine light was on and engine began shuddering on a cold start. Mechanic found P034 for a #4 engine miss. Removed #4 plug & found some buildup on coil boot. Replaced plugs &#4 coil boot. Installed SP550 spark plug, CB5Z 124402 A boot, igni…

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FORD 04/29/22: Brought my 2016 Ford Escape Titanium to dealership in Bremerton, WA when engine light was on and engine began shuddering on a cold start. Mechanic found P034 for a #4 engine miss. Removed #4 plug & found some buildup on coil boot. Replaced plugs &#4 coil boot. Installed SP550 spark plug, CB5Z 124402 A boot, ignition wire prot, replaced spark plugs and 2 worn coil boots. Completed fuel induction service & installed 201 fuel injection cleaner. Total: $1,097.31 05/13/22: Return to dealership to report engine light on again & intermittent shudder on cold start. Mechanic found P304 present. Passed relative compression test. After cold starting vehicle for a few days, mechanic verified reported concern. Pressure tested cooling system, removed #4 spark plug. Using bore scope, found coolant seeping into cylinder. Recommended engine replacement due to coolant intrusion into cylinder. Dealership submitting to Ford for good will. Awaiting response. Mileage: 51,158 Service manager informed me my car was “safe to drive”

NHTSA ODI #11466637

61,000 miles · Apr 6, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 5 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vehicle was misfiring. Additionally, the independent mechanic diagnosed that cylinder #2 and the spark plugs needed to be rep…

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The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 5 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vehicle was misfiring. Additionally, the independent mechanic diagnosed that cylinder #2 and the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where cylinder #2 was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that coolant was leaking into cylinder #2 and the engine needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic informed the contact that it was a manufactured defect. The vehicle was being taken to a third independent mechanic for engine replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they were aware of the failure; however, they could not assist as the VIN was not included in a recall regarding the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

NHTSA ODI #11459822

96,000 miles · Nov 16, 2021
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle was difficult to start up. The vehicle was eventually restarted but after stopping at a traffic light the vehicle was there was an abnormal vibration coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illumin…

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The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle was difficult to start up. The vehicle was eventually restarted but after stopping at a traffic light the vehicle was there was an abnormal vibration coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the canister purge valve was stuck in the open position. The contact was informed that the valve lining needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

NHTSA ODI #11440686

Official recalls

4

26V011000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Ford Escape problems