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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.

About this comparison →

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

Power Train complaints

320 reports
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8,000 miles · Oct 31, 2016
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING THE FORD ESCAPE ON A MAIN ROAD TODAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO IDLE VERY ROUGH, THE ORANGE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CAR DECELERATED RAPIDLY AS I WAS GOING UP A SLIGHT HILL. I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT, WHERE I SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THEN TURNED IT BACK …

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WHILE DRIVING THE FORD ESCAPE ON A MAIN ROAD TODAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO IDLE VERY ROUGH, THE ORANGE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CAR DECELERATED RAPIDLY AS I WAS GOING UP A SLIGHT HILL. I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT, WHERE I SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND PROCEEDED HOME. I HAVE CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10920396

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT AN INTERIM SOLUTION WAS TO DRIVE IN THE S GEAR AND, WITHIN A FEW MILES, CHANGE THE GEAR TO DRIVE TO PREVENT THE VIBRATION. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT AN INTERIM SOLUTION WAS TO DRIVE IN THE S GEAR AND, WITHIN A FEW MILES, CHANGE THE GEAR TO DRIVE TO PREVENT THE VIBRATION. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO REPAIR SOLUTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0.

NHTSA ODI #10911300

3,000 miles · Oct 2, 2016
Power Train

WE WENT ON VACATION IN OUR NEW ESCAPE AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP SURGE AND OTHER THINGS THAT CAME CLOSE TO CAUSING 2 ACCIDENTS. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT FORD BEING ALLOWED TO PUT OUT FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS FOR YEARS. MY TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILD WITH ONLY BEING A FEW MONTHS OLD. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABO…

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WE WENT ON VACATION IN OUR NEW ESCAPE AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP SURGE AND OTHER THINGS THAT CAME CLOSE TO CAUSING 2 ACCIDENTS. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT FORD BEING ALLOWED TO PUT OUT FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS FOR YEARS. MY TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILD WITH ONLY BEING A FEW MONTHS OLD. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS.

NHTSA ODI #10911003

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2016
Power Train

ON MAY 6, 2016 WE PURCHASED A 2016 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM 2.0 AWD. ON 6/22/16 I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO A SHUDDERING WHEN THE CAR IS SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND GAS IS APPLIED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF SEYMOUR FORD OF JACKSON , MI, WHO HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL, PERFORMED A REPROGRAM OF THE PCM. ON 8/15/16 I…

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ON MAY 6, 2016 WE PURCHASED A 2016 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM 2.0 AWD. ON 6/22/16 I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO A SHUDDERING WHEN THE CAR IS SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND GAS IS APPLIED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF SEYMOUR FORD OF JACKSON , MI, WHO HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL, PERFORMED A REPROGRAM OF THE PCM. ON 8/15/16 I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN WITH THE SAME SHUDDERING COMPLAINT. SEYMOUR PHONED THE FORD HOT LINE TO ASCERTAIN IF THERE WERE ANY ADDITIONAL RECALLS. SEYMOUR WAS ADVISED BY FORD TO COMPARE LIKE VEHICLES ON THEIR LOT. THEY TESTED A 2015 AND 2017 ESCAPE "BOTH HAD SAME ISSUE" . I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO BE SURE TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND WAIT FOR THE GEAR TO ENGAGE THAN ACCELERATE. I FOUND UNDER COMPLAINTS.COM OTHER OWNERS THROUGHOUT THE US WHO HAVE MADE THE SAME COMPLAINT. ONE HAS EVEN HAD FORD ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THEY ARE WORKING ON IT. I INFORMED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT I UNDERSTAND THEY DID NOT BUILD THE CAR; HOWEVER, IF THIS CONTINUES TO OCCUR I WOULD BE BACK. THEY INFORMED ME THEY WERE THERE FOR ME. THAT SAID IT APPEARS EITHER FORD IS NOT TELLING THEIR DEALERS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND OR THEY ARE TELLING THEIR DEALERS TO STONEWALL. EITHER WAY FORD SHOULD AT LEAST MAKE IT KNOWN TO THE DEALERS AND THE OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THEY ARE WORKING ON A SOLUTION. WE PAID GOOD MONEY FOR THE CAR AND WE ARE RETIRED ON A FIXED INCOME, ALTHOUGH WE ARE UNDER WARRANTY, I DO NOT WANT TO BE CONSTANTLY GOING TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT WITH THE SAME RESULTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10896161

9,400 miles · Aug 1, 2016
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT 35 MPH THEN ENGINE DIED, SERVICE ENGINE NOW LIGHT CAME ON, MESSAGE CENTER SAID CONTACT DEALER. RESTARTED AFTER PUT IN PARK. CHECKED FOR CODES WITH GENERIC SCAN TOOL, OBD2 CODE P2112 IN MEMORY. CONTACTED DEALER PURCHASED FROM FOR SERVICE. WAS TOLD NO CODES, BUT BATTERY HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED, CLOCK WAS R…

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WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT 35 MPH THEN ENGINE DIED, SERVICE ENGINE NOW LIGHT CAME ON, MESSAGE CENTER SAID CONTACT DEALER. RESTARTED AFTER PUT IN PARK. CHECKED FOR CODES WITH GENERIC SCAN TOOL, OBD2 CODE P2112 IN MEMORY. CONTACTED DEALER PURCHASED FROM FOR SERVICE. WAS TOLD NO CODES, BUT BATTERY HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED, CLOCK WAS RESET AND ALL RADIO PRESETS ERASED AND BLUETOOTH ERASED.

NHTSA ODI #10892299

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2016
Power Train

WE HAVE A NEW 2016 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER ABOUT 1,000 MILES NOTICED A SHUDDERING OF THE TRANSMISSION WHEN SHIFTING. IT HAPPENS WHEN WE SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE, PARK TO REVERSE, OR REVERSE TO DRIVE. TOOK TO FORD SERVICE STATION AT ABOUT 3500 MILES AS IT BECAME A REAL CONCERN. TECH COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. CHECKED SOCIAL MEDIA TO SEE…

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WE HAVE A NEW 2016 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER ABOUT 1,000 MILES NOTICED A SHUDDERING OF THE TRANSMISSION WHEN SHIFTING. IT HAPPENS WHEN WE SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE, PARK TO REVERSE, OR REVERSE TO DRIVE. TOOK TO FORD SERVICE STATION AT ABOUT 3500 MILES AS IT BECAME A REAL CONCERN. TECH COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. CHECKED SOCIAL MEDIA TO SEE IF OTHERS WERE HAVING SAME PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE THE ESCAPE BACK TO FORD AS IT APPEARS TO BE A COMPLAINT OF MANY 2016 FORD ESCAPE DRIVERS WITH THESE VEHICLES. THE TRANSMISSION COULD FAIL AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. FORD NEEDS TO BE MADE ACCOUNTABLE AS THEY CONTINUE TO SELL THESE VEHICLES KNOWING THIS PROBLEM EXISTS.

NHTSA ODI #10875721

12,220 miles · Jun 20, 2016
Power Train

TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING FUNNY AROUND 5 MONTHS AFTER GETTING MY ESCAPE. I WOULD PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT WOULD JERK OR NOT GO INTO GEAR A FEW SECONDS. THEN IT STARTED SHUDDERING WHEN I WOULD DRIVE IT. AT FIRST MAYBE A FEW TIMES A DAY. YESTERDAY IT STARTED SHUDDERING AND JERKING ALL DAY. AT ONE POINT I THOUGHT SOMETHING H…

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TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING FUNNY AROUND 5 MONTHS AFTER GETTING MY ESCAPE. I WOULD PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT WOULD JERK OR NOT GO INTO GEAR A FEW SECONDS. THEN IT STARTED SHUDDERING WHEN I WOULD DRIVE IT. AT FIRST MAYBE A FEW TIMES A DAY. YESTERDAY IT STARTED SHUDDERING AND JERKING ALL DAY. AT ONE POINT I THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD HIT ME OR I HAD HIT SOMETHING AS MY CAR LITERALLY WENT FORWARD AND A LOUD CLUNK WAS HEARD FROM BEHIND. SCARED BOTH ME AND MY PASSENGER AS IT FELT LIKE I HAD HIT SOMETHING. I AM REALLY SCARED TO DRIVE THIS THING BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL START JERKING, SHUDDER, ETC. I HAD AN SE 2013 AND HAD NO TROUBLE WITH THE TRANS BUT IT WAS NOT A TITANIUM MODEL, WHICH I BELIEVE IS THE PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID TO PULL OUT OF OUR DRIVE TODAY WHEN I LEAVE FOR WORK AS IT IS VERY BUSY AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS GOING TO STALL, SHUDDER, JERK, WHATEVER. FORD NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON THEIR ESCAPES AT LEAST THE TITANIUM MODELS. THEY HAVE ALL THE COMPUTER STUFF ON THOSE AND ALTHOUGH MINE IS NOT A TOP OF THE LINE TITANIUM, IT IS STILL A TITANIUM. I CAN'T GET THIS CAR IN UNTIL NEXT MONDAY A FULL WEEK AWAY. THE DEALERSHIP (TAYLOR FORD) SAID HIS SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS FULL OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. DOESN'T THAT TELL YOU SOMETHING??

NHTSA ODI #10875283

20,000 miles · Jun 17, 2016
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE CAR SHUTTERED AND FLASHED WARNING LIGHTS, THE POWER WAS DECREASED, THEN SHUTTERED AGAIN AFTER I PULLED OVER AND TURNED IT OFF

NHTSA ODI #10874926

Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2016
Power Train

VEHICLE WILL CHATTER AND VIBRATE WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE MODE TO GO FORWARD, EVEN WHEN TOTALLY STOPPED TO GO FORWARD. BANGS IN WHEN APPLYING GAS LIGHT OR HARD TRYING TO GET OUT OF WAY OF ON APPROACHING TRAFFIC IN STREET AND PARKING SPOTS. BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN JANUARY 2016 STARTED FROM DAY 1 WITH PROBLEM, HAVE NOT TOK…

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VEHICLE WILL CHATTER AND VIBRATE WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE MODE TO GO FORWARD, EVEN WHEN TOTALLY STOPPED TO GO FORWARD. BANGS IN WHEN APPLYING GAS LIGHT OR HARD TRYING TO GET OUT OF WAY OF ON APPROACHING TRAFFIC IN STREET AND PARKING SPOTS. BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN JANUARY 2016 STARTED FROM DAY 1 WITH PROBLEM, HAVE NOT TOKEN TO FORD DEALER YET BUT I DID CALL THEM THEY KNOW OF PROBLEM, SAYS CANNOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY SAY FORD HAS THEIR HANDS TIED UP AND WILL NOT AUTHORIZE TO HAVE IT FIXED THEY ARE AWARE OF PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #10852761

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2015
Power Train

VEHICLE WILL CHATTER AND VIBRATE WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE MODE TO GO FORWARD, EVEN WHEN TOTALLY STOPPED TO GO FORWARD. BANGS IN WHEN APPLYING GAS LIGHT OR HARD TRYING TO GET OUT OF WAY OF ON APPROACHING TRAFFIC IN STREET AND PARKING SPOTS. BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN JULY 2015 STARTED FROM DAY 1WITH PROBLEM, TAKEN IT TO FOR…

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VEHICLE WILL CHATTER AND VIBRATE WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE MODE TO GO FORWARD, EVEN WHEN TOTALLY STOPPED TO GO FORWARD. BANGS IN WHEN APPLYING GAS LIGHT OR HARD TRYING TO GET OUT OF WAY OF ON APPROACHING TRAFFIC IN STREET AND PARKING SPOTS. BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN JULY 2015 STARTED FROM DAY 1WITH PROBLEM, TAKEN IT TO FORD DEALER 3 TIMES THEY KNOW OF PROBLEM, SAYS CANNOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY SAY FORD HAS THEIR HANDS TIED UP AND WILL NOT AUTHORIZE TO HAVE IT FIXED YET. THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10779154

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