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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

151 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2023
Back Over PreventionUnknown Or Other

Back Over Prevention ( backup camera), started acting up in Feb 2023, shows black screen, flips image, does not come on, (radio is displayed) when it does come on its granny and has black vertical lines, warning beeps stop working when this happens or don't sound off untill your on top of the person or object behing you. Con…

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Back Over Prevention ( backup camera), started acting up in Feb 2023, shows black screen, flips image, does not come on, (radio is displayed) when it does come on its granny and has black vertical lines, warning beeps stop working when this happens or don't sound off untill your on top of the person or object behing you. Contacted 2 Ford dealerships and they tell me other Escapes are on recall just not my year and no replacement camera is available.

NHTSA ODI #11545763

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2023
Unknown Or Other

Code p2111 Dealership said throttle body needs to be replaced. Vehicle has only 67,336 miles. Was driving and the warning on the dash appeared “service engine now.” I lost the ability to accelerate. Coasted out of traffic with what little ability the vehicle had left. Would have caused an accident in heavier traffic. Vehicle wa…

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Code p2111 Dealership said throttle body needs to be replaced. Vehicle has only 67,336 miles. Was driving and the warning on the dash appeared “service engine now.” I lost the ability to accelerate. Coasted out of traffic with what little ability the vehicle had left. Would have caused an accident in heavier traffic. Vehicle was towed to Ford dealership where diagnosed. This same problem occurred on earlier years

NHTSA ODI #11541244

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2023
Unknown Or Other

Backup camera glitches and goes to the radio screen mid-reverse. I’ve nearly hit a tree. This has begun happening frequently. Sometimes the camera won’t even turn on.

NHTSA ODI #11536498

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2023
Unknown Or Other

I know Ford issued a recall for the backup cameras failing on 2020 year models, including the Ford Escape. However, I have consistently had this same issue with my 2016 Escape. In the middle of backing up, the camera will go completely out, and I am not able to see anything behind the car. This is extremely dangerous, as I ha…

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I know Ford issued a recall for the backup cameras failing on 2020 year models, including the Ford Escape. However, I have consistently had this same issue with my 2016 Escape. In the middle of backing up, the camera will go completely out, and I am not able to see anything behind the car. This is extremely dangerous, as I have 4 young grandchildren, not to mention other kids in our neighborhood who ride bikes, etc. This should also be addressed in the Ford recall for backup cameras. This issue occurs every time I drive the car - it works for about 5 - 10 seconds, then stops working. So the date below is just today's date, but it happens almost every day.

NHTSA ODI #11536473

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2023
Unknown Or Other

Car wouldn’t shift properly. Had to drift off to side of road. Could then shut car off and restart but could only go a little bit and problem reoccurred. It was dangerous if other cars were around and not able to get to side of road. Check Transmission came on dash. Car has 68000 miles on this shouldn’t happen. Escape should hav…

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Car wouldn’t shift properly. Had to drift off to side of road. Could then shut car off and restart but could only go a little bit and problem reoccurred. It was dangerous if other cars were around and not able to get to side of road. Check Transmission came on dash. Car has 68000 miles on this shouldn’t happen. Escape should have been recalled like other 2016 transmission problems! Needed to be towed! Dealer says new transmission is needed $7000! This is my 3rd escape and never had this problem. Car isn’t driven hard - pleasure use The consumer stated that this is a known issue with other 2016 Ford Escapes.

NHTSA ODI #11535430

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2023
Unknown Or Other

The lug nuts on all of my tires are swollen beyond the size of the provided tire iron. This makes it impossible to change a flat tire and causes the nuts to become damaged when they tires get balanced and rotated. Two tire technicians have explained that this is common on Ford vehicles. I now have to buy replacements for all …

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The lug nuts on all of my tires are swollen beyond the size of the provided tire iron. This makes it impossible to change a flat tire and causes the nuts to become damaged when they tires get balanced and rotated. Two tire technicians have explained that this is common on Ford vehicles. I now have to buy replacements for all of my tires.

NHTSA ODI #11531660

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2023
Unknown Or Other

My engine light came on today and the code P0299 popped. It’s for the turbo. I’m reading that this happens a lot and they have had to replace the turbo completely

NHTSA ODI #11530029

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2023
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Rear camera dosnt always want to work at times when backing up, there will be times where it comes on and cuts out , or it cuts out and comes back on on all pixelised (distorted) , or it dosnt come on at all , then there are times where it works , ive had my mechanic look into it and couldnt figure out the issue ...i did buy a…

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Rear camera dosnt always want to work at times when backing up, there will be times where it comes on and cuts out , or it cuts out and comes back on on all pixelised (distorted) , or it dosnt come on at all , then there are times where it works , ive had my mechanic look into it and couldnt figure out the issue ...i did buy an oem backup camera from the junkyard off an escape 3 years newer then mine but didnt fix the issue

NHTSA ODI #11529463

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2023
Unknown Or Other

Rear passenger door came open while driving with my granddaughter in vehicle. No warning just flew open while driving. Vehicle is at dealer getting door latch replaced. There were recalls for the exact same problem on several ford escapes but apparently mine is not in that recall. I want this looked into please. As this coul…

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Rear passenger door came open while driving with my granddaughter in vehicle. No warning just flew open while driving. Vehicle is at dealer getting door latch replaced. There were recalls for the exact same problem on several ford escapes but apparently mine is not in that recall. I want this looked into please. As this could have caused injury or death if my granddaughter had not been properly restrained. Do not have any report from dealer as is still in shop being repaired.

NHTSA ODI #11524492

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2023
Unknown Or Other

i had just got done driving for about an hour and stopped for about 5 minutes. i left the car running and came back out to it. when i put it in reverse it wasn’t going so i put it back in park and waited a few minutes. i tried it again and it worked a little bit but it still wasn’t shifting right. i was able to get reversed but …

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i had just got done driving for about an hour and stopped for about 5 minutes. i left the car running and came back out to it. when i put it in reverse it wasn’t going so i put it back in park and waited a few minutes. i tried it again and it worked a little bit but it still wasn’t shifting right. i was able to get reversed but when i shifted to drive and it wouldn’t drive/shift. So i decided to just park it and leave it.

NHTSA ODI #11517221

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.

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