My hazard lights start blinking Turn signals start blinking Doors lock and unlock all without warning Have not had checked out at dealer It costs $139.00 per hour to diagnosis BOUGHT CAR 5/25/23 The car had been in accident before I bought it
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
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.
What owners actually said
1,115 reportsTRIED TO REMOVE THE TIRES ON MY 2016 FORD ESCAPE TO ADD BRAKE PADS. THE TIRE TOOL IN CAR WOULD NOT FIT ON ANY OF THE TIRE NUTS. THE TOOL WOULD FIT ON THE JACK CONNECTOR. ALSO TRIED 19MM SOCKET. GOOGLE SEARCH SAID A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I HAD THE FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACE MY TIRES 2 MONTHS AGO AND THEY SAID NOTHI…
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TRIED TO REMOVE THE TIRES ON MY 2016 FORD ESCAPE TO ADD BRAKE PADS. THE TIRE TOOL IN CAR WOULD NOT FIT ON ANY OF THE TIRE NUTS. THE TOOL WOULD FIT ON THE JACK CONNECTOR. ALSO TRIED 19MM SOCKET. GOOGLE SEARCH SAID A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I HAD THE FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACE MY TIRES 2 MONTHS AGO AND THEY SAID NOTHING ABOUT THE SWOLLEN LUG NUTS.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while stopped at a stop light, the contact attempted to accelerate however, the vehicle failed to move. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle with the Transmission Fault warning light illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted th…
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The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while stopped at a stop light, the contact attempted to accelerate however, the vehicle failed to move. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle with the Transmission Fault warning light illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) and that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 86,914.
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
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
I order a nav upgrade from Ford $299, was unable to install it Ford said go to dealer, car was going to dealer for abs sensor bad and vehicle collision sensor bad, dealer fixed other two problems but couldnt upgrade nav and while dealer tried they killed the whole radio/sync/nav/handsfree turn the touch screen black and unrespon…
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I order a nav upgrade from Ford $299, was unable to install it Ford said go to dealer, car was going to dealer for abs sensor bad and vehicle collision sensor bad, dealer fixed other two problems but couldnt upgrade nav and while dealer tried they killed the whole radio/sync/nav/handsfree turn the touch screen black and unresponsive. Now they want $1000 plus for APIM replacement. I could live without the navigation update but now Ford's sync update killed my APIM/sync/radio/handsfree and I cannot live without that.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, while starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming out the exhaust pipe and the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine…
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The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, while starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming out the exhaust pipe and the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine was blown and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 144,000.
I have a 2016 Ford Escape. Left the grocery store and the service engine soon light came on. The car went into safe mode and would only go 10 miles a hour. I was able to get it to the dealership and they told me it was the engine. They are waiting on the part. I was reading all these statements and ford needs to do better. 2 yea…
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I have a 2016 Ford Escape. Left the grocery store and the service engine soon light came on. The car went into safe mode and would only go 10 miles a hour. I was able to get it to the dealership and they told me it was the engine. They are waiting on the part. I was reading all these statements and ford needs to do better. 2 years ago the transmission went. The dealership that put the transmission in did not put all the bolts on when I took it to the dealership they told me the transmission was about to fall out! I wish I could get rid of this vehicle!
My 2016 Ford Escape was in park and when I tried to put it in drive it went backwards almost into the car behind me. Luckily they saw something happening and backed up or I would of hit them. It wouldn't shift into gear. I put it in sport mode to get it to move forward then moved it into a safe location and shut it off. It wa…
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My 2016 Ford Escape was in park and when I tried to put it in drive it went backwards almost into the car behind me. Luckily they saw something happening and backed up or I would of hit them. It wouldn't shift into gear. I put it in sport mode to get it to move forward then moved it into a safe location and shut it off. It was a hot day so I thought maybe it was overheating. It started fine and went about a mile before shuddering and refusing to shift into gear. I managed to get it home but the Transmission Fault Service Now light came on as I was pulling into the driveway. Had it towed to the dealership and was told it wasn't the recall bushing that went but a part inside my transmission and it would be $8200 for a new transmission. What if I had been on the highway when this happened? This is a serious safety issue which could of caused a crash and injury.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the RPMs started to increase however, the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated to approximately 35 MPH. After restarting the vehicle, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the tra…
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The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the RPMs started to increase however, the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated to approximately 35 MPH. After restarting the vehicle, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 74,959.
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.
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