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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

What owners actually said

1,115 reports
100,000 miles · Jan 12, 2022
Engine

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving uphill at 35 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently started jerking. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he released the accelerator pedal and the failure stopped. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle; however, the…

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The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving uphill at 35 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently started jerking. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he released the accelerator pedal and the failure stopped. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle; however, the failure reoccurred several times while driving uphill and while passing other vehicles. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that he would be responsible for the cost of the repair because the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the VIN was not included in an unknown engine recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #11447220

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2022
Engine

Car gets stuck in overdrive. I was told by someone it has something to do with the turbo boost

NHTSA ODI #11446538

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2022
Wheels

Had to change the front parking lamp. To do this it was necessary to remove the front wheel. Due to swollen lug nuts I could not remove the tire. Tried the wrench on all remaining nuts and found it would not fit on any of them. It is impossible to change a flat tire. Faulty design/manufacturing. I had to replace all 20 lug…

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Had to change the front parking lamp. To do this it was necessary to remove the front wheel. Due to swollen lug nuts I could not remove the tire. Tried the wrench on all remaining nuts and found it would not fit on any of them. It is impossible to change a flat tire. Faulty design/manufacturing. I had to replace all 20 lug nuts.

NHTSA ODI #11445947

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2021
Engine

Blown head gasket. Class action lawsuit pending against current issue I am having due to setup of motor and allowing water to sit and deteriorate gaskets. Caused vehicle to overheat while driving. Confirmed by mechanic shop.

NHTSA ODI #11444721

Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2021
Air Bags

The airbag icon came on and I did not have an accident. I did not bump into anything. I took it to the dealership and they nothing about it. I also had problems with my transmission. The icon never came on about my transmission. I was driving home and the car stop shifting gears. My vehicle is only 5 years old and it shou…

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The airbag icon came on and I did not have an accident. I did not bump into anything. I took it to the dealership and they nothing about it. I also had problems with my transmission. The icon never came on about my transmission. I was driving home and the car stop shifting gears. My vehicle is only 5 years old and it should not have a transmission problem. I have only taken my car to the dealership. No other person or mechanic has ever worked on my car. Ford is selling cars that are not operable and safe for the consumer. Ford knows about this problem and they want to charge me over $6,000 for transmission fix. This 2016 Ford Escape should be recalled.

NHTSA ODI #11444557

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

My car has 25000.00 miles on it. This started last year. It is a 2016 escape. Runs fine until I put gas in it. The car will not start after I fill up. I thought I was crazy, as that is the only time it does this. Once I get it started it is fine until I fill up again. I look online to see if anyone else had this problem and foun…

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My car has 25000.00 miles on it. This started last year. It is a 2016 escape. Runs fine until I put gas in it. The car will not start after I fill up. I thought I was crazy, as that is the only time it does this. Once I get it started it is fine until I fill up again. I look online to see if anyone else had this problem and found out it is common with this car. I spent 257.00 for new purge valve and it fixed the problem. The car never showed a check engine or code. This is a comon problem and should be recalled!

NHTSA ODI #11442330

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2021
Wheels

During routine oil change, the mechanic informed me that the tires could not be rotated due to swollen lug nuts. In order for other routine maintenance to be performed to ensure the vehicle is in safe operating condition, I had to purchase new lug nuts so the mechanic could complete the maintenance. The mechanic did not have the…

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During routine oil change, the mechanic informed me that the tires could not be rotated due to swollen lug nuts. In order for other routine maintenance to be performed to ensure the vehicle is in safe operating condition, I had to purchase new lug nuts so the mechanic could complete the maintenance. The mechanic did not have the lug nuts available and I had to pay for labor. The reason the mechanic gave for not removing the swollen lug nuts was the lug nuts are likely to break during removal. In the event I have a flat tire, I would either be unable to remove the nuts myself or would drive with possibly damaged lug nuts. Damaged lug nuts could cause undue stress on other lug nuts, leading to breaks. Broken lug nuts mean tires can fly off cars. This seems like a major safety issue that Ford needs to address.

NHTSA ODI #11441619

80,000 miles · Nov 22, 2021
Power Train

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the transmission would not operate in the reverse position. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the shaft lock cable assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact indicated …

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The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the transmission would not operate in the reverse position. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the shaft lock cable assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously repaired for the same failure in 2018. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000

NHTSA ODI #11441351

Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2021
Unknown Or OtherFire

Vehicle caught fire while sitting in my driveway after being driven 30-45 minutes prior. No prior issues with the vehicle. No warning lights or messages while driving vehicle home. Drive home from work was approximately 1 hour drive time. I heard car horn blowing and looked outside to find car engulfed in flames. Local fire dep…

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Vehicle caught fire while sitting in my driveway after being driven 30-45 minutes prior. No prior issues with the vehicle. No warning lights or messages while driving vehicle home. Drive home from work was approximately 1 hour drive time. I heard car horn blowing and looked outside to find car engulfed in flames. Local fire dept and police responded. Claim filed with insurance company who towed vehicle to salvage lot the next day. Car deemed a total loss.

NHTSA ODI #11441350

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2021
Back Over Prevention

Rear view camera doesn't always work when putting the car in reverse. It doesn't go blank, the monitor just remains as if it was going forward. Sometimes when it does work, it remains on while moving forward momentarily.

NHTSA ODI #11441060

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