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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

What owners actually said

1,115 reports
177,000 miles · Feb 13, 2021
Steering

WENT TO LEAVE MY HOUSE FOR WORK AND STARTED MY ESCAPE AND HAD NO STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FROZEN STUCK. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM AS I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT FROZEN STEERING WHEELS IN THE ESCAPES AND THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. ONLY TH…

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WENT TO LEAVE MY HOUSE FOR WORK AND STARTED MY ESCAPE AND HAD NO STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FROZEN STUCK. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM AS I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT FROZEN STEERING WHEELS IN THE ESCAPES AND THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. ONLY THING I CAN DO IS START THE CAR AND LET IT WARM UP FOR AN HOUR, OR UNTIL THE STEERING BOX GETS TO 42 DEGREES AND THE STEERING WHEEL WILL UNFREEZE. THEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE STEERING WHEEL TRIES TO LOCK UP AND NOT TURN. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND CORRECTED BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST!!!!!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11396048

65,000 miles · Feb 4, 2021
Electrical System

STARTING BACK IN THE SUMMER OF 2020 MY CAR WOULD NOT START, LIKE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE, ALWAYS STATIONARY. I HAD REPLACED THE BATTERY IN JUL OF 2019. I'VE TAKEN IT TO 3 MECHANICS TESTING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AT $300 AND ALSO TESTING THE BATTERY AT THE OTHER MECHANICS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I …

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STARTING BACK IN THE SUMMER OF 2020 MY CAR WOULD NOT START, LIKE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE, ALWAYS STATIONARY. I HAD REPLACED THE BATTERY IN JUL OF 2019. I'VE TAKEN IT TO 3 MECHANICS TESTING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AT $300 AND ALSO TESTING THE BATTERY AT THE OTHER MECHANICS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THE FOB TALKS TO THE CAR EVEN WHEN IT'S NOT ON OR WHEN THE FOB IS NOT NEAR THE CAR. A COUPLE MONTHS AGO I PURCHASED A TRICKLE CHARGER WHICH I USED FOR A MONTH OR SO UNTIL I STARTED TO PUT THE FOB IN A FARADAY CAGE TO BLOCK THE SIGNAL FROM THE FOB TO THE CAR. THIS SEEMED TO HELP FOR A WHILE UNTIL LAST WEEK WHEN I COULD NOT START MY CAR. AGAIN, ACTING LIKE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. I'VE ALSO PURCHASED A JUMP STARTER WHICH WAS WORKING WHEN THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE IN THE LAST WEEK AS I'VE HAD TO JUMP IT SEVERAL TIMES. I'M REALLY AT A LOSS AS TO WHAT TO DO NEXT OTHER THAN SELL THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11394705

100 miles · Jan 29, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineFireInjury

WHEN PURCHASE 2016 FORD ESCAPE WITHIN A MONTH SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON YOU CAN SMELL COOLANT SOMETINES SMOKE SMELL TOOK VEHICLE IN THEY TOLD IT WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT, FROM 2016 TO 2021 I HAD TO PURCHASE COOLANT OVER TEN TIMES IT WAS ALWAYS LOW THE SMELL CONTINUE TOO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COMES ON STAYS ON HOWEVER TO…

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WHEN PURCHASE 2016 FORD ESCAPE WITHIN A MONTH SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON YOU CAN SMELL COOLANT SOMETINES SMOKE SMELL TOOK VEHICLE IN THEY TOLD IT WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT, FROM 2016 TO 2021 I HAD TO PURCHASE COOLANT OVER TEN TIMES IT WAS ALWAYS LOW THE SMELL CONTINUE TOO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COMES ON STAYS ON HOWEVER TOOK IT IN THREE TIMES WITH THE SAME ANSWER NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT IS FINE. I WROTE LETTERS TO FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS REPORTING ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL CONCERNS THAT NEEDS REPAIRING.-REPORTING MY EYES AND BREATHING WAS AFFECTED WHEN INSIDE THE FORD ESCAPE-SOMETIMES THE ENGINE WOULD TURN OFF THERE WAS ALSO AN ODOR OF SMOKE AND COOLANT THESE ISSUES CONTINUE DAILY. EVIDENTLY FORD DIDN'T CARE BUT IT WAS REPORTED TO THEM. I ALSO WROTE TO YOUR DEPARTMENT HOWEVER I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK THEREFORE I AM DOING THIS ONLINE COMPLAINT, PLEASE NOTE I WANT TO SEND PHOTOS HOWEVER IT WOULD NOT LET ME DOWNLOAD CAN YOU SEND ME YOUR EMAIL TO SEND THIEM TO YOU IITS VERY IMPORTANT EVIDENCE THANK YOU. I

NHTSA ODI #11390603

37,000 miles · Jan 27, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

VEHICLE AT VARIOUS TIMES ACTS AS IF IT IS NOT GETTING FUEL, TENDS TO ALMOST STALL, SEEMS TO BE WHEN MAKING START FROM BEING STOPPED THEN MOVING FORWARD AND SOMETIMES WHEN MAKING LEFT TURN AT LIGHT, OCCASIONALLY ON RIGHT .

NHTSA ODI #11390397

133,000 miles · Jan 23, 2021
Power Train

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I NOTICED I WASN'T ACCELERATING; AS I TRIED TO PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SPEED UP. I PULLED OFF THE TO A SIDE ROAD, STOPPED THE CAR, PUT IT IN PARK AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE AND HAD NO CHANGE IN ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. I TRIED TURNING IT OFF AND BACK …

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AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I NOTICED I WASN'T ACCELERATING; AS I TRIED TO PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SPEED UP. I PULLED OFF THE TO A SIDE ROAD, STOPPED THE CAR, PUT IT IN PARK AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE AND HAD NO CHANGE IN ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. I TRIED TURNING IT OFF AND BACK ON. AS I THEN TRIED TO GET THE CAR BACK HOME (THANKFULLY I WASN'T FAR) I HAD TO PUT IT IN LOW GEAR AND COULD ONLY GO 10-15 MPH. THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE LIGHT CAME UP AT THIS POINT. AFTER TRYING TO LET THE VEHICLE COOL DOWN, THERE WAS NO CHANGE. I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT A TRANSMISSION SHOP; COSTING $4,100; THE TRANSMISSION MECHANIC COULDN'T TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT WENT WRONG OTHER THAN IT HAD OVERHEATED IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THERE WAS A LOT OF INTERNAL DAMAGE. I AM STILL STRUGGLING WITH ISSUES WITH ACCELERATING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD. THE VEHICLE IS SLUGGISH AND SHIFTS VERY HARD WHEN IT IS COLD. THE MECHANIC IS LOOKING INTO IT AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11389606

49,000 miles · Jan 4, 2021
Structure

I WAS DRIVING AND TURNED A CORNER ON A LOCAL ROAD AND MY REAR LEFT DOOR SWUNG OPEN. THERE HAD BEEN NO INDICATION IT WASN'T CLOSED. THEN, AFTER STOPPING, I TRIED TO CLOSE IT AND IT WOULDN'T LATCH--IT JUST BOUNCED BACK OPEN. THE FOLLOWING LINK IS VIDEO SOMEONE ELSE POSTED THAT SHOWS THE EXACT ISSUE I HAD: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/W…

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I WAS DRIVING AND TURNED A CORNER ON A LOCAL ROAD AND MY REAR LEFT DOOR SWUNG OPEN. THERE HAD BEEN NO INDICATION IT WASN'T CLOSED. THEN, AFTER STOPPING, I TRIED TO CLOSE IT AND IT WOULDN'T LATCH--IT JUST BOUNCED BACK OPEN. THE FOLLOWING LINK IS VIDEO SOMEONE ELSE POSTED THAT SHOWS THE EXACT ISSUE I HAD: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=_EIOZPH8_XG IT'S A DIFFERENT MAKE AND MODEL FROM FORD, BUT THE ISSUE IS IDENTICAL TO WHAT I AM DEALING WITH NOW.

NHTSA ODI #11386450

86,000 miles · Dec 19, 2020
Electrical SystemPower Train

THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE WAS SLIGHTLY OVER 86, 000 MILES. THAT SHOULD NOT BE A THING. WE HAVE ALSO HAD CONSTANT ISSUES WITH THE RADIO/DISPLAY INCLUDING TOTAL FAILURE AND REAR CAMERA NOT SHOWING.

NHTSA ODI #11384168

89,000 miles · Dec 4, 2020
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN OUT OF NOWHERE I COULDN'T ACCELERATE ANYMORE IT WAS ALMOST LIKE I WAS STUCK IN NEUTRAL BUT I WAS CLEARLY IN DRIVE. I BEGAN HAVING OTHER DRIVERS HONK AT ME AND TRYING TO PASS ME, I HAD MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WITH ME, IT WAS REALLY SCARY. I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN …

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN OUT OF NOWHERE I COULDN'T ACCELERATE ANYMORE IT WAS ALMOST LIKE I WAS STUCK IN NEUTRAL BUT I WAS CLEARLY IN DRIVE. I BEGAN HAVING OTHER DRIVERS HONK AT ME AND TRYING TO PASS ME, I HAD MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WITH ME, IT WAS REALLY SCARY. I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN IN A ACCIDENT. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, TURNED MY HAZARDS ON, AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE MECHANIC SAID MY TRANSMISSION WAS DONE AND I NEEDED A NEW ONE, HE ALSO SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD ESCAPES. I REPAIRED IT IT COST 5600$. THE PART THAT BOTHERED ME MOST WAS WHEN I CONTACTED FORD THEY DIDN'T CARE ONE BIT. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART AND MAKE IT RIGHT AND STAND BEHIND THEIR NAME, BECAUSE I GUARANTEE THEY ARE FULLY AWARE OF THIS HAPPENING AND YET FAIL TO RECALL IT AND FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI #11377885

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2020
Power Train

MY VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A FAINT WHISTLING / WINDING SOUND WHEN BEING DRIVEN. THEN MY CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE ANY MORE WHILE IT WAS IN THE DRIVE POSITION . THE RPM NEEDLE KEPT JUMPING AS IF IT WAS BEING DRIVEN. I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR WOULD NOT GO. I STOPPED , STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVEWAY. …

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MY VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A FAINT WHISTLING / WINDING SOUND WHEN BEING DRIVEN. THEN MY CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE ANY MORE WHILE IT WAS IN THE DRIVE POSITION . THE RPM NEEDLE KEPT JUMPING AS IF IT WAS BEING DRIVEN. I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR WOULD NOT GO. I STOPPED , STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVEWAY. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, WAITED FOR A MIN OR 2 THEN TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, AFTER THAT THE CAR FINALLY SHIFT INTO GEAR, AND I WAS ABLE TO PARK MY CAR. THE LIGHT FINALLY CAME ON SAYING TRANMISSIONS FAILURE SERVICE NOW OR SOMETHING TO THAT AFFECT. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO FORD SEEING HOW I WAS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, FINALLY AFTER A MONTH , GOT MY CAR BACK. THEY DIDN'T REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION JUST PARTS OF IT FROM WHAT I WAS TOLD -MANS A HOSE FOR MY HEATER. NOW A FEW WEEKS LATER, MY CAR IS MAKING THE SAME NOISE.

NHTSA ODI #11377808

102,005 miles · Dec 2, 2020
Engine

I OWN A 2016 FORD ESCAPE, WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MILES AN HOUR, IT DOWNSHIFTED AND LOST POWER, I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO MY DRIVEWAY, WHERE I PARKED IT. IT SHIFTED OUT OF PARK TO REVERSE, AND ROLLED BACKWARD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, THANK GOODNESS. I HAD TO TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. IT NEEDS TO HAVE A TOTAL TRANSMISSION REPLA…

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I OWN A 2016 FORD ESCAPE, WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MILES AN HOUR, IT DOWNSHIFTED AND LOST POWER, I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO MY DRIVEWAY, WHERE I PARKED IT. IT SHIFTED OUT OF PARK TO REVERSE, AND ROLLED BACKWARD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, THANK GOODNESS. I HAD TO TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. IT NEEDS TO HAVE A TOTAL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. I HAVE READ OF MORE THAN 15 CASES ON THIS FORUM THAT ARE THE SAME AS MINE. I BELIEVE A RECALL NEEDS TO HAPPEN . I REACHED OUT TO FORD, THEY WILL NOT HELP ON REPLACEMENT COST OF 5000.00 REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #11377562

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