STEERING MADE CREAKING NOISE. WHEN I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAC AND PINION STEERING HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS 46,000 MILES. THERE HAVE BEEN NEARLY 200 REPORTS OF THIS FAILURE.
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BECAUSE THE ENGINE COOLANT INDICATOR WAS DISPLAYED AS LOW. THE MECHANIC FILLED THE COOLANT RESERVOIR AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BECAUSE THE ENGINE COOLANT INDICATOR WAS DISPLAYED AS LOW. THE MECHANIC FILLED THE COOLANT RESERVOIR AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
I BOUGHT IT AROUND AUG 1, 2019 WITH ABOUT 30,000 MI. LESS 2 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT, IT STARTED INTERMITTENTLY GOING TO LIMP MODE, WHERE I CAN'T ACCELERATE PAST ~1500 RPMS. RESTARTING THE CAR USUALLY MAKES IT GO BACK TO NORMAL. THOUGH SOMETIMES I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES, WHICH SOMETIMES TRIGGERS THE CHECK ENGINE L…
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I BOUGHT IT AROUND AUG 1, 2019 WITH ABOUT 30,000 MI. LESS 2 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT, IT STARTED INTERMITTENTLY GOING TO LIMP MODE, WHERE I CAN'T ACCELERATE PAST ~1500 RPMS. RESTARTING THE CAR USUALLY MAKES IT GO BACK TO NORMAL. THOUGH SOMETIMES I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES, WHICH SOMETIMES TRIGGERS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN IT OFF AND WAIT A COUPLE MIN TO MAKE IT GO AWAY. IF I RESTART THE CAR, AND IT IMMEDIATELY GOES BACK TO LIMP MODE, I CAN HEAR/SEE THE RPMS GO ABNORMALLY HIGH FOR SEC THEN GO BACK DOWN. WHEN IN LIMP MODE, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT, AIRBNB WARNING LIGHT, "HILL START ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE" MESSAGE, AND "ENGINE FAULT SERVICE NOW" MESSAGE COME ON. IT USUALLY GOES INTO LIMP MODE AT LOW SPEEDS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WHEN I'M STOPPING AND SOMETIMES WHEN ACCELERATING, ESPECIALLY ON HILLS. THOUGH IT CAME ONCE ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN I WAS JUST SLIGHT BRAKING GOING FROM ~ 70 MPH TO 65 MPH, REQUIRING ME TO DANGEROUSLY PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE AT NIGHT. I TOOK IT TO THE TOOTHMAN FORD DEALER IN GRAFTON, WV WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR, AND THEY THE FOUND CODE P2107 ABOUT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS REPLACED. I HAD THAT DONE 2 TIMES WITH 2 DIFFERENT THROTTLE BODIES BUT THAT DIDN'T FIX IT. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER FOR A 2ND OPINION WHILE IT WAS IN LIMP MODE, AND THEY FOUND A CODE ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY CIRCUITRY/WIRING, BUT THEY CHECKED ALL THE WIRING AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. ALSO, ONCE WHEN I DID A COLD START AFTER MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE RAIN ALL DAY, THE CAR WENT STRAIGHT INTO LIMP MODE AS SOON AS I TURNED IT ON.ALSO, ONE TIME IN LIMP MODE I SMELLED GAS BURNING. I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP TO DIAGNOSE THE ODOR AND WAS TOLD THE GAS WASN'T GETTING TO ALL THE CYLINDERS. RESTARTING THE CAR TEMPORARILY MADE THE PROBLEMS GO AWAY THESE TIMES TOO.
I HAVE A 2016 FORD ESCAPE 4WD. IT IS CONSISTENTLY STALLING WHEN DRIVING. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I PAID $22,000 FOR THE CAR AND IT IS ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD. THE INTERNET HAS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS REPORTING THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2016 FORD ESCAPE. IT IS EXTREMELY DAN…
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I HAVE A 2016 FORD ESCAPE 4WD. IT IS CONSISTENTLY STALLING WHEN DRIVING. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I PAID $22,000 FOR THE CAR AND IT IS ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD. THE INTERNET HAS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS REPORTING THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2016 FORD ESCAPE. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE CAR AS IT STALLS IN INTERSECTIONS WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC. FORD COMPANY IS STATING IF IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THEIR IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ACCEPT AN ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AT MY COST WHICH IS UPWARDS OF $6000. I CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITH THE CAR AND IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE TO DO WHAT THEY ARE SAYING IS THE REPAIR. THEY KNOW THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON AND A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I GUESS THEY HAVE WEIGHED THE COST OF THE RECALL AND DECIDED PEOPLE SHOULD DIE FIRST BEFORE THEY WILL BE FORCED TO DO THE RIGHT THING BY ACKNOWLEDGING AND FIXING THE PROBLEM.
THE HEATED SEAT MECHANISM STOPPED WORKING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. A BURN MARK APPEARED ON THE BACK PORTION OF THE SEAT. ACCORDING TO THE FORD DEALER WHERE IN TOOK THE CAR FOR SEAT REPAIR, THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH CAUSED THE BURN. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE BUT LUCKILY IT WAS NOTICED RIGHT AWAY AND WE TOOK…
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THE HEATED SEAT MECHANISM STOPPED WORKING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. A BURN MARK APPEARED ON THE BACK PORTION OF THE SEAT. ACCORDING TO THE FORD DEALER WHERE IN TOOK THE CAR FOR SEAT REPAIR, THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH CAUSED THE BURN. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE BUT LUCKILY IT WAS NOTICED RIGHT AWAY AND WE TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A COSTLY REPLACEMENT.
I HAVE A 2016 FORD ESCAPE SE AND WENT TO DRIVE 15 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD TO THE STORE. AFTER SHOPPING I RETURNED TO THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. A PERSON NEAR ME OFFERED TO GIVE ME A JUMP. HOWEVER IT WAS WEIRD THE CAR DIDN'T SEEM LIKE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. A LIGHT WAS ALSO FLASHING THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE. HAVE BEEN TOLD N…
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I HAVE A 2016 FORD ESCAPE SE AND WENT TO DRIVE 15 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD TO THE STORE. AFTER SHOPPING I RETURNED TO THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. A PERSON NEAR ME OFFERED TO GIVE ME A JUMP. HOWEVER IT WAS WEIRD THE CAR DIDN'T SEEM LIKE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. A LIGHT WAS ALSO FLASHING THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE. HAVE BEEN TOLD NOW THAT IT IS APART OF THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. THEN I NOTICED THE DASHBOARD SAID NO KEY DETECTED. I DON'T HAVE A PUSH START. I HAVE A KEY THAT GOES IN THE IGNITION. I'M SITTING IN FRONT OF THE STORE WITH A CAR THAT WONT START BECAUSE IT SAYING NO KEY WHEN I HAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I STARTED LOOKING ONLINE AND FOUND THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUES WITH FORD ESCAPE AND THERE WAS NO FIX. THAT MAKES NO SENSE. ITS INSANE THAT AT ANY TIME MY CAR WILL NOT START BECAUSE OF NO KEY DETECTED WHEN I HAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO PAY FOR NEW KEYS AND BATTERIES THAT WON'T EVER SOLVE MY ISSUE. WHAT IS FORD GOING TO DO TO FIX THIS ISSUE? LINKS TO ALL OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SAME ISSUE: HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-C22847_DS900555 HTTPS://WWW.FOCUSFANATICS.COM/THREADS/NO-KEY-DETECTED-FOCUS-SE.580745/ HTTPS://COMMUNITY.CARTALK.COM/T/NO-KEY-DETECTED/109563 HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=R0OSBTBB4TE
I'VE OWNED THE CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS. THE OTHER DAY I WAS AT A STOP SIGN AND WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE MY CAR WOULD MOVE. THE RPM WENT UP BUT NO MOVEMENT. FINALLY IN SLAMMED INTO GEAR SO I COULD MOVE AND PARK. UP UNTIL THIS DAY I HAD NO ISSUES THAT WOULD MAKE ME SUSPECT THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS GOING BAD. SO I HAD IT TOW…
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I'VE OWNED THE CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS. THE OTHER DAY I WAS AT A STOP SIGN AND WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE MY CAR WOULD MOVE. THE RPM WENT UP BUT NO MOVEMENT. FINALLY IN SLAMMED INTO GEAR SO I COULD MOVE AND PARK. UP UNTIL THIS DAY I HAD NO ISSUES THAT WOULD MAKE ME SUSPECT THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS GOING BAD. SO I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I DEFINITELY NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. WHEN MY HUSBAND SPOKE TO THE MAN HE ASKED IF IT WAS COMMON IN THAT VEHICLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION NOT TO LAST. THE MAN TOLD HIM YES THAT IT IS A FAULTY DESIGN ON FORDS PART AND THAT THEY ACTUALLY HAVE ANOTHER ONE AT THERE SHOP FOR THE SAME.PROBLEM. I AM BY NO MEANS HARD IN MY VEHICLE AND I DONT FEEL THAT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SHOULD BE SOMETHING TO WORRY ABOUT IN A VEHICLE THAT IS 3 YEARS OLD.
WHILE DRIVING IN HIGHWAY, CAR BEGAN TO INCREASE ACCELERATION SUDDENLY AND BEGAN TO LOSE SPEED. TRANSMISSION COULD NOT ENGAGE AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. STRANDED IN HIGHWAY. CAR WAS TOWED TO FORD DEALER. MILEAGE WAS 61,700 AND FORD REFUSED COVER UNDER 60K POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT BY DEALER AT A COST OF $3…
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WHILE DRIVING IN HIGHWAY, CAR BEGAN TO INCREASE ACCELERATION SUDDENLY AND BEGAN TO LOSE SPEED. TRANSMISSION COULD NOT ENGAGE AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. STRANDED IN HIGHWAY. CAR WAS TOWED TO FORD DEALER. MILEAGE WAS 61,700 AND FORD REFUSED COVER UNDER 60K POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT BY DEALER AT A COST OF $3,400.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED AND COULD NOT BE SHIFTED OUT OF REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE CAR WAS PLACED IN PARK AND THE DASH SHOWED NEUTRAL. THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED AND THE CAR TURNED ON AND OFF BUT UNABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO ANY GEAR SUCH AS DRIVE OR REVERSE. USING GOOGLE AND A YOUTUBE VIDEO I WAS ABLE TO LOCATE THE OVERRIDE FOR THE SHIFTER AND PUT CAR IN DRIVE AND DRIVE THE ONE MILE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE …
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THE CAR WAS PLACED IN PARK AND THE DASH SHOWED NEUTRAL. THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED AND THE CAR TURNED ON AND OFF BUT UNABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO ANY GEAR SUCH AS DRIVE OR REVERSE. USING GOOGLE AND A YOUTUBE VIDEO I WAS ABLE TO LOCATE THE OVERRIDE FOR THE SHIFTER AND PUT CAR IN DRIVE AND DRIVE THE ONE MILE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED NO REAL ASSISTANCE OR ADVISE ON WHAT TO DO OTHER THAN 'GET THE CAR TO THEM' AND A STATEMENT THAT THE ISSUE SOUNDED 'JUST LIKE A RECALL' - 'BUT THE RECALL IS NOT ON YOUR CAR'. PER THE DEALERSHIP THE SHIFT CABLE BUSHING WAS WORN AND CABLE CAME LOOSE FROM TRANSMISSION. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE EXACT SAME DEFECT AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V362000 HOWEVER MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND I WAS CHARGED $258 FOR REPLACEMENT OF A $6.35 PART THAT IS KNOWN TO BE AN ISSUE. THIS RECALL SHOULD BE REVIEWED AND EXPANDED IF ADDITIONAL VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN TO HAVE YOUR SHIFTER AND TRANSMISSION CEASE COMMUNICATION.
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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