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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
138,240 miles · Nov 18, 2019
Power Train

GOT IN MY CAR STARTED IT UP AND PUT IT IN DRIVE. INSTEAD OF GOING FORWARD THE CAR WENT IN REVERSE. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT IS IN PARK THE CAR IS IN NEUTRAL. I HAD TO PUT THE PARKING BAKE ON TO KEEP FROM ROLLING.

NHTSA ODI #11280889

74,887 miles · Nov 18, 2019
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND PROPERLY. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND PROPERLY. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CHAMPION FORD EDINBORO (LOCATED AT 11941 EDINBORO RD, EDINBORO, PA 16412, 888-787-8756) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO THE MILEAGE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,887. *DT VIN PROVIDED HAS NO DISPLAYABLE RECORDS IN CARFAX. *JB

NHTSA ODI #11280726

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2019
Steering

WAS DRIVING 55MPH IN CORNER MY 2016 FORD ESCAPE AND STEERING ASSIST FAILURE CAME UP ON DASH AND I LOST ALL POWER STEERING TO THE CAR AND ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT

NHTSA ODI #11280644

84,000 miles · Nov 13, 2019
Power Train

AT 84,000 MILES, MY CAR STARTED JERKING AND HESITATING AS IT WAS TRYING TO GO INTO 2ND AND THIRD GEAR...THEN THE REVERSE WOULDN'T WORK AT ALL. THANKFULLY, I WAS ALMOST HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AS THE CAR BECAME UNDRIVABLE. I WOULD HIT THE GAS AND IT WOULDN'T GO ANYWHERE....I HAVE IT AT A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THIS IS COMMON…

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AT 84,000 MILES, MY CAR STARTED JERKING AND HESITATING AS IT WAS TRYING TO GO INTO 2ND AND THIRD GEAR...THEN THE REVERSE WOULDN'T WORK AT ALL. THANKFULLY, I WAS ALMOST HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AS THE CAR BECAME UNDRIVABLE. I WOULD HIT THE GAS AND IT WOULDN'T GO ANYWHERE....I HAVE IT AT A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THIS IS COMMON ISSUE WITH FORD ESCAPES AND THEY ARE SURPRISED THAT FORD HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AT THE COST OF $5,500. I AM NOT COVERED AS THE POWERTRAIN IS ONLY COVERED UP UNTIL 60,000 MILES. I AM SO DISGUSTED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND I HAVE TO PAY SO MUCH MONEY. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I CAN AFFORD, BUT I HAVE TO CHOICE BUT TO GO INTO DEBT.

NHTSA ODI #11279859

85,000 miles · Nov 12, 2019
Power Train

THE CAR JUST QUIT WITHOUT ANY WARNING STOPPED DEAD. LEFT ME STRANDED AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT WAS DRIVING FINE AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW THE TACT WAS GOING WAY UP AND MY SPEED WAS NOT. THEN THE TRANSMISSION FAULT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY. THIS WAS ON A RURAL ROAD BUSY TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #11279654

29,902 miles · Nov 9, 2019
StructureUnknown Or Other

MY VEHICLE LEAKS IN WATER AT MULTIPLE SPOTS BUT ONE THAT IS EXTREMELY VISIBLE. THIS HAPPENS DURING HEAVY RAIN AS WELL AS DURING A CAR WASH. THIS HAPPENING IS RUINING MY HEAD LINER AND ALSMOST CERTAIN RUSTING MY VEHICLE.THER ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE THAT IS NOT GETTING ADDRESSED FROM FORD I FILL I HAVE GOTTEN A LEMON…

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MY VEHICLE LEAKS IN WATER AT MULTIPLE SPOTS BUT ONE THAT IS EXTREMELY VISIBLE. THIS HAPPENS DURING HEAVY RAIN AS WELL AS DURING A CAR WASH. THIS HAPPENING IS RUINING MY HEAD LINER AND ALSMOST CERTAIN RUSTING MY VEHICLE.THER ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE THAT IS NOT GETTING ADDRESSED FROM FORD I FILL I HAVE GOTTEN A LEMON OF A VEHICLE WITH IN TURN WOULD ALLOW (LEMON LAW TO TAKE AFFECT).

NHTSA ODI #11279125

59,000 miles · Nov 7, 2019
Power Train

TORQUE CONVERTER BEARING AND SEAL LEAKING A QUART OF TRANSMISSION FLUID A DAY. REPLACED DUE TO FAULTY SEAL AND BEARING. ITS' ONLY A 2016. THE SEAL/BEARING/TORQUE CONVERTER SHOULD NOT BE ALREADY BREAKING DOWN IN 3 YEARS.

NHTSA ODI #11278767

108,000 miles · Nov 4, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WHILE DRIVING FAULT ENGINE SERVICE NOW LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON TOOL IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS A P1450 PURGE VALVE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DID THAT AND THE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND WHILE DRIVING IT LOSES ACCELERATION AS IF IT WANTS TO CUT OFF AND THE CAR KEEPS CUTTING OFF WHEN STARTING THE CAR THIS HAS BEEN AN O…

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WHILE DRIVING FAULT ENGINE SERVICE NOW LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON TOOL IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS A P1450 PURGE VALVE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DID THAT AND THE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND WHILE DRIVING IT LOSES ACCELERATION AS IF IT WANTS TO CUT OFF AND THE CAR KEEPS CUTTING OFF WHEN STARTING THE CAR THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR 2 OR MORE MONTHS

NHTSA ODI #11278001

29,954 miles · Nov 1, 2019
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS AT A CAR WASH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WENT AIRBORNE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO SOME BUSHES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SHOWN SIGNS OF SUDDENLY ACCELERATIN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS AT A CAR WASH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WENT AIRBORNE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO SOME BUSHES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SHOWN SIGNS OF SUDDENLY ACCELERATING PREVIOUSLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SPEED UP. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED, BUT WAS CURRENTLY UNDER HER DOCTOR'S CARE AND TAKING SEVERAL PAIN MEDICATIONS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND WAS BEING INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,954.

NHTSA ODI #11277530

44,000 miles · Oct 29, 2019
Unknown Or Other

WIND NOISE COMING FROM WORE OUT MOLDING AROUND BOTTOM OF FRONT WINDSHIELD. CAN HEAR WHEN GOING 60 MPH OR MORE.

NHTSA ODI #11271757

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