2016 Ford Escape

On July 7, 2026, at approximately 113,080 miles, my 2016 Ford Escape displayed a “Transmission Fault – Service Now” warning. The exact failed component is currently UNKNOWN, but the issue appears to involve the transmission/powertrain and possibly an electrical fault. While driving, I experienced abnormal symptoms including a rotational/squeaking noise from the front-right area and an air-leak/pressure-type noise from the right side. The pressure-type noise could also be heard while revving the vehicle at idle. The Check Engine Light also illuminated. I took the vehicle to an independent repair facility on July 7, 2026. The mechanic documented the symptoms and diagnostic trouble codes and advised that additional electrical diagnosis was necessary to determine the exact cause. The transmission itself has not been conclusively diagnosed as failed, and I am not claiming a specific failed internal component without further inspection. I consider this a serious safety concern because an unresolved transmission or powertrain malfunction could potentially cause improper shifting, hesitation, reduced propulsion, loss of acceleration, or other unexpected vehicle behavior while driving in traffic. I contacted Ford regarding the problem and followed up again on July 17, 2026. After receiving no resolution, I contacted Ford again on September 9, 2026. Ford advised me that there was no exact timeframe for when the ASO would contact me and that the ASO may or may not contact me at all. I requested that Ford make a final escalation of the safety concern. Ford confirmed that my escalation and my intention to submit the unresolved safety issue to NHTSA were documented under Ford case CXH-08511841-T8X5L4. To my knowledge, Ford has not inspected the vehicle or provided a substantive resolution to the transmission/powertrain concern. I am also concerned that this may not be an isolated maintenance issue. I am aware of other owners reporting transmission and powertrain problems.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while in reverse(R) on several occasions, the rear-view camera went black and failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that the radio turned on and off independently, and the screen failed to operate as intended. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

My 2016 Ford Escape is subject to safety recall 25SA9 / NHTSA 25V695 involving the rearview camera. Ford's recall states that the rearview camera may display a blank or distorted image in reverse, or may display a message that camera is unavailable. The rearview camera is now completely nonfunctional. It previously worked intermittently but progressively worsened and is gone now. When I place the vehicle in reverse, the center display either remains blank or continues displaying the navigation/map screen shown while driving. It does not display the rearview camera image. The vehicle and camera are available for inspection upon request. This creates a significant safety risk because I have lost the rearward view provided by the camera when backing up. This is particularly concerning because this is the exact safety defect addressed by the recall: an unavailable rearview camera (for a [XXX]!!) can reduce driver's view behind the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash. I have contacted Ford dealerships regarding this recall both in Texas, where I previously lived, and in Utah, where I now live. I have been told that the replacement remedy part is still unavailable, so the recall repair cannot be performed. Ford's original NHTSA recall filing stated that final remedy owner notifications were planned for June 29–July 3, 2026. It is now August 23, 2026, and remedy remains unavailable. The problem has not been repaired or resolved by a dealer because the recall replacement part is unavailable. I have not had the vehicle inspected by police or an insurance representative. The camera initially worked intermittently and then stopped altogether. The current symptom is that, when in reverse, the display either remains blank or continues showing the navigation/map screen instead of displaying the rearview camera image. I am requesting that NHTSA review Ford's handling of recall 25V695/25SA9, particularly the continued lack of an available remedy. THIS IS UNSAFE! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATI

I am filing this complaint regarding a serious safety issue with the rearview camera on my Ford vehicle. My rearview/backup camera does not function properly when I place the vehicle in reverse. The display either shows a blank screen or a severely distorted image, preventing me from reliably seeing the area behind my vehicle. Ford issued a safety recall concerning rearview-camera problems in October 2025. I have contacted Ford/dealership personnel regarding the recall and the defective camera. I have been advised that the replacement part needed to repair my vehicle is not currently available. This is extremely concerning because the rearview camera is an important safety feature that is specifically intended to provide visibility behind the vehicle while backing. At present, I cannot depend on the camera to show me what is behind my vehicle. This creates an increased risk of striking a person, another vehicle, property, or another obstruction that I may not be able to see. The problem is not merely an inconvenience or cosmetic issue. I am experiencing an actual loss of rear visibility while the vehicle is in reverse. Ford has acknowledged the safety concern through its recall, yet I am still unable to obtain the required repair because I am being told that the necessary part is unavailable. I am requesting that NHTSA review this matter and determine whether Ford is adequately addressing the recall and providing affected owners with a timely and effective remedy. I would also like this complaint to document that I have reported the safety defect to Ford/dealer and that the vehicle remains unrepaired because the necessary replacement part is reportedly unavailable. I am concerned about continuing to operate the vehicle without a functioning rearview camera and believe this unresolved condition presents an unreasonable safety risk.

There is an active safety recall on the vehicle and FORD wants to charge to diagnose the recall. When I first inquired about the recall they said they didn’t have the part to fix that recall but wanted me to bring it into the shop to diagnose it and that would cost money. They said that even if I did bring it into to diagnose they could not do anything but let me know if they get the part but that the company no longer makes the part so it won’t get fixed anyways.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated Instrument display went out. warnings are being indicated but not able to see the warning as well as mileage due to the instrument panel being blank. The dealer was contact; however the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.