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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

Engine complaints

199 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine

Cooling fan failure.. resulting in $1300 in repairs not needed and is now in shop for more money… to reapir

NHTSA ODI #11419785

67,000 miles · Apr 9, 2021
Engine

JANUARY 5, 2021 WE TOOK THE CAR INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP BECAUSE AFTER 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE CAR STARTED TO SHUDDER AND JERK AND HESITATE. AND THIS HAPPENED AT 50 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE COULD SMELL WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS EXHAUST IN THE CAR. THEY USED THE DIAGNOSTICS AND DETERMINED THE NUMBER TWO IGNIT…

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JANUARY 5, 2021 WE TOOK THE CAR INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP BECAUSE AFTER 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE CAR STARTED TO SHUDDER AND JERK AND HESITATE. AND THIS HAPPENED AT 50 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE COULD SMELL WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS EXHAUST IN THE CAR. THEY USED THE DIAGNOSTICS AND DETERMINED THE NUMBER TWO IGNITION COIL AS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SPARK PLUG WAS ALSO REPLACED. ALSO WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DIAGNOSED THE BATTERY DIED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. COST $484. ***WE WERE BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP ON FEBRUARY 8TH WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THIS TIME THEY INFORMED US THAT THE NUMBER 2 AND 3 CYLINDERS WERE MISFIRING AND THAT THERE WAS THERE WAS COOLANT INTRUSION IN THE ENGINE. I WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST ABOUT $900 JUST TO TAKE THE ENGINE OUT AND DO FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS AND THAT THE ENGINE MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY ONLY OFFERED $375 TOWARD THE EXPENSES. AFTER SEEING ALL THE REMARKS ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH THE FORD ECO BOOST ENGINE, I HOPE THEY WILL DO A RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11407266

55,000 miles · Apr 9, 2021
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE CONTINUED DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ON A ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HOT TEMPERATURE SENSOR WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE CONTINUED DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ON A ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HOT TEMPERATURE SENSOR WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THE CONTACT STATED SHE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CORWIN FORD SALES INC (5107 US-250, MANNINGTON, WV 26582, (304) 986-1111) AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #11407186

89,805 miles · Mar 3, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBOCHARGER WAS LEAKING AND THEY NEEDED TO REPLACED THE TURBOCHARGER, FUEL LINE AND FUEL GASKET. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBOCHARGER WAS LEAKING AND THEY NEEDED TO REPLACED THE TURBOCHARGER, FUEL LINE AND FUEL GASKET. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,805.

NHTSA ODI #11398969

60,000 miles · Feb 23, 2021
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO STALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER VAN BORTEL FORD, INC. (71 MARSH RD, EAST ROCHESTER, NY 1…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO STALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER VAN BORTEL FORD, INC. (71 MARSH RD, EAST ROCHESTER, NY 14445, (585)586-4415) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE COIL FOR CYLINDER NUMBER 3 TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED BUT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #11397563

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

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

107,000 miles · Nov 10, 2020
EngineFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTART. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, WHILE DRIVING AT UNDISCLOSED SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTART. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, WHILE DRIVING AT UNDISCLOSED SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. THE CONSUMER STATED SNOW WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE AT THE HATCH AND THE DRIVER SIDE BACK DOOR.

NHTSA ODI #11373922

47,825 miles · Nov 4, 2020
Engine

I WAS ON MY WAY HOME AFTER DROPPING MY HUSBAND OFF AT WORK WHEN MY LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. I TURNED AROUND AND HEADED TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION WITH FREE AIR. I DROVE FOR APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER 10 MINUTES AND WAS ONLY TWO BLOCKS FROM THE GAS STATION. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A MAIN ROAD DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR. …

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I WAS ON MY WAY HOME AFTER DROPPING MY HUSBAND OFF AT WORK WHEN MY LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. I TURNED AROUND AND HEADED TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION WITH FREE AIR. I DROVE FOR APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER 10 MINUTES AND WAS ONLY TWO BLOCKS FROM THE GAS STATION. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A MAIN ROAD DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. FROM A DEAD STOP, I ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 25 MPH, JUST GOT PAST THE INTERSECTION, WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE GAS PEDDLE STOPPED WORKING. I ONLY HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO MAKE IT ABOUT 50 FEET BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED COMPLETELY. LUCKILY, I MADE IT ALMOST ALL THE WAY INTO A LEFT TURN LANE. THE TRAFFIC PASSING WAS SO CLOSE THAT MY CAR SHOOK EACH TIME I WAS PASSED. I WAS TERRIFIED I'D BE STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A PASSING VEHICLE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO INFORM THEM OF WHAT HAPPENED AND THAT I'D BE HAVING MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. HAVING NO IDEA WHAT HAD HAPPENED, I WASN'T SURE IF I'D DO MORE DAMAGE BY TRYING TO START THE CAR AGAIN, SO I CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT OFFER TO TOW MY VEHICLE FOR ME AND I HAD TO PAY $75 FOR THE TOW. AFTER THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT THE CODES, THEY TOLD ME THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY HAD FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT COST ME JUST UNDER $400 IN TOTAL FOR THE REPAIR. MY VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE, SO THIS WAS 100% OUT OF POCKET FOR ME.

NHTSA ODI #11372970

100,000 miles · Oct 26, 2020
Engine

CAR SHUTTERED TO A STOP AND WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR AT ALL. TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS JUST 100,000K MILES ON THE CAR. TOTAL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT PERFORMED. THE CAR LEFT ME ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11366463

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