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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 · Aug 19, 2020
Engine

WHEN ROLLING TROUGH A TURN THEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDDLE, AT TIMES THERE IS NO POWER, ENGINE STALLS BUT DOES NOT SHUT OFF. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE APRIL AND IT IS GETTING WORSE.

NHTSA ODI #11350198

96,000 miles · Jul 2, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other

HEAD GASKET WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF EXHAUST KEEP LOSING ANTI FREEZE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11337120

62,000 miles · Jun 7, 2020
EngineUnknown Or OtherFire

I BELIEVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH PREVIOUS MODELS OF FORD ESCAPES AND OTHER MODELS WITH THE RECALL BASED ON THE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSING BURNING AND FIRES IS STILL A RELEVANT ISSUE IN MODELS FURTHER. I BOUGHT MY 2016 FORD ESCAPE A YEAR AGO FROM CARMAX WITH 61K MILES. WITHIN ONE MONTH AND CONSTANT SERVICE THE CAR W…

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I BELIEVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH PREVIOUS MODELS OF FORD ESCAPES AND OTHER MODELS WITH THE RECALL BASED ON THE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSING BURNING AND FIRES IS STILL A RELEVANT ISSUE IN MODELS FURTHER. I BOUGHT MY 2016 FORD ESCAPE A YEAR AGO FROM CARMAX WITH 61K MILES. WITHIN ONE MONTH AND CONSTANT SERVICE THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP BURNING COOLANT. NO LEAKS OR ANYTHING I PAID TO HAVE IT CHECKED BY THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS BECAUSE ALL OF THEM TOLD ME THERE HAD TO BE A LEAK. CARMAX STATES THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THEY CAN NOT COVER. BUT IT SEEMS TO NOT BE ANY PERSON AT FAULT. THERE ARE NO LEAKS I'VE HAD THE CAR INSPECTED. IT'S STILL RUNS A YEAR LATER, BUT CATCHES ON FIRE IF LEFT RUNNING IN PARK OR IDLE FOR MORE THAN FIVE MINUTES. SMOKES A TON FIRST THEN SOMETHING IGNITES. EVERY TIME YOU START IT THOUGH THERE'S A CLOUD OF THICK WHITE SMOKE WHICH EVENTUALLY CLEARS WHILE I'M DRIVING. DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR THIS SO I HAVE TO KEEP DRIVING IT LIKE THIS. FORD HAS HAD THIS ISSUE ALREADY IN THE PREVIOUS MODELS. I'VE ATTACHED THE CUTOUT FROM THE PRIOR RECALL ON PREVIOUS MODELS. I APPRECIATE AND THANKYOU FOR YOUR TIME. I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE APART OF HELPING THE BIGGER PICTURE.

NHTSA ODI #11327656

80,000 miles · Mar 5, 2020
Engine

CAR ONLY HAS 80,000 AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, RATTLED.

NHTSA ODI #11316320

71,000 miles · Feb 23, 2020
EnginePower TrainFire

MY CAR STOPPED WHILE DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET. AUTONATION FORD CLAIMED THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WHICH LED TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THEY WANTED $7K TO REPAIR. I TOOK IT ELSEWHERE FOR REPAIR AND WITHIN 1 WEEK AFTER REPAIR THE CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. I HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE BUT HAD JUST EXITED TO A NEARBY …

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MY CAR STOPPED WHILE DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET. AUTONATION FORD CLAIMED THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WHICH LED TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THEY WANTED $7K TO REPAIR. I TOOK IT ELSEWHERE FOR REPAIR AND WITHIN 1 WEEK AFTER REPAIR THE CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. I HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE BUT HAD JUST EXITED TO A NEARBY RESIDENTIAL AREA. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS MELTED. THE CAR IS TOTALED AND HAS BEEN TURNED OVER TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY, ALLSTATE.

NHTSA ODI #11310836

44,000 miles · Dec 5, 2019
Engine

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. …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11287198

90,000 miles · Dec 3, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

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.

NHTSA ODI #11286745

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

21,000 miles · Sep 9, 2019
EngineVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE NOTICED THAT AFTER APPLYING NORMAL PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE ABS INDICATOR AND THE HILL ASSIST NOTICE APPEAR. ALSO ANOTHER WARNING LIGHT COMES ON THE DASH BOARD. ALSO, THE SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED 10 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS. EVENTUALLY THE…

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I HAVE NOTICED THAT AFTER APPLYING NORMAL PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE ABS INDICATOR AND THE HILL ASSIST NOTICE APPEAR. ALSO ANOTHER WARNING LIGHT COMES ON THE DASH BOARD. ALSO, THE SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED 10 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS. EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE WILL TORN ITSELF OFF AFTER APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MINUTES. I NOTICED THAT THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AFTER STOPPING AT A LIGHT. IT MAY COME ON AT OTHER TIMES WHILE I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE, BUT I NOTICE THE LIGHT WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE.

NHTSA ODI #11254109

62,000 miles · May 2, 2019
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

I'M NOT SURE BUT I FEEL LIKE THERE MIGHT BE AN ISSUE WITH MY FORD ESCAPE TRANSMISSION. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN NOT EVEN 2 YEARS AGO AND NOW I'M BEING TOLD THAT I EITHER NEED NEW TRANSMISSION OR TO HAVE MINE REBUILT AND THIS DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT'.HOW IS THAT A CAR THAT IS BARLEY 3 YEARS OLD, AND BOUGHT BRAND NEW NEEDS A WHOLE NEW TRA…

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I'M NOT SURE BUT I FEEL LIKE THERE MIGHT BE AN ISSUE WITH MY FORD ESCAPE TRANSMISSION. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN NOT EVEN 2 YEARS AGO AND NOW I'M BEING TOLD THAT I EITHER NEED NEW TRANSMISSION OR TO HAVE MINE REBUILT AND THIS DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT'.HOW IS THAT A CAR THAT IS BARLEY 3 YEARS OLD, AND BOUGHT BRAND NEW NEEDS A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION. I AM CONCERN BECAUSE I HAVE A CHILD AND I AM CURRENTLY PREGNANT AND MY CAR IS SLIPPING IN OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. I AM ON FIX INCOME THIS WHY I BOUGHT WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A RELIABLE NEW CAR, I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO CORRECT FORD'S MISTAKE. I HOPE THIS MATER CAN BE LOOKED INTO ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I DO NOT FEEL LIKE SOME SHOULD HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THIS ISSUE IS ADDRESSED AND CORRECTED.

NHTSA ODI #11205262

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