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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.

About this comparison →

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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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 #11205261

64,000 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 ON THE STREETS OF TOLEDO. 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.

NHTSA ODI #11205259

64,000 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 ON THE STREETS OF TOLEDO. 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.

NHTSA ODI #11205255

66,252 miles · Apr 29, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. IT HAS DONE THIS AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND SLOWER. CANNOT PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC FOR FEAR OF THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA ODI #11204565

25,000 miles · Apr 29, 2019
Engine

WE FREQUENTLY DRIVE FROM MIDWAY, UT TO SALT LAKE CITY, UT ON I-80 WHERE THE HIGHWAY GOES THROUGH PARLEY'S CANYON AND EXPERIENCES 6-7% GRADES. WE WERE DRIVING HOME IN THE FAR LEFT LANE OF I-80 WHEN, WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR LOST SPEED FROM 70 MPH TO 40 MPH. WE TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO NO AVAIL. WE MOVED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE T…

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WE FREQUENTLY DRIVE FROM MIDWAY, UT TO SALT LAKE CITY, UT ON I-80 WHERE THE HIGHWAY GOES THROUGH PARLEY'S CANYON AND EXPERIENCES 6-7% GRADES. WE WERE DRIVING HOME IN THE FAR LEFT LANE OF I-80 WHEN, WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR LOST SPEED FROM 70 MPH TO 40 MPH. WE TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO NO AVAIL. WE MOVED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO THE FAR RIGHT LANE AND EXITED THE HIGHWAY. THE MESSAGE THAT DISPLAYED LISTED ENGINE OVERHEATING AS THE ISSUE BUT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOWED NORMAL TEMPERATURE. WE CONTACTED OUR FORD DEALER ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AND LEARNED THAT THERE IS A SENSOR ON THIS CAR THE DETECTS POSSIBLE ENGINE OVERHEATING AND AUTOMATICALLY REDUCES YOUR SPEED. WE WROTE TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF WHAT WE BELIEVE IS POTENTIALLY A DANGEROUS SITUATION. WHILE THIS MAY BE THE DESIGN POINT OF THE SENSOR, IT IS CERTAINLY DANGEROUS FOR DRIVERS, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, TO HAVE THE CAR LOOSE SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO EXIT THE INTERSTATE WITHOUT INCIDENT. FORD WROTE BACK TO US AND INFORMED US THAT THIS SENSOR IS TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND TO ALLOW US TIME TO GET TO A SERVICE FACILITY. WHILE WE APPRECIATE THE VAST ARRAY OF TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS NOW AVAILABLE THAT PROVIDE THE PUBLIC SMARTER AND SAFER VEHICLES, TAKING THIS KIND OF CONTROL AWAY FROM A DRIVER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITHOUT ANY WARNING BASED ON OUR EXPERIENCE IS QUITE UNSAFE. OBVIOUSLY THE SENSOR IS NOT SENSING THE DRIVER'S SITUATION OR LOCATION WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY LOOSES SPEED. FORD HAS FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT WE SHARE OUR EXPERIENCE ON FORD SOCIAL WHERE WE CAN POST QUESTIONS FOR FORD'S ENGINEERS AND DESIGN TEAM. IS THE NHTSA AWARE OF THIS ISSUE? IF SO, WHAT IS THEIR OPINION ABOUT THIS TECHNOLOGY? ARE WE OVERREACTING?

NHTSA ODI #11204546

58,000 miles · Apr 16, 2019
Engine

AFTER THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND COIL IN CYLINDER 2 LAST WEEK, THEY NOTED COOLANT IN THE CYLINDER. NOT EVEN A WEEK LATER, THE ENGINE IS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE CYLINDER. THIS SITUATION HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER AND CAUSE AN OIL LEAK WHICH CAN CAUSE FIRE. THE MECHANICS SAY THEY CAN DO NOTHING …

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AFTER THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND COIL IN CYLINDER 2 LAST WEEK, THEY NOTED COOLANT IN THE CYLINDER. NOT EVEN A WEEK LATER, THE ENGINE IS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE CYLINDER. THIS SITUATION HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER AND CAUSE AN OIL LEAK WHICH CAN CAUSE FIRE. THE MECHANICS SAY THEY CAN DO NOTHING ELSE TO FIX IT AND FORD REFUSES TO FIX THE ISSUE. I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE IN EARLIER MODELS OF FORD ESCAPES AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11196833

58,000 miles · Apr 8, 2019
Engine

MY CAR HAD A PROBLEM IDLING LAST WEEK. GOT IT TO THE MECHANIC. MECHANIC TRIED TO CHANGE THE SPARK PLUG DUE TO A PROBLEM IN THE CYLINDER BUT SPARK PLUG WAS FROZEN. FOUND COOLANT UNDERNEATH. MECHANIC HAD WORKED AS A MECHANIC AT A FORD DEALERSHIP, SAID THIS PROBLEM WAS PREVALENT WITH FORDS. I CONTACTED FORD. THE FORD REPRESENTATIVE…

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MY CAR HAD A PROBLEM IDLING LAST WEEK. GOT IT TO THE MECHANIC. MECHANIC TRIED TO CHANGE THE SPARK PLUG DUE TO A PROBLEM IN THE CYLINDER BUT SPARK PLUG WAS FROZEN. FOUND COOLANT UNDERNEATH. MECHANIC HAD WORKED AS A MECHANIC AT A FORD DEALERSHIP, SAID THIS PROBLEM WAS PREVALENT WITH FORDS. I CONTACTED FORD. THE FORD REPRESENTATIVE SAID I HAD NO EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE PRODUCT SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE ONLY LONG-TERM FIX IS AN ENTIRELY NEW ENGINE BECAUSE COOLANT IS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CAR IS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD.

NHTSA ODI #11194806

40,000 miles · Mar 18, 2019
Engine

I PULLED OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION TO TURN LEFT GOING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH WHEN MY FORD ESCAPE STALLED. THE ELECTRONICS REMAINED ON, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND IT DISPLAYED A MESSAGE THAT READ "TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK". THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY ROLL THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO SUC…

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I PULLED OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION TO TURN LEFT GOING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH WHEN MY FORD ESCAPE STALLED. THE ELECTRONICS REMAINED ON, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND IT DISPLAYED A MESSAGE THAT READ "TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK". THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY ROLL THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY RESTART THE CAR FIRST TRY.

NHTSA ODI #11189676

78,000 miles · Mar 10, 2019
EnginePower Train

I JUST BOUGHT THIS 2016 FORD ESCAPE IN OCTOBER, 2018. IT MADE IT UNTIL MAR. 2019. NO WARNING LIGHT, NOTHING. IT HAS 78,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION BLEW. THEY ARE TELLING ME AT THE JENSEN FORD DEALERSHIP THAT IT WILL COST 6,508.00 DUE TO ALL THAT IS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN IT GETS HOT IT LEAKS TRANSMISSION FLUID BADL…

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I JUST BOUGHT THIS 2016 FORD ESCAPE IN OCTOBER, 2018. IT MADE IT UNTIL MAR. 2019. NO WARNING LIGHT, NOTHING. IT HAS 78,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION BLEW. THEY ARE TELLING ME AT THE JENSEN FORD DEALERSHIP THAT IT WILL COST 6,508.00 DUE TO ALL THAT IS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN IT GETS HOT IT LEAKS TRANSMISSION FLUID BADLY. IT TOOK ONLY 2 DAYS AND NO WARNING AND IT BLEW. NOW I CAN'T PAY FOR IT, FORD WILL NOT PAY FOR IT AND I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD.

NHTSA ODI #11185678

54,000 miles · Mar 6, 2019
Engine

I BOUGHT MY '16 FORD ESCAPE OVER A YEAR AGO. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO JUST FINE WHEN TURNING IN AN INTERSECTION THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE ENGINE. IT WAS DRIVING WITHOUT ISSUES UNTIL THIS PAST WEEK WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WHILE IN MOTION THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIES…

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I BOUGHT MY '16 FORD ESCAPE OVER A YEAR AGO. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO JUST FINE WHEN TURNING IN AN INTERSECTION THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE ENGINE. IT WAS DRIVING WITHOUT ISSUES UNTIL THIS PAST WEEK WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WHILE IN MOTION THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIES. AGAIN I TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZZARD AS THE CAR COMPLETE GOES INTO A COST WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING IT.

NHTSA ODI #11184739

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