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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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11,200 miles · Nov 8, 2016
Engine

ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND THE SERVICE ENGINE NOW LIGHT COME ON. I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE DOING 65MPH THIS MORNING WHEN IT CUT OUT. I WAS LUCKY TO MAKE IT INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE WITHOUT GETTING HIT. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THE ENGINE SPUTTERS LIKE IT IS ONLY RUNNING ON ONE CYLINDER. IF I SHUT IT OFF AND RESTART IT, …

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ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND THE SERVICE ENGINE NOW LIGHT COME ON. I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE DOING 65MPH THIS MORNING WHEN IT CUT OUT. I WAS LUCKY TO MAKE IT INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE WITHOUT GETTING HIT. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THE ENGINE SPUTTERS LIKE IT IS ONLY RUNNING ON ONE CYLINDER. IF I SHUT IT OFF AND RESTART IT, THE SERVICE ENGINE NOW LIGHT GO OUT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 11,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT UNLESS THE SERVICE ENGINE NOW LIGHT WAS ON, THEY CANT FIX IT. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF TWO WEEKS. I AM AFRAID I WILL GET INTO AN ACCIDENT WHEN THIS HAPPENS.

NHTSA ODI #10924960

9,000 miles · Nov 2, 2016
Engine

JUST TURNED OVER 9,000 MILES ON MY 2016 FORD ESCAPE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE "STALLS" AND STARTS TO SHUDDER WITH THE ENGINE FAULT LIGHT COMING ON. NO CONTROL OVER ACCELERATOR. OR STEERING. THANK GOODNESS I WAS NOT TURNING ON A BUSY STREET OR TRYING TO GET ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO PULL OFF OF THE STREET …

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JUST TURNED OVER 9,000 MILES ON MY 2016 FORD ESCAPE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE "STALLS" AND STARTS TO SHUDDER WITH THE ENGINE FAULT LIGHT COMING ON. NO CONTROL OVER ACCELERATOR. OR STEERING. THANK GOODNESS I WAS NOT TURNING ON A BUSY STREET OR TRYING TO GET ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO PULL OFF OF THE STREET SINCE THE CAR WOULD HARDLY GO. I SHUT OFF THE CAR, STARTED IT AGAIN AND IT SEEMED FINE. I PULLED BACK ON THE STREET AND IT DID IT AGAIN. PULLED OVER AND DID THE SAME THING, GOT BACK ON THE STREET AND IT STALLED FOR THE 3RD TIME. I PULLED OVER AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER, IT WAS UNSAFE AND UNABLE TO DRIVE. I WAS TOLD TOLD TODAY IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY THAT NEEDED REPLACED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE SITTING DEAD IN THE WATER LIKE THAT ON A BUSY STREET, I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED OR EVEN KILLED IF I HAD BEEN ON AN INTERSTATE OR BUSY 4 LANE. MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WAS WONDERFUL TO WORK WITH AND IMMEDIATELY CAME TO RESCUE ME!

NHTSA ODI #10923902

8,000 miles · Oct 31, 2016
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING THE FORD ESCAPE ON A MAIN ROAD TODAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO IDLE VERY ROUGH, THE ORANGE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CAR DECELERATED RAPIDLY AS I WAS GOING UP A SLIGHT HILL. I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT, WHERE I SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THEN TURNED IT BACK …

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WHILE DRIVING THE FORD ESCAPE ON A MAIN ROAD TODAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO IDLE VERY ROUGH, THE ORANGE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CAR DECELERATED RAPIDLY AS I WAS GOING UP A SLIGHT HILL. I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT, WHERE I SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND PROCEEDED HOME. I HAVE CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10920396

10,000 miles · Sep 19, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

I WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY, I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH AN ERROR MESSAGE OF "ENGINE FAULT". ONCE I MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE ENGINE IDLED DOWN TO 400 AND SHUT OFF. I TRIED TO CRANK IT UP AGAIN AND THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STARTED JUMPIN…

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I WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY, I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH AN ERROR MESSAGE OF "ENGINE FAULT". ONCE I MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE ENGINE IDLED DOWN TO 400 AND SHUT OFF. I TRIED TO CRANK IT UP AGAIN AND THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STARTED JUMPING VIOLENTLY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS RECALL 16B32.

NHTSA ODI #10907621

11,874 miles · Sep 19, 2016
EngineSteering

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH MY VEHICLE DIED. NO POWER STEERING. VERY DANGEROUS. THE SCREEN SAID 'ENGINE FAULT'. MANAGED TO GET TO THE SHOULDER AND IT RESTARTED RIGHT AWAY. DROVE A LITTLE FURTHER, SAME THING. MANAGED TO GET IT HOME BUT IT DID THIS 4 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE WEEKEND. IT IS AT THE SHOP TODAY BUT…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH MY VEHICLE DIED. NO POWER STEERING. VERY DANGEROUS. THE SCREEN SAID 'ENGINE FAULT'. MANAGED TO GET TO THE SHOULDER AND IT RESTARTED RIGHT AWAY. DROVE A LITTLE FURTHER, SAME THING. MANAGED TO GET IT HOME BUT IT DID THIS 4 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE WEEKEND. IT IS AT THE SHOP TODAY BUT THERE ARE NO LIGHTS ON NOW SO I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WILL BE ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10907535

6,610 miles · Sep 15, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

WAS DRIVING AND VEHICLE BEGAN SHUDDERING VIOLENTLY AND SERVICE ENGINE NOW CAME ON AND VEHICLE ENGINE DIED. THANK GOODNESS I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY YET AND FOUR PEOPLE HELPED TO PUSH ME OUT OF THE WAY.

NHTSA ODI #10906791

22,000 miles · Sep 12, 2016
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY REDUCED SPEED AND A "SERVICE ENGINE" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY REDUCED SPEED AND A "SERVICE ENGINE" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ODI #10905683

12,900 miles · Sep 11, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (ROUGHLY 70 MPH) MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY TURNED OFF WITH NO WARNING AND SAID "ENGINE FAULT. SERVICE NOW". BY THE GRACE OF GOD I DID NOT GET REAR ENDED. I SUCCESSFULLY RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND MADE IT HOME. THE SAME THING HAPPENED THE NEXT MORNING, THIS TIME ON CITY STREETS GOING ROUGHLY 20 MPH DURI…

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WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (ROUGHLY 70 MPH) MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY TURNED OFF WITH NO WARNING AND SAID "ENGINE FAULT. SERVICE NOW". BY THE GRACE OF GOD I DID NOT GET REAR ENDED. I SUCCESSFULLY RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND MADE IT HOME. THE SAME THING HAPPENED THE NEXT MORNING, THIS TIME ON CITY STREETS GOING ROUGHLY 20 MPH DURING RUSH HOUR. AGAINST, I WAS BEYOND LUCKY TO HAVE NOT GOTTEN INJURED OR WORSE AND THERE WAS NO WARNING AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10905598

11,000 miles · Aug 9, 2016
EngineVehicle Speed Control

LSUDDEN COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER UNEXPECTEDLY DRIVING AT LOW OR HIGH SPEED. RUFF RUNNING WITHOUT ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. WARING MESSAGE OF "HILL ASSIT" NOT ACTIVATED. VERY DANGEROUS SENARIO WHILE ON INTERSTATE. OCCURRED 3 (THREE) TIMES IN 2 DAYS. CAR WAS A HERTZ RENTAL CAR AND I WAS TOLD, AFTER COMPAINING THAT REQUESTED CAR WAS N…

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LSUDDEN COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER UNEXPECTEDLY DRIVING AT LOW OR HIGH SPEED. RUFF RUNNING WITHOUT ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. WARING MESSAGE OF "HILL ASSIT" NOT ACTIVATED. VERY DANGEROUS SENARIO WHILE ON INTERSTATE. OCCURRED 3 (THREE) TIMES IN 2 DAYS. CAR WAS A HERTZ RENTAL CAR AND I WAS TOLD, AFTER COMPAINING THAT REQUESTED CAR WAS NOT AVAILABLE, THAT THIS CAR IS BETTER AND MORE RELIABLE THAN MY REQUESTED TOYOTA RAV 4. THINKING BACK IT'S AS IF THEY KNEW ABOUT THE ESCAPE'S LIABILITY.

NHTSA ODI #10894417

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.

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