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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

Power Train complaints

320 reports
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133,000 miles · Jan 23, 2021
Power Train

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I NOTICED I WASN'T ACCELERATING; AS I TRIED TO PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SPEED UP. I PULLED OFF THE TO A SIDE ROAD, STOPPED THE CAR, PUT IT IN PARK AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE AND HAD NO CHANGE IN ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. I TRIED TURNING IT OFF AND BACK …

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AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I NOTICED I WASN'T ACCELERATING; AS I TRIED TO PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SPEED UP. I PULLED OFF THE TO A SIDE ROAD, STOPPED THE CAR, PUT IT IN PARK AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE AND HAD NO CHANGE IN ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. I TRIED TURNING IT OFF AND BACK ON. AS I THEN TRIED TO GET THE CAR BACK HOME (THANKFULLY I WASN'T FAR) I HAD TO PUT IT IN LOW GEAR AND COULD ONLY GO 10-15 MPH. THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE LIGHT CAME UP AT THIS POINT. AFTER TRYING TO LET THE VEHICLE COOL DOWN, THERE WAS NO CHANGE. I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT A TRANSMISSION SHOP; COSTING $4,100; THE TRANSMISSION MECHANIC COULDN'T TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT WENT WRONG OTHER THAN IT HAD OVERHEATED IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THERE WAS A LOT OF INTERNAL DAMAGE. I AM STILL STRUGGLING WITH ISSUES WITH ACCELERATING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD. THE VEHICLE IS SLUGGISH AND SHIFTS VERY HARD WHEN IT IS COLD. THE MECHANIC IS LOOKING INTO IT AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11389606

86,000 miles · Dec 19, 2020
Electrical SystemPower Train

THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE WAS SLIGHTLY OVER 86, 000 MILES. THAT SHOULD NOT BE A THING. WE HAVE ALSO HAD CONSTANT ISSUES WITH THE RADIO/DISPLAY INCLUDING TOTAL FAILURE AND REAR CAMERA NOT SHOWING.

NHTSA ODI #11384168

89,000 miles · Dec 4, 2020
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN OUT OF NOWHERE I COULDN'T ACCELERATE ANYMORE IT WAS ALMOST LIKE I WAS STUCK IN NEUTRAL BUT I WAS CLEARLY IN DRIVE. I BEGAN HAVING OTHER DRIVERS HONK AT ME AND TRYING TO PASS ME, I HAD MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WITH ME, IT WAS REALLY SCARY. I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN …

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN OUT OF NOWHERE I COULDN'T ACCELERATE ANYMORE IT WAS ALMOST LIKE I WAS STUCK IN NEUTRAL BUT I WAS CLEARLY IN DRIVE. I BEGAN HAVING OTHER DRIVERS HONK AT ME AND TRYING TO PASS ME, I HAD MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WITH ME, IT WAS REALLY SCARY. I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN IN A ACCIDENT. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, TURNED MY HAZARDS ON, AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE MECHANIC SAID MY TRANSMISSION WAS DONE AND I NEEDED A NEW ONE, HE ALSO SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD ESCAPES. I REPAIRED IT IT COST 5600$. THE PART THAT BOTHERED ME MOST WAS WHEN I CONTACTED FORD THEY DIDN'T CARE ONE BIT. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART AND MAKE IT RIGHT AND STAND BEHIND THEIR NAME, BECAUSE I GUARANTEE THEY ARE FULLY AWARE OF THIS HAPPENING AND YET FAIL TO RECALL IT AND FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI #11377885

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2020
Power Train

MY VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A FAINT WHISTLING / WINDING SOUND WHEN BEING DRIVEN. THEN MY CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE ANY MORE WHILE IT WAS IN THE DRIVE POSITION . THE RPM NEEDLE KEPT JUMPING AS IF IT WAS BEING DRIVEN. I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR WOULD NOT GO. I STOPPED , STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVEWAY. …

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MY VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A FAINT WHISTLING / WINDING SOUND WHEN BEING DRIVEN. THEN MY CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE ANY MORE WHILE IT WAS IN THE DRIVE POSITION . THE RPM NEEDLE KEPT JUMPING AS IF IT WAS BEING DRIVEN. I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR WOULD NOT GO. I STOPPED , STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVEWAY. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, WAITED FOR A MIN OR 2 THEN TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, AFTER THAT THE CAR FINALLY SHIFT INTO GEAR, AND I WAS ABLE TO PARK MY CAR. THE LIGHT FINALLY CAME ON SAYING TRANMISSIONS FAILURE SERVICE NOW OR SOMETHING TO THAT AFFECT. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO FORD SEEING HOW I WAS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, FINALLY AFTER A MONTH , GOT MY CAR BACK. THEY DIDN'T REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION JUST PARTS OF IT FROM WHAT I WAS TOLD -MANS A HOSE FOR MY HEATER. NOW A FEW WEEKS LATER, MY CAR IS MAKING THE SAME NOISE.

NHTSA ODI #11377808

112,000 miles · Nov 22, 2020
Power Train

TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL REVERSE OR PARK. YET I AM ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. CAR ALSO WILL NOT START BECAUSE OF THIS

NHTSA ODI #11375779

180,000 miles · Nov 3, 2020
Power Train

I PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK AND THEN TRIED TO PUT VEHICLE BACK IN GEAR. GEARSHIFT WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED AND VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY IN NEUTRAL I HAD TO PUT EMERGENCY BRAKE ON TO PREVENT VEHICLE FROM ROLLING AND HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO HAVE BUSHING JOINING TRANSMISSION TO SHIFTER CABLE REPLACED. THIS IS SOMETHING THA…

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I PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK AND THEN TRIED TO PUT VEHICLE BACK IN GEAR. GEARSHIFT WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED AND VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY IN NEUTRAL I HAD TO PUT EMERGENCY BRAKE ON TO PREVENT VEHICLE FROM ROLLING AND HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO HAVE BUSHING JOINING TRANSMISSION TO SHIFTER CABLE REPLACED. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN COVERED UNDER PREVIOUS RECALL FOR 2014 ESCAPES AND VERY OBVIOUSLY IS STILL A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11372835

75,000 miles · Oct 20, 2020
Power Train

VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WHEN IT STARTED HESITATING AND RPMS REVVING UP AND DOWN CHAOTICALLY. NO CHECK ENGINE OR SERVICE LIGHTS WERE ON. VEHICLE TOWED HOME, AND DRIVEN TO DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY. SAME PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING WHEN THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. DEALERSHIP HAD IT FOR A W…

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VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WHEN IT STARTED HESITATING AND RPMS REVVING UP AND DOWN CHAOTICALLY. NO CHECK ENGINE OR SERVICE LIGHTS WERE ON. VEHICLE TOWED HOME, AND DRIVEN TO DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY. SAME PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING WHEN THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. DEALERSHIP HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND SAID THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS COMING APART INSIDE THE 6F35 TRANSMISSION AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 5400 FOR A REMAN OR 3400 OVERHAUL. VEHICLE AT 75K MILES. CODES P0219/P0735/P0731. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WHEN NOTIFIED OF THIS FAULT. THE CSR SAID THERE IS NO ONE AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY THAT COULD LET ME KNOW HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THEY HAVE RECEIVED ON THE 6F35 TRANSMISSION, DESPITE EMPLOYING 175,000 PEOPLE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD. IT IS ABSOLUTELY ABSURD THAT A CAR WITH 75K MILES NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AND FORD WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE DESPITE BEING PAID 28,000 FOR THE VEHICLE! FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS TRANSMISSION AND OWN UP TO THEIR FAULTY MANUFACTURING, AGAIN TRANSMISSION JUST RANDOMLY GOING OUT WITH NO PRIOR ISSUES SHOULD BE A HUGE RED FLAG. FORD DOESN'T EVEN RECOMMEND TRANSMISSION SERVICE ON THIS VEHICLE UNTIL 150K

NHTSA ODI #11365306

73,000 miles · Oct 18, 2020
Power Train

OUT OF NOWHERE CAR'S TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING REALLY BAD ON A MAIN STREET INTERSECTION. THE CAR WOULD STALL THEN WOULD CATCH UNEXPECTEDLY AND LAUNCH FORWARD. THEN A MESSAGE CAME ON THE SCREEN OF "TRANSMISSION FAULT SERVICE ENGINE NOW". HOW IN THE WORLD DOES THIS HAPPEN WITH A 4 YR OLD CAR!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11365044

104,287 miles · Oct 7, 2020
Power Train

MY 2016 FORD ESCAPE HAD A TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, APPROX. GOING 45 TO 50 MPH. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT OF GEAR AND LOST POWER. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD STALL AND THEN SUDDENLY GO INTO GEAR WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING MY ESCAPE TO JERK FORWARD. I PARKED MY ESCAPE AND HAD IT TOWE…

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MY 2016 FORD ESCAPE HAD A TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, APPROX. GOING 45 TO 50 MPH. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT OF GEAR AND LOST POWER. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD STALL AND THEN SUDDENLY GO INTO GEAR WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING MY ESCAPE TO JERK FORWARD. I PARKED MY ESCAPE AND HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. I WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR SHOP THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS "BURNED UP" AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAD A REBUILT TRANSMISSION IN MY ESCAPE, COSTING ME $3,700 IN REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI #11363310

84,400 miles · Oct 1, 2020
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK THE RPMS REVVED UP. THE TRANSMISSION FAULT WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK THE RPMS REVVED UP. THE TRANSMISSION FAULT WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT, PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,400.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11362163

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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