2016 Ford Escape problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 921 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Escape, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 4 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
921
Recalls
4
Crashes
26
Fires
8
Injuries
12
Median mileage
90,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 270 of 921 complaints (29%).
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (234) and engine (203) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 90,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 26 crashes, 8 fires and 12 injuries.
  • The 2016 Ford Escape has 4 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 6th of 22 Ford Escape model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 8% more complaints than the 2015 model year (855).

2016 Ford Escape problems by category

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Power train258
Back over prevention197
Engine156
Unknown or other127
Electrical system69
Engine and engine cooling52
Steering42
Fuel/propulsion system29

When problems happen (mileage)

4Under 10k910k–30k5330k–60k19360k–100k138100k–150k38150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2016 Ford Escape complaints that list mileage.

2016 Ford Escape recalls (4)

  • Recall 26V011000Jan 15, 2026116,672 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 25V695000Oct 13, 20251,448,655 vehicles
    BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 22V413000Jun 10, 20222,925,968 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) · 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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 17V398000Jun 26, 20173 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER

    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."

    Risk: 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.

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2016 Ford Escape SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
2016 Ford Escape SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Recent 2016 Ford Escape complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Oct 7, 2026115,000 miNCDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to so the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while in reverse, the back over prevention camera went blank and failed to display the image of the rear of the vehicle. The failure became persistent over…
    NHTSA complaint #11769615 · source
  2. Filed Oct 7, 2026173,000 miTNEngineOther / Unknown
    The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was hot(H). While inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the coolant level was low. The contact added coolant to the coolant reservoir; however, the failure returned within three days, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where visible leaks were found. The failure persisted,…
    NHTSA complaint #11769610 · source
  3. Filed Oct 7, 2026110,000 miAZDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera displayed a distorted image that remained on the display screen for approximately one minute while driving ahead. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11769581 · source
  4. Filed Oct 6, 2026MIDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
    Ford had a recall for backup camera issues issued 10/13/2025. It’s been almost 1 year and no remedy. What is considered a reasonable timeline for this? Is there any way to expedite Fords process to get the parts in for the recall? Any information you can provide will be helpful. Thank you.
    NHTSA complaint #11769482 · source
  5. Filed Oct 6, 202686,050 miINDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rear-view camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rearview camera image intermittently operated, and the message “Camera Not Available” was displayed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The dealer confirmed that parts…
    NHTSA complaint #11769261 · source
  6. Filed Oct 5, 202685,000 miTXDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that upon reversing the vehicle the rear-view camera was distorted. The failure…
    NHTSA complaint #11769162 · source
  7. Filed Oct 5, 2026KYDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera was inoperable. The dealer and a second dealer, Town and Country Ford, LLC ( 6015 Preston Hwy, Louisville, KY…
    NHTSA complaint #11769043 · source
  8. Filed Oct 5, 2026186,000 miALCrashDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera failed to display an image, causing the contact to crash into a friend's vehicle, striking the front driver's side…
    NHTSA complaint #11768979 · source

Compare the 2016 Ford Escape with another vehicle →

Other 2016 Ford models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology