2016 Ford Escape: Recalls, Complaints and Vehicle Data
Records last imported Oct 31, 2026 · Published · By CarTold Editorial Team
Before you buy a 2016 Escape
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Where complaints cluster
Complaints concentrate on the power train: 27% of the 1,175 on file. The top components are power train (317, of which 5 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 7 an injury), back over prevention (224, of which 8 mention a crash) and engine (122, of which 3 a fire). Across all 1,175 reports, 39 describe a crash, 10 a fire and 17 at least one injury.
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Recent reports
319 complaints (27% of the total) were filed in the last 12 months, so owners are still reporting problems, most often about the back over prevention (198).
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Fuel economy and running cost
Its most efficient version (1.6-litre 4-cylinder) is rated 26 mpg combined, close to the median for the 2016 SUVs we cover (median 24 mpg across 41 other EPA listings); the thirstiest version is rated 23 mpg. At 15,000 miles a year and the national average regular gasoline price of $4.28 (EIA, week of Oct 19, 2026), fuel would cost about $2,470 a year in the most efficient version and about $2,790 in the thirstiest.
Complaint trends
1,175 complaints on file with NHTSA, by category.
Top components as NHTSA logged them:
- Power train — 261 complaints (22%)
- Back over prevention — 224 complaints (19%)
- Engine — 112 complaints (10%)
- Unknown or other — 107 complaints (9%)
- Steering — 60 complaints (5%)
- Engine and engine cooling — 45 complaints (4%)
What owners told NHTSA
Short excerpts from owner reports submitted to NHTSA. They are unverified and describe one vehicle each.
“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.”
“Complete transmission failure while driving. Gears blew completely apart. Resulting in inability to safely maneuver vehicle out of roadway. Dealership replaced transmission at my expense. No warning or indication of imminent failure.”
“Was sold a 2016 ford escape that apparently has a known coolant leak issue that is caused by a bad engine block. When I bought the car in 2021 I had to wait two weeks to get the car so they could fix a cylinder misfire issue.”
Recalls
4 campaigns on file. Check a specific car with our VIN recall check.
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater
· 26V011000 · 2026-01-16
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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: 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.
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
· 25V695000 · 2025-10-14
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.
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: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
· 22V413000 · 2022-06-10
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. Additiona…
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.
Air bags:knee bolster
· 17V398000 · 2017-06-26
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.
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: 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.
Investigations
Manufacturer communications
Service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer filed with NHTSA. They are not recalls.
Electrical system 30 documents (2015-10-01 – 2022-05-24)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-05-24 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2021-08-27 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2021-08-16 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2021-06-02 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2020-06-17 | service bulletin | Electrical system, equipment |
| 2019-11-21 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2019-08-07 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2019-06-24 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2019-04-26 | service bulletin | Electrical system, equipment:appliance:air conditioner |
| 2019-03-18 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2019-02-22 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2019-02-22 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2019-01-17 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2018-12-14 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2018-12-10 | service bulletin | Electrical system, equipment:other:owners/service/other manual |
| 2018-09-21 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2018-09-10 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2018-08-02 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2018-06-22 | service bulletin | Electrical system, equipment |
| 2018-03-19 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2017-11-29 | service bulletin | Electrical system, equipment |
| 2017-09-18 | service bulletin | Electrical system, equipment:appliance:air conditioner |
| 2016-09-19 | service bulletin | Electrical system, equipment:electrical |
| 2016-08-18 | service bulletin | Electrical system, equipment, visibility:power window devices and controls |
| 2016-08-03 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2016-07-01 | service bulletin | Electrical system, equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning … |
| 2016-07-01 | service bulletin | Electrical system, equipment |
| 2016-04-05 | service bulletin | Electrical system |
| 2016-04-01 | service bulletin | Electrical system, equipment |
| 2015-10-01 | service bulletin | Electrical system, equipment |
Equipment 22 documents (2015-07-01 – 2024-04-24)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-04-24 | service bulletin | Equipment |
| 2019-02-05 | service bulletin | Equipment, power train |
| 2019-01-17 | service bulletin | Equipment |
| 2018-09-13 | service bulletin | Equipment |
| 2018-06-22 | service bulletin | Equipment, equipment adaptive/mobility, electrical system |
| 2018-06-15 | service bulletin | Equipment, electrical system |
| 2018-04-13 | service bulletin | Equipment, electrical system |
| 2018-03-30 | service bulletin | Equipment |
| 2016-12-22 | service bulletin | Equipment |
| 2016-11-02 | service bulletin | Equipment |
| 2016-10-27 | service bulletin | Equipment |
| 2016-08-15 | service bulletin | Equipment, visibility |
| 2016-07-01 | service bulletin | Equipment, electrical system |
| 2016-05-06 | service bulletin | Equipment |
| 2016-04-20 | service bulletin | Equipment, equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system) |
| 2015-10-28 | service bulletin | Equipment, electrical system |
| 2015-10-26 | service bulletin | Equipment |
| 2015-10-22 | service bulletin | Equipment |
| 2015-10-19 | service bulletin | Equipment |
| 2015-08-01 | service bulletin | Equipment |
| 2015-07-01 | service bulletin | Equipment |
| 2015-07-01 | service bulletin | Equipment |
Engine 16 documents (2015-10-23 – 2019-04-26)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-04-26 | service bulletin | Engine |
| 2018-08-23 | service bulletin | Engine |
| 2018-07-02 | service bulletin | Engine, electrical system |
| 2018-01-08 | service bulletin | Engine, power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive) |
| 2017-03-21 | service bulletin | Engine, equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2017-01-23 | service bulletin | Engine, equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2017-01-10 | service bulletin | Engine |
| 2016-12-22 | service bulletin | Engine |
| 2016-12-09 | service bulletin | Engine |
| 2016-10-10 | service bulletin | Engine |
| 2016-09-14 | service bulletin | Engine, electrical system:software, power train:automatic transmission:control … |
| 2016-08-03 | service bulletin | Engine |
| 2016-07-08 | service bulletin | Engine |
| 2016-03-17 | service bulletin | Engine, fuel system, gasoline |
| 2016-02-05 | service bulletin | Engine, equipment, power train, air bags, fuel/propulsion system, structure |
| 2015-10-23 | service bulletin | Engine |
Service brakes 9 documents (2016-06-23 – 2022-12-16)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-12-16 | service bulletin | Service brakes |
| 2022-11-04 | service bulletin | Service brakes |
| 2022-10-06 | service bulletin | Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2021-08-25 | service bulletin | Service brakes, electric:software/programming |
| 2017-01-24 | service bulletin | Service brakes |
| 2016-10-17 | service bulletin | Service brakes |
| 2016-10-17 | service bulletin | Service brakes |
| 2016-09-09 | service bulletin | Service brakes, hydraulic, equipment |
| 2016-06-23 | service bulletin | Service brakes |
Electrical system:software 9 documents (2016-05-13 – 2021-12-23)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-12-23 | service bulletin | Electrical system:software, equipment:electrical:navigational system(global pos… |
| 2020-08-06 | service bulletin | Electrical system:software |
| 2018-04-04 | service bulletin | Electrical system:software |
| 2017-10-30 | service bulletin | Electrical system:software, equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc. |
| 2017-09-28 | service bulletin | Electrical system:software |
| 2017-09-21 | service bulletin | Electrical system:software |
| 2017-09-13 | service bulletin | Electrical system:software |
| 2016-09-07 | service bulletin | Electrical system:software, power train:automatic transmission:control module (… |
| 2016-05-13 | service bulletin | Electrical system:software |
Engine and engine cooling 8 documents (2017-11-23 – 2024-03-06)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-03-06 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2021-05-24 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling, power train:automatic transmission |
| 2020-09-25 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2019-06-13 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2018-08-13 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2018-03-30 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2018-01-08 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2017-11-23 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling, equipment |
Power train 8 documents (2016-07-13 – 2022-04-26)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-04-26 | service bulletin | Power train |
| 2021-03-10 | service bulletin | Power train |
| 2020-04-03 | service bulletin | Power train |
| 2019-12-20 | service bulletin | Power train |
| 2019-05-10 | service bulletin | Power train |
| 2019-02-05 | service bulletin | Power train, power train:axle assembly:axle shaft:seal |
| 2016-08-03 | service bulletin | Power train |
| 2016-07-13 | service bulletin | Power train |
Equipment:electrical 7 documents (2017-04-18 – 2018-01-29)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-01-29 | service bulletin | Equipment:electrical |
| 2018-01-29 | service bulletin | Equipment:electrical, electrical system:software, electrical system, equipment |
| 2018-01-10 | service bulletin | Equipment:electrical |
| 2018-01-10 | service bulletin | Equipment:electrical, equipment |
| 2017-11-22 | service bulletin | Equipment:electrical |
| 2017-10-06 | service bulletin | Equipment:electrical |
| 2017-04-18 | service bulletin | Equipment:electrical, back over prevention: camera system |
Show all 41 categories
Seats 6 documents (2015-08-13 – 2022-03-21)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-03-21 | service bulletin | Seats, equipment, equipment:mechanical |
| 2021-07-22 | service bulletin | Seats |
| 2020-05-18 | service bulletin | Seats, structure:frame and members:underbody shields |
| 2018-12-04 | service bulletin | Seats, equipment |
| 2018-04-10 | service bulletin | Seats, electrical system |
| 2015-08-13 | service bulletin | Seats |
Equipment:appliance:air conditioner 6 documents (2015-06-01 – 2019-09-23)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-09-23 | service bulletin | Equipment:appliance:air conditioner, engine and engine cooling |
| 2019-08-14 | service bulletin | Equipment:appliance:air conditioner |
| 2018-10-18 | service bulletin | Equipment:appliance:air conditioner |
| 2016-06-07 | service bulletin | Equipment:appliance:air conditioner |
| 2016-05-10 | service bulletin | Equipment:appliance:air conditioner |
| 2015-06-01 | service bulletin | Equipment:appliance:air conditioner |
Unknown or other 4 documents (2020-03-09 – 2024-11-27)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-11-27 | service bulletin | Unknown or other |
| 2024-10-10 | service bulletin | Unknown or other |
| 2024-05-27 | service bulletin | Unknown or other |
| 2020-03-09 | service bulletin | Unknown or other, electrical system |
Electrical system:12V/24V/48V battery 4 documents (2015-07-30 – 2017-03-23)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2017-03-23 | service bulletin | Electrical system:12V/24V/48V battery |
| 2016-10-14 | service bulletin | Electrical system:12V/24V/48V battery |
| 2015-08-01 | service bulletin | Electrical system:12V/24V/48V battery, electrical system: instrument cluster/pa… |
| 2015-07-30 | service bulletin | Electrical system:12V/24V/48V battery |
Structure 3 documents (2016-02-05 – 2023-04-04)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-04-04 | service bulletin | Structure |
| 2017-11-03 | service bulletin | Structure |
| 2016-02-05 | service bulletin | Structure, fuel/propulsion system, electrical system, power train, engine, air … |
Equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc. 3 documents (2016-10-26 – 2018-02-14)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-02-14 | service bulletin | Equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc. |
| 2018-02-09 | service bulletin | Equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc. |
| 2016-10-26 | service bulletin | Equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc. |
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual 3 documents (2015-08-01 – 2017-03-08)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2017-03-08 | service bulletin | Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual |
| 2016-05-09 | service bulletin | Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual |
| 2015-08-01 | service bulletin | Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual |
Equipment adaptive/mobility 2 documents (2017-07-14 – 2021-05-18)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-05-18 | service bulletin | Equipment adaptive/mobility, power train, equipment |
| 2017-07-14 | service bulletin | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
Visibility 2 documents (2016-01-22 – 2019-08-09)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-08-09 | service bulletin | Visibility, visibility:glass, side/rear |
| 2016-01-22 | service bulletin | Visibility, visibility:rearview mirrors/devices |
Tires 2 documents (2015-07-01 – 2018-11-01)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-11-01 | service bulletin | Tires |
| 2015-07-01 | service bulletin | Tires |
Suspension 2 documents (2017-03-28 – 2018-07-18)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-07-18 | service bulletin | Suspension, equipment |
| 2017-03-28 | service bulletin | Suspension |
Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system) 2 documents (2017-10-06 – 2017-11-29)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2017-11-29 | service bulletin | Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system), electrical… |
| 2017-10-06 | service bulletin | Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system) |
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) 2 documents (2016-09-21 – 2017-11-02)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2017-11-02 | service bulletin | Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm), electrical sy… |
| 2016-09-21 | service bulletin | Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm), power train:a… |
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel 2 documents (2016-12-02 – 2017-03-13)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2017-03-13 | service bulletin | Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel |
| 2016-12-02 | service bulletin | Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel |
Steering 2 documents (2016-03-01 – 2016-11-17)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2016-11-17 | service bulletin | Steering |
| 2016-03-01 | service bulletin | Steering, equipment, electrical system, visibility, structure |
Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior 2 documents (2015-08-14 – 2016-03-03)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2016-03-03 | service bulletin | Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior |
| 2015-08-14 | service bulletin | Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior |
Suspension:rear 1 document (2019-03-14)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-03-14 | service bulletin | Suspension:rear, suspension |
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly 1 document (2018-11-21)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-11-21 | service bulletin | Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly |
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger 1 document (2018-11-14)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-11-14 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger |
Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock 1 document (2018-07-26)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-07-26 | service bulletin | Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock, trailer hitches, electrical sys… |
Back over prevention 1 document (2017-11-29)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2017-11-29 | service bulletin | Back over prevention, equipment, lane departure, electrical system |
Back over prevention: camera system 1 document (2017-10-06)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2017-10-06 | service bulletin | Back over prevention: camera system |
Power train:manual transmission:shift pattern indicator 1 document (2017-02-02)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2017-02-02 | service bulletin | Power train:manual transmission:shift pattern indicator |
Visibility:windshield 1 document (2016-10-27)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2016-10-27 | service bulletin | Visibility:windshield |
Tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems 1 document (2016-10-26)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2016-10-26 | service bulletin | Tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems |
Seat belts 1 document (2016-09-30)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2016-09-30 | service bulletin | Seat belts, seat belts:front:retractor |
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control 1 document (2016-09-21)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2016-09-21 | service bulletin | Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control, engine and engine co… |
Vehicle speed control 1 document (2016-09-14)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2016-09-14 | service bulletin | Vehicle speed control |
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate 1 document (2016-08-31)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2016-08-31 | service bulletin | Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate, trailer hitches |
Structure:frame and members 1 document (2016-05-04)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2016-05-04 | service bulletin | Structure:frame and members, tires |
Fuel/propulsion system 1 document (2016-03-17)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2016-03-17 | service bulletin | Fuel/propulsion system |
Power train:manual transmission 1 document (2015-07-01)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-07-01 | service bulletin | Power train:manual transmission, power train:automatic transmission |
Electrical system:ignition 1 document (2015-06-01)
| Date | Type | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-06-01 | service bulletin | Electrical system:ignition |
173 communications on file, grouped into 41 categories.
Fuel economy
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escape FWD | 1.6L 4cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 31 | 26 |
| Escape AWD | 1.6L 4cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 |
| Escape FWD | 2.5L 4cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 |
| Escape FWD | 2.0L 4cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 |
| Escape AWD | 2.0L 4cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 23 |
Safety ratings
| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Ford Escape SUV AWD | ★★★★ 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| 2016 Ford Escape SUV FWD | ★★★★ 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Built from NHTSA, EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and EIA records with fixed rules; complaint counts reflect reporting, not defect rates. How we make CarTold · Methodology · Buyer guides