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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

What owners actually said

1,115 reports
61,900 miles · May 18, 2018
Wheels

I HAD A FLAT TIRE . TRIED TO REMOVE LUGNUTS AND MY WRENCH WOULD NOT FIT LUGNUTS AND THE LUGNUTS I DID GET TO FIT WOULD NOT COME LOOSE. WE CALLED FORD ROADSIDE. ASSISTANCE. TECH EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING TRYING TO USE HIS POWER DRIVER TO REMOVE THEM. HE REPORTED THAT LUGNUTS WERE STRIPED DUE TO ALUMINUM COATIING AND THAT…

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I HAD A FLAT TIRE . TRIED TO REMOVE LUGNUTS AND MY WRENCH WOULD NOT FIT LUGNUTS AND THE LUGNUTS I DID GET TO FIT WOULD NOT COME LOOSE. WE CALLED FORD ROADSIDE. ASSISTANCE. TECH EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING TRYING TO USE HIS POWER DRIVER TO REMOVE THEM. HE REPORTED THAT LUGNUTS WERE STRIPED DUE TO ALUMINUM COATIING AND THAT CAUSED THE OVER TIGHTENING. I WAS STRANDED FOR 2 HOURS. WOULD NOT COME OFF DUE TO ALUMINUM COATING PLACED OVER STEEL THIS ENABLING WRENCH TO FIT. THE WEAK METAL ALUMINUM SWELLED AND WHEN MY TIRES WERE ROTATED OVER TIGHTENING OCCURED. . THIS HAPPENS BECAUSE THE ALUMINUM IS A WEAK METAL AND IT GIVES. A MAJOR ENGINEERING FLAW. OVER TIGHTENING THESE NUTS WILL CAUSE THE LUGNUTS TO BREAK OFF AND WHEEL COULD COME OFF AND CAUSE FATAL ACCIDENTS. I WAS ON A CITY STREET. I AM ENCOURAGING NHTSA TO CALL A RECALL NOT FOR MY BENEFIT BUT FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL WHO DRIVE THESE VEHICLES. LIVES ARE SOMETIMES LOST BECAUSE GOOD PEOPLE DO NOTHING. IS THERE A CHANCE A TIRE CAN COME OFF DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND OVERBECAUSE OF LUGNUTS BEING OVERTIGHTENED? IF THE ANSWER IS YES TO THIS QUESTION THEN THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS TO ISSUE A RECALL TO FORD. IT'S CALLED ACCOUNTABILITY. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #11096791

27,000 miles · May 16, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING. IS VERY DIFFICULT TO START BACK UP.

NHTSA ODI #11094081

65,000 miles · May 9, 2018
Engine

CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING. STARTS BACK UP

NHTSA ODI #11092756

7,411 miles · Apr 25, 2018
Steering

WHEN DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT NEARLY 70 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND WAS VERY HARD TO TURNBACK TO THE LEFT. COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11090132

7,411 miles · Apr 25, 2018
Steering

WHEN DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT NEARLY 70 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND WAS VERY HARD TO TURNBACK TO THE LEFT. COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11090131

7,411 miles · Apr 20, 2018
Steering

WHEN DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY AT NEARLY 70 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND WAS VERY HARD TO TURN TO THE LEFT. COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11089113

22,000 miles · Apr 18, 2018
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed ControlCrash

ON DECEMBER 13, 2017 I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING IN FRONT OF A PLACE OF BUSINESS, THE BUSINESS WAS IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT AND I WAS GOING AT MOST 25 MPH BEFORE STARTING TO PARK. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS 1/4-1/2 WAY IN THE PARKING PLACE WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, THE CAR WENT THRU THE PLATE GLASS WINDOW, T…

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ON DECEMBER 13, 2017 I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING IN FRONT OF A PLACE OF BUSINESS, THE BUSINESS WAS IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT AND I WAS GOING AT MOST 25 MPH BEFORE STARTING TO PARK. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS 1/4-1/2 WAY IN THE PARKING PLACE WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, THE CAR WENT THRU THE PLATE GLASS WINDOW, THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS HURT! THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND AS I WAS THE ONLY VEHICLE I WAS FOUND AT FAULT, CAUSE 'EXCESSIVE SPEED'. THE CAR ACCELERATED SO FAST I DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO REACT. THE TIRES DID NOT TOUCH THE CURB AND SEEMED TO FLY THRU THE AIR. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED DUE TO THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND FRAME. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ IT APPEARS TO BE A THROTTLE ISSUE - STUCK OPEN. I DO HAVE A POLICE REPORT IF NEEDED BUT IT ONLY SAYS I WAS AT FAULT, EXCESSIVE SPEED AND THAT THE BUILDING WAS DAMAGED.

NHTSA ODI #11088768

57,099 miles · Apr 16, 2018
Suspension

I'M HEARING A NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK EVERY TIME I HIT A BUMP WHEN THE STEERING ALL THE WAY TO LOCK RIGHT OR LEFT

NHTSA ODI #11088397

10,256 miles · Apr 12, 2018
Structure

LEAKS IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD,LETTING LARGE AMOUNTS OF WATER INTO THE VEHICLE OVER THE DASHBOARD AND ONTO THE TO FRONT DOORS CAUSING STAINS TO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE NOTE RETURTNED THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THREE TIME BEFORE THE PROBLE WAS FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #11084815

50,000 miles · Apr 2, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

AFTER FUELING CAR STALLS AND DIES.

NHTSA ODI #11082538

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