NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,115 reports12,000 miles · Mar 23, 2018
StructureVisibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH OR MORE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL WHISTLING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A 3/8 GAP BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND PLASTIC TRIM. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (CROSSROADS FORD OF INDI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH OR MORE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL WHISTLING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A 3/8 GAP BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND PLASTIC TRIM. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (CROSSROADS FORD OF INDIAN TRAIL, 88 DALE JARRETT BLVD, INDIAN TRAIL, NC 28079) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: PAF-14252656-R9Y2C0. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.
NHTSA ODI #11081045
36,340 miles · Mar 13, 2018
Steering
THE CAR HAS ONLY 36,400 MILES AND THE STEERING SENSOR IS COMING ON AND WHEN DOSE IT MAKES THE CAR HARDER TO STEER. YOU HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR TO RESET THE POWER STEERING SENSOR. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN ABOUT EVERY DAY NOW.
NHTSA ODI #11079007
72,000 miles · Mar 8, 2018
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAULT ERROR MESSAGE WENT ON TWICE OVER THE COURSE OF 10 DAYS. THEN WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE SAME MESSAGE KEPT GOING OFF WITH AN ALARM. IT WOULDN'T GO OFF AND THE CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH. WE BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO OUR FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION MODULE WAS BAD AND THE COST @1K. THE CAR IS…
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TRANSMISSION FAULT ERROR MESSAGE WENT ON TWICE OVER THE COURSE OF 10 DAYS. THEN WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE SAME MESSAGE KEPT GOING OFF WITH AN ALARM. IT WOULDN'T GO OFF AND THE CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH. WE BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO OUR FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION MODULE WAS BAD AND THE COST @1K. THE CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND THIS SEEMS TO US TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. WE HAVE HAD 5 OTHER FORD VEHICLES AND DROVE THEM ALL TO 200K MILES WITHOUT HAVING TO REPLACE THIS TRANSMISSION MODULE. WE BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. HAS TO BE A DEFECTIVE PART.
NHTSA ODI #11076817
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
HESITATES ON QUICK EXECRATION. MOVING AT ANY SPEED AS FAR AS I CAN TELL. HAPPENS WERE EVER I "HIT THE GAS". BAD WHEN I NEED TO GET OUT OF THE WAY!
NHTSA ODI #11073396
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2018
Electrical System
WHILE PARKED, THE RADIO RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED. RADIO STATION BUTTONS HAVE TO BE PRESSED NUMEROUS TIME TO CHANGE THE STATION, WHETHER PARKED OR IN MOTION.
NHTSA ODI #11073335
17,000 miles · Feb 15, 2018
Visibility/wiper
THE BACK WINDSHIELD ON MY 2016 FORD ESCAPE SHATTERED FOR THE SECOND TIME WITHIN THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IN BOTH INSTANCES, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS WARMING UP THE CAR ONE MORNING AT MY RESIDENCE WITH THE BACK DEFROSTER ON. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE HAPPENED WHILE THE VEH…
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THE BACK WINDSHIELD ON MY 2016 FORD ESCAPE SHATTERED FOR THE SECOND TIME WITHIN THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IN BOTH INSTANCES, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS WARMING UP THE CAR ONE MORNING AT MY RESIDENCE WITH THE BACK DEFROSTER ON. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT THIS WEEK, WHICH I DID NOT DISCOVER UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY UPON APPROACHING THE VEHICLE. THE BACK DEFROSTER WAS USED WHILE WARMING UP THE VEHICLE THAT MORNING. THE CAUSE OF THIS IS UNKNOWN, HOWEVER, I SUSPECT IT MAY SOMEHOW BE RELATED EITHER WITH USE OF THE BACK DEFROSTER COMBINED WITH THE COLD WEATHER, OR PERHAPS SOMETHING STRUCTURALLY. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS OCCUR WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE I'VE DRIVEN BEFORE AND FOR IT TO HAPPEN TWICE LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS SOME SORT OF DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE, AS I DO NOT BELIEVE IT WAS HIT WITH A FOREIGN OBJECT, ESPECIALLY TWO TIMES. BESIDES THE COST AND INCONVENIENCE, I AM ALSO CONCERNED WITH A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE INVOLVING THE BACK WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA ODI #11073031
Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2018
Unknown Or Other
WATER LEAK - WHEN DRIVING IN ANY DEGREE OF RAIN, WATER LEAKS INTO THE CEILING SOMEWHERE. WE HAVE NO LUGGAGE RACK, NO SUNROOF, NO OBVIOUS SOURCES WHERE A LEAK MIGHT FORM. THE WATER GATHERS IN THE FRONT CEILING-LIGHTS AND DRIPS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S LEGS. WATER BUILDS UP IN THE CEILING FOAM AND VISIBLE WATERMARKS FORM O…
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WATER LEAK - WHEN DRIVING IN ANY DEGREE OF RAIN, WATER LEAKS INTO THE CEILING SOMEWHERE. WE HAVE NO LUGGAGE RACK, NO SUNROOF, NO OBVIOUS SOURCES WHERE A LEAK MIGHT FORM. THE WATER GATHERS IN THE FRONT CEILING-LIGHTS AND DRIPS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S LEGS. WATER BUILDS UP IN THE CEILING FOAM AND VISIBLE WATERMARKS FORM ON THE WINDSHIELD SUPPORT ARMS AND NEAR THE SUN-VISORS. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ONLINE, IT APPEARS THIS IS NOT A SINGULAR EVENT BUT RATHER A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE FORD ESCAPES IN RECENT YEARS. COUNTLESS PEOPLE NOTING THAT THEY TOOK THEIR ESCAPES TO FORD DEALERSHIPS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE LEAKS. IT HAS BEEN BLAMED ON EVERYTHING FROM EXTREME CONDENSATION LEVELS INSIDE THE CAR TO SOME TYPE OF VENT INTO THE CAR BEING BLOCKED AND BUILDING UP EXCESS FLUIDS...NONE OF WHICH MAKES ANY SENSE.
NHTSA ODI #11065581
51,000 miles · Jan 16, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
WHILE DRIVING ON 85N IN ATANTA, GA, WHILE ROUGHLY DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 65MPH IN THE MIDDLE LANE AT 7AM ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018, THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR SHUT COMPLETELY OFF AND WITH NO WARNING! I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF THE CAR WITH ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND HAVE APPROXIMATELY 51K MILES ON IT. FOR THIS CAR TO TURN…
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WHILE DRIVING ON 85N IN ATANTA, GA, WHILE ROUGHLY DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 65MPH IN THE MIDDLE LANE AT 7AM ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018, THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR SHUT COMPLETELY OFF AND WITH NO WARNING! I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF THE CAR WITH ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND HAVE APPROXIMATELY 51K MILES ON IT. FOR THIS CAR TO TURN OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON AN ATLANTA MAJOR INTERSTATE, NOT ONLY ENDANGERED MY LIFE BUT THE LIVES OF HUNDREDS OF OTHER DRIVERS! THANKFULLY THERE WAS A GAP IN THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME SO I WAS ABLE TO GUIDE THE CAR OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE SINCE WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL IN MOVEMENT BUT WITH NO POWER. I BARELY MADE ON TO THE SHOULDER. AFTER SITTING ON THE SHOULDER FOR OVER 30 MINS, WAITING ON A TOW TRUCK, THE CAR FINALLY STARTED BACK UP. I STILL HAD IT TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND HAVE MY MAINTENANCE DONE ON THE CAR. AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR 3 DAYS I WAS TOLD THAT THEY CAN NOT "DUPLICATE THE ERROR". DIAGNOSTICS WERE RUN ON THE CAR MULTIPLE TIMES AND NO ISSUES WERE FOUND. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. IT IS NOT NORMAL FOR A CAR TO TURN OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR INTERSTATE AND FOR THE CARS COMPUTER TO NOT HAVE A RECORD OF THE SHUT DOWN. IN ADDITION TO THAT, WHAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN BUT I AM INJURED OR INJURE SOMEONE ELSE! I'VE LOOKED AT OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE AND OTHER MOTORISTS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM; THE CAR TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING. SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THE 2016 FORD ESCAPE AND FORD ISN'T PROPERLY ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS!
NHTSA ODI #11063027
20,000 miles · Jan 7, 2018
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other
REAR END KNOCKING SOUND AFTER AND DURING BACKING UP, ALSO DURING LOW SPEED. THE ELECTRONIC RADIO, SYNC3, AUDIO SCREEN WILL NOT TURN ON IN MILDLY COLD TEMPERATURES (20F DEGREES).
NHTSA ODI #11061060
17,435 miles · Jan 7, 2018
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
DRIVING INTO PARKING LOT TO PARK AND THE CAR ACCELERATED JUMP 2 CURBS AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE. I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE FLOORED THE PEDAL FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. I THINK SOMETHING MALFUNCTIONED. I DID SEE ANOTHER SIMILAR REPORT DATED OCTOBER OF 2017 OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING AND FORD HAD A RECENT PAST OF ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. SO I'M…
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DRIVING INTO PARKING LOT TO PARK AND THE CAR ACCELERATED JUMP 2 CURBS AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE. I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE FLOORED THE PEDAL FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. I THINK SOMETHING MALFUNCTIONED. I DID SEE ANOTHER SIMILAR REPORT DATED OCTOBER OF 2017 OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING AND FORD HAD A RECENT PAST OF ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. SO I'M WONDERING IF IT IS A MALFUNCTION OF THE CAR
NHTSA ODI #11061025
Official recalls
4Jan 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.
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.
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.
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 ↗