NHTSA data · free2016 Ford EscapeProblems: Top Complaints, Recalls & Failures (NHTSA)
Every owner complaint and safety recall the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has on file for the 2016 Ford Escape, ranked by the component that failed most.
Complaints on file
1,156
Recalls issued
4
Crashes reported
37
Fires reported
10
What breaks most
- Power Train320 complaints · 27.7%
- Back Over Prevention241 complaints · 20.8%
- Engine200 complaints · 17.3%
- Electrical System95 complaints · 8.2%
- Steering71 complaints · 6.1%
Recalls on this model year
- 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
Campaign 17V398000 · reported 26/06/2017 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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.
Campaign 22V413000 · reported 10/06/2022 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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 wh
Campaign 25V695000 · reported 13/10/2025 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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.
Campaign 26V011000 · reported 15/01/2026 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
What owners report
Power Train
- On July 7, 2026, at approximately 113,080 miles, my 2016 Ford Escape displayed a “Transmission Fault – Service Now” warning. The exact failed component is currently UNKNOWN, but the issue appears to i
- Statement in uploaded files
- The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle sputtered and intermittently lost motive power. The message "Transmission Fault" was displa
Back Over Prevention
- The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to complete the recall repair was unavailable. The
- The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera was intermittently inoperable and displayed an inverted, cloudy, or flickering image. The contact rece
- The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet availabl
Engine
- Vehicle check engine light appeared on screen. Appeared that coolant hose popped off. Dealer determined that system had multiple leaks. Replaced thermostat housing, coolant crossover and heater core h
- Bought car in 2023, one year later engine failure due to overheating from head gasket issue widespread with this vehicle. Replaced engine, and two years later facing identical issue with another engin
- On July 7, 2026, at approximately 113,080 miles, my 2016 Ford Escape displayed a “Transmission Fault – Service Now” warning. The exact failed component is currently UNKNOWN, but the issue appears to i
Electrical 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 ge
- Recall under 25SA9 has not been remedied a whole year later. Not having my back up camera has caused safety incidents. And a few damages from things I could not see
- Rear view camera fails frequently displaying a distorted image or no image with an error message. This creates danger to all parties involved and unnecessary risk to property. Manufacturer issued a r
Steering
- The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Assist" was displayed. The vehicle was restarted, and the message was no longer di
- While driving the car, the electronic power assist steering stopped working, making it extremely difficult to steer and drove straight into a curb. Was able to slowly back the car up then very careful
- Car started with loss of steering fault, then power steering completely failed and car was not driveable.
Excerpts are anonymized owner complaints as filed with NHTSA, trimmed to 200 characters.
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