Total Complaints
1145 filings
FORD ESCAPE · model year
1145 NHTSA complaints, 46 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2016FORDESCAPE carries 1145 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 46 crashes, 14 fires, 31 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2016 ESCAPE is power train with 296 filings, followed by engine (179) and unknown or other (124). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 8 investigation files overlapping the 2016 ESCAPE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
1145 filings
Crashes Reported
46 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 296 |
| ENGINE | 179 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 124 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 79 |
| STEERING | 66 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 58 |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 57 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 48 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 30 |
| WHEELS | 28 |
| AIR BAGS | 22 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 16 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 14 |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA | 12 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 12 |
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
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.
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
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.
Transmission failed at 83000 miles with no warning or prior issues. I was driving home from work and the vehicle completely stalled out in traffic. Had it towed to a shop and was quoted nearly the cost that the vehicle is worth to have the transmission replaced.
I stopped at the end of my road and went to take a left and my car was in the road and didnât want to go. Luckily I wasnât hit and I got it out of the road. I believe itâs from the transmission.
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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera screen illuminated at start-up, but failed to display the image of the rear of the vehicle as needed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.
Mileage: 119,000
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Protection); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Mileage: 50,000
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rearview camera displayed an upside-down image. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The contact then 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 and confirmed that the part for 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 manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
Mileage: 78,000
Description of Incident: While operating the vehicle, the Check Engine Light (CEL) illuminated. I took the vehicle to an authorized dealership, where a diagnostic scan revealed fault code P0247. The dealership confirmed that the wastegate solenoid has failed. Safety Risk: The failure of the wastegate solenoid prevents the Engine Control Unit (ECU) from properly managing turbocharger boost levels. This results in "limp mode" or a significant reduction in acceleration and engine performance. Furthermore, improper boost regulation poses a long-term risk of catastrophic engine damage, which could lead to a stall or fire while the vehicle is in motion. Additional Information: DTC Code: P0247 (Turbocharger Wastegate Solenoid B) Symptoms: Check Engine Light, diminished throttle response. Repair Status: Confirmed by dealership diagnostic and completed.
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 rearview camera displayed a distorted image while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's ability to safely drive the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated, or messages of failure displayed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Mileage: 90,000
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 rearview camera image was initially blurry and then became inverted while in reverse(R). The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,200.
Mileage: 88,200
Recall issue: The vehicle failed and became disabled due to the shift cable bushing while in a parking lot on private property, with driver in the vehicle. The gear would not shift or go into park and continued to roll forward until either I hit the curb or applied the brake. Ford will not pay for the tow or diagnostic fee to have the problem diagnosed at another body shop (before I knew of the recall) Ford will not replace shift cable, only install protective cap. Recall issue: rearview camera displays distorted images, and does not always show rear view when backing up. It shows blank sometimes, and forward when reversing. Visibility unclear when backing. Ford will not replace as they say they do not have the parts to replace. This leaves the vehicle at high risk for safety issues.
Recall issue: The vehicle failed and became disabled due to the shift cable bushing while in a parking lot on private property, with driver in the vehicle. The gear would not shift or go into park and continued to roll forward until either I hit the curb or applied the brake. Ford will not pay for the tow or diagnostic fee to have the problem diagnosed at another body shop (before I knew of the recall) Ford will not replace shift cable, only install protective cap. Recall issue: rearview camera displays distorted images, and does not always show rear view when backing up. It shows blank sometimes, and forward when reversing. Visibility unclear when backing. Ford will not replace as they say they do not have the parts to replace. This leaves the vehicle at high risk for safety issues.
Recall issue: The vehicle failed and became disabled due to the shift cable bushing while in a parking lot on private property, with driver in the vehicle. The gear would not shift or go into park and continued to roll forward until either I hit the curb or applied the brake. Ford will not pay for the tow or diagnostic fee to have the problem diagnosed at another body shop (before I knew of the recall) Ford will not replace shift cable, only install protective cap. Recall issue: rearview camera displays distorted images, and does not always show rear view when backing up. It shows blank sometimes, and forward when reversing. Visibility unclear when backing. Ford will not replace as they say they do not have the parts to replace. This leaves the vehicle at high risk for safety issues.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that within a year of purchasing the vehicle, the reverse lights failed to illuminate while shifted into reverse(R). The vehicle was taken to a dealer for service; however, the mechanic informed the contact that the dealer was unaware of how to fix the vehicle. The contact stated that the rearview camera occasionally displayed an upside-down image while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer, and the dealer was unaware of how to fix the vehicle. The contact then 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 repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that within a year of purchasing the vehicle, the reverse lights failed to illuminate while shifted into reverse(R). The vehicle was taken to a dealer for service; however, the mechanic informed the contact that the dealer was unaware of how to fix the vehicle. The contact stated that the rearview camera occasionally displayed an upside-down image while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer, and the dealer was unaware of how to fix the vehicle. The contact then 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 repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable. The rearview camera failure was intermittent. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 26V011000 (Equipment); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 167,000.
Mileage: 167,000
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable. The rearview camera failure was intermittent. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 26V011000 (Equipment); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 167,000.
Mileage: 167,000
Transmission failed. This is the third transmission in this car, which only has 130,000 miles and has been well-maintained. This transmission failure happened in a busy downtown area with evening traffic (lower visibility, lots of cars, lots of people, lots of angry and impatient drivers as car stopped working in busy area). I am lucky that I was not rear ended during the sudden failure.
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 while shifted to reverse, the screen displayed an upside-down image. No warning light was illuminated. Several local dealers were contacted, including Chalmers Ford (2500 Rio Rancho Blvd SE, Corrales, NM 87048), Rich Ford Sales (8601 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112); however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Mileage: 80,000
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The back-over prevention camera had started to fail, and the image was blurry. The contact called the local dealer for several months to check on parts availability. The dealer informed the contact that the part was not available, and another notification would be sent when the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.
Mileage: 176,000
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 rear-view camera displayed a black screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). In addition, the alarm to warn the driver when a pedestrian was walking behind the vehicle or if an oncoming vehicle was behind the vehicle, failed to function as intended. The message "Rear-view camera Unavailable" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.
Steering went out suddenly and i was unable to move my steering wheel in the middle of driving. I had no warning lights or other symptoms before losing steering.
Failed Door Check Arm Attachment Point
Loss of Motive Power
Loss of power steering while driving
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.