Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Ford Edge owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard a rattling sound under the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to Auto Zone where it was placed on a diagnostic machine and the contact was informed that the vapor canister was faulty. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine long block had cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that prior to the failure, she had notified the dealer that she had lightly tapped the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle quickly accelerated without warning. The contact applied extra pressure on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle however, the contact lightly struck the bumper of another vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, a booming sound coming from the vehicle suddenly occurred. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, smoke was present coming from the engine compartment and flames were present from under the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene but the flames were no longer present upon arrival. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the transfer case had exploded and the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission failed to function as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the gear shifter seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed shifter cable bushing. The contact was informed that the shifter cable bushing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The repair was performed under recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train); however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission seized. The contact's service dog and the contact's disabled brother were stranded in the heat while waiting for the tow truck. The vehicle was repaired under warranty for the recall, but the failure reoccurred. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH the vehicle started to rattle and vibrate in the front end. The contact stated the vehicle started losing motive power and there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated she depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that she shifted the vehicle to "Sport (S)" mode and the vehicle continued to lose motive power. The contact stated that the RPM was fluctuating. The contact pulled off the roadway and turned the vehicle off and on. The contact stated that the vehicle operated normally until accelerating to 40 MPH, but the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was no longer operable. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling at a stop, the contact heard a rattling sound coming from under the hood. Additionally, the contact stated that while shifting gear, there was a delay while shifting into the intended gear. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the flex plate had cracked, and the torque converter failed and needed to be replaced. Initially, the contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to the dealer after receiving notification of Customer Satisfaction Program: 22N12. The contact was informed by the dealer that he was responsible for the repair cost. The contact stated that he was then informed by the dealer that previously there was no replacement or repair that was needed at the time. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact had the vehicle jump started. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the gear shift sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 44,000. The contact stated that due to the failure, the vehicle required a third battery install. The contact took the vehicle to another dealer and was informed that the gear shift sensor needed to be replaced, that this failure was common in other Ford models. The battery was being drained despite being in park. The contact has had no further issues since the repair.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with bearing failure. The contact was informed that the bearing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed torque converter and transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started jerking, vibrating, and failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty. The transmission was replaced however, the failure reoccurred and included a loud noise coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted and informed of the failure however, no assistance was provided. Additionally, the Back Over Prevention intermittently malfunctioned. An unknown software update was performed however, the failure persisted. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated while his wife was driving 50 mph, she heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission shift bushing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but while leaving the dealer, the contact continued to experience the failure. The contact drove back to the dealer and made them aware of the failure again. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was an abnormal odor inside the cabin of the vehicle and the contact heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated after parking the vehicle she continued to smell the abnormal odor outside of the vehicle. The contact stated while driving the vehicle to the local dealer, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving to the local dealer and was informed that the transfer case needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
Related recalls
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.
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.
Transmission complaints in other Edge years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2016 Ford Edge?
NHTSA has 88 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2016 Ford Edge, 10% of the model year's 926 complaints. The component named most often is transfer case (4-wheel drive) (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Ford Edge transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 22V-413 (shift linkage/cable/rod, Jun 10, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Edge transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.