Most common 2016 Ford Escape problems
Share of the 1,162 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Escape complaints by model year
Best Escape years: 2025, 2012, 2023. Years to avoid: 2017, 2020, 2013, 2018, 2014. Compare all years →
2016 Ford Escape recalls (4)
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.
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.
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 when the vehicle is in reverse.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What 2016 Ford Escape owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 321 →
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Prior to receiving the notification, the contact stated that while driving out of a parking lot, she reversed and parked the vehicle to look for something. The contact opened the driver's side front door to exit the vehicle when the vehicle inadvertently rolled backward and she fell face first onto the ground. The vehicle ran over the contact's knees and crashed into a fence by the wall, then came to a complete stop. The contact chased after the vehicle and parked it in a parking space. The contact received medical attention for a sprained right ankle, a hematoma on the left knee, and tissue damage to both knees. No police report was filed. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while shifting the gear shifter to Reverse(R) out of a parking space, the vehicle inadvertently drove forward over two curves before crashing into two vehicles and then rolled backward and crashed into a third vehicle. Additionally, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle while the brake pedal was depressed. The air bags were not deployed upon impact. The contact sustained back pain from the collision; however, no medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop and was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. Prior to the failure, the dealer was contacted but confirmed that parts were not yet available. …
Engine & cooling all 247 →
The contact owned a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, there was smoke coming from the hood to the windshield. The contact pulled over and there were flames entering the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries reported. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away since it was not driveable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,681.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was hot(H). While inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the coolant level was low. The contact added coolant to the coolant reservoir; however, the failure returned within three days, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where visible leaks were found. The failure persisted, and the contact became aware of a coolant leak coming from the engine and called a mobile mechanic to the residence. The mechanic used an OBDII scanner and determined that the spark plugs, water pump, ignition coils, and thermostat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred 4 miles later while driving. …
Driver assistance all 244 →
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 exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that when in reverse, the back-over prevention camera would display a distorted or black screen intermittently. While reversing from an angled parking space downward, due to the failure of the back-over prevention screen, the contact was unable to view the rear of the vehicle and ended up crashing into the passenger door of another vehicle. There were no injuries sustained or medical attention required. The passenger door of the impacted vehicle was damaged. The police were not contacted, and no police report was filed. The dealer was not contacted. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing out of the garage at approximately 3 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a parked vehicle directly behind it. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a blank image. The parked vehicle sustained damage to the front driver's side fender. No air bags deployed. The vehicle was not towed. There was no warning light illuminated. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was not destroyed. No injuries were reported. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); as the possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 206,000.
2016 Ford Escape engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 23 / 31 / 26 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 30 / 25 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 22 / 29 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 21 / 28 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Ford Escape a good car?
Based on 1,162 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Escape rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Escape at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Ford Escape?
The transmission & drivetrain — 321 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the engine & cooling (247) and driver assistance (244).
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Escape have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2016 Ford Escape, the most recent from January 15, 2026 (engine block heater). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Escape?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2025, 2012 and 2023. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2017, 2020, 2013, 2018 and 2014. See the full Ford Escape years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Escape problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 78,000 miles; 25% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.