Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 25 MPH and coming to a stop at the stop light, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly and crashed into the rear end of another occupied vehicle. The air bags deployed. The contact sustained soreness on the neck and shoulders but did not seek medical assistance. The passenger of the other vehicle sustained injuries but did not seek medical assistance. A police report was filed. The contact was towed to a tow lot. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they did not have the parts for recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 ( Power Train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000. The consumer stated the repairs were performed on 1/5/22.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the transmission was slipping. The contact stated that the RPM increased, and the vehicle decelerated. The vehicle was shifted into neutral and pushed out of the roadway. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the third gear had an incorrect ratio. The fluid condition was filled with material, and an overhaul of the transmission was recommended. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 65-70 mph, the vehicle decelerated without warning. The vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The contact was unable to shift the vehicle into drive or reverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was revving abnormally. The vehicle was restarted and driven off the highway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
We bought a 2016 Ford Escape on 25 June 2021, from Phil Long Ford in Motor City, Colorado Springs, CO. for approx. $21,000. Mileage was 62,783k. In Aug and Sept 2021, we brought the car back to Phil Long and told them there was a transmission issue that intermittently occurred on highway speeds. When passing there was an extremely rough shift that felt like a car ran into the back of us. This created a safety issue when driving. Phil Long reluctantly test drove the car and said they couldn't do anything as they didn't experience the extremely rough shift. This rough shift continued to happen about once every couple of weeks. We brought the car to Transmission Clinic in CO Springs and they confirmed that we needed a new transmission. On 02 June 2022, we paid $4,992 and got the transmission replaced. …
When driving the car at interstate speeds the transmission overheats after just a few minutes. When this happens it triggers the car's information system to send a message stating "Transmission Fault Service Engine Now." Just a moment or two later it sends another message stating "Speeds Reduced To Lower Engine Temperature." Once that message is received you no longer have any throttle control and speed will continue to decline, speed dropped from 70 mph to 30 is maybe an minute, until you pull over and let the transmission cool down. This is especially hazardous on the interstate if your in faster moving traffic with cars behind you and you can no longer accelerate with no way to signal this to the traffic behind you except the four ways. The problem seems to be the fan to cool the transmission never gets the signal to turn on and cool down the transmission. …
I was driving and my car felt like it changed from drive to neutral without any physical prompt on my part. The for escape kept rolling away and I was able to bring it to a parking lot. I was able to turn the vehicle off and tried turning it back on again. It felt like it was changing gears without being touched. It kept trying to move forward and reversing when it was on park. I was scared so I turned the car off and put the emergency break because of the strange shifting between gears that was happening. I had to have the vehicle towed as it is now inoperable. It is at the shop and is currently untouched . A few days later I found found has recalled my vehicle for transmission issues. I am now careless with no help in sight.
Uncontrollable acceleration increase; Difficult and rough starting; Engine overheating warning lights and message alerts; Coolant empty and no visible leak; Continued loss of coolant; Copious moisture smelling of anti freeze coming from exhaust; Check engine light codes: P1450, P1450 pd, PO302
The vehicle experienced multiple critical system failures within one week of purchase: Transmission failure (slipping, delayed shifting, and stalling during acceleration) Braking system malfunction (brakes jump or pulse when pressed, inconsistent stopping) Fluid leakage inside the cabin near the gas and brake pedals (believed to be either brake fluid or transmission fluid) The vehicle is currently undrivable and can be made available for inspection upon request. The vehicle became a severe safety hazard while I was operating it with my infant child in the car. The brakes were unresponsive and unpredictable, creating near-miss situations when trying to stop. The transmission failure caused stalling at intersections and hesitation when accelerating, putting me at risk of being rear-ended. The fluid leak near the pedals presents a possible fire hazard or the risk of further brake failure. …
On December 13, 2017 I was in the process of parking in front of a place of business, the business was in a public parking lot and I was going at most 25 MPH before starting to park. I had my foot on the brake and was 1/4-1/2 way in the parking place when the car suddenly accelerated, the car went thru the plate glass window, thankfully no one was hurt! The police were called and as I was the only vehicle I was found at fault, cause 'excessive speed'. The car accelerated so fast I didn't have a chance to react. The tires did not touch the curb and seemed to fly thru the air. My vehicle was totaled due to the damage to the front end and frame. From what I have read it appears to be a throttle issue - stuck open. I do have a police report if needed but it only says I was at fault, excessive speed and that the building was damaged.
Tl* the contact owned a 2016 Ford Escape. While the contact was at a car wash, the accelerator pedal became stuck. As a result, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and went airborne. The vehicle crashed head on into some bushes. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that the vehicle had shown signs of suddenly accelerating previously when attempting to speed up. The contact was not injured, but was currently under her doctor's care and taking several pain medications. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was totaled and both front tires were flat. The vehicle was towed and was being inspected by the insurance company. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 29,954.
Acceleration complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2016 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2016 Ford Escape, 3% of the model year's 1,162 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Ford Escape acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2016 Ford Escape, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Escape acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 22,000 miles, and 54% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.