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 owned a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was in the park position on top of a hill and after they returned approximately a short time later they returned finding the vehicle rolled down the hill and crashed into a tree. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. A police report was not filed. There were no injuries. The dealer was not informed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to respond. The oil warning light was illuminated with an abnormally loud whirring sound. The contact then turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle started working properly. On another occasion while driving into school parking lot, the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard and the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact struck the curve and the vehicle drove onto the grass and came to a stop. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with internal gear failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel became inoperable. The traction control, the ABS, the brakes, and the knee air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the Police Department mechanic VIPD Motor Pool, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS module had failed, causing other electrical failures. The mechanic determined that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the traction control and brake warning lights were illuminated. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 120,022.
This has been an intermittent problem that Ford dealership cannot rectify unless it happens to them. Because I can't make it happen, and it has not happened close to a dealership, they cannot see it. The brakes seize up and won't stop the vehicle. I have no idea when it will happen - it happens with no warning. It has happened in the mountains in NC and on the highway, in a gas station, in parking lots and in my garage among other places. It is very frightening. Last night when it happened it lasted for about 45 minutes - the longest ever, and the brakes made a terrible blaring noise. When the brakes seize up, I have to drive very slowly and practically stand up on the brakes to bring the car to a halt. Thankfully it has not happened at high speed. This puts me, any passengers and other vehicles and their passengers and drivers at risk. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. Additionally, while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle shuddered and lost motive power. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road, where a passerby assisted the contact in disconnecting and reconnecting the battery, and the vehicle was restarted but lost motive power while attempting to accelerate. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to the residence. …
The component that malfunctioned was my transmission according to the mechanic. I was driving and all the sudden my car stopped and wouldn't go, then the accelerator started going to the max but nothing happened. My first thought was a flat tire and after I checked my tires it wasn't flat. I started my car back up and it did the same thing eventually stalling and not moving at all. The wheel locked and would not move to steer or release. I had to get it towed. This is a huge safety issue concern because it stopped in the middle of the road while I was driving putting my life and others at risk. It's available for inspection upon request.The problem was confirmed by a mechanic in which he said there was a recall at some point on the transmission for my vehicle but he was unsure if it was still active. There were no warning lamps or signs and there still isn't present on my dash. …
I bought a 2016 Ford Escape SE 2 Days ago and just found out it had no back Brake Pads of any measurable thickness, and the Front Brake Pads were nearly as thin. Does not meet Oregon Used Car Sales Laws. Can you help me ? Call the Dealer so they fix them ? Thank you, [redacted]
On October 16, 2022, I purchased a 2016 Ford Escape from the Stowasser Buick GMC car lot. I have had numerous problems with this vehicle since the beginning. On November 1, 2022, I took my car to their service department because it was running poorly. The mechanics worked on my vehicle and returned it to me. However, on January 8, 2023, I had to take my vehicle back to Stowasser shop because it was again running poorly. This time, they had to install a new motor. At that time, my mileage was 49,000, but when the vehicle was returned to me, it had 75,000 miles on it. I asked why the mileage had increased so significantly, but they kept changing the subject and never provided an answer. When I went to pick up my vehicle, the salesperson who sold me the vehicle whispered to me that my vehicle needed new tires badly. I feel this was something the dealer should have addressed. …
I was driving about 60 MPH on interstate 95 when the vehicle suddenly shut off while in motion and I ran into the back of a 18 wheeler truck. Thankfully I was not hurt. Ford insists they cannot find anything wrong with the car.
Brake complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2016 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the brakes of the 2016 Ford Escape, 2% of the model year's 1,162 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 Ford Escape brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes 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.