Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 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. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 5 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vehicle was misfiring. Additionally, the independent mechanic diagnosed that cylinder #2 and the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where cylinder #2 was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that coolant was leaking into cylinder #2 and the engine needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic informed the contact that it was a manufactured defect. The vehicle was being taken to a third independent mechanic for engine replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering and chugging significantly. Additionally, the transmission was slipping between gears. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the engine was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 70-75 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle jerked and lunged forward. The contact also stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond while the engine was revving. The contact stated that he continuously depressed the accelerator pedal until the vehicle responded. The contact was able to continue driving. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel indicated that the engine was overheating. While driving at 35 MPH, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, where the vehicle experienced complete engine failure. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that coolant was leaking into the engine because of a fault in the engine block. The engine needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that it was a known failure with the vehicle and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The engine block failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V011000 (Equipment); however, the VIN was not included. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the engine misfired and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to another dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into cylinder #1, and engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had been persistent for a year. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the previous dealer several times due to the failure; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 25 MPH, she noticed white smoke coming from the exhaust. The driver pulled over into a gas station and called her husband to inform him of the failure and drove the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken a dealer and was inspected, and the technician became aware of a leak; however, the technician was unable to determine the location of the leak. The vehicle was then taken to another dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant leaking into cylinder #1. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 22-2229 (Eco boost 2.0L Engine Failures); however, the VIN was not included. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the engine started to sputter and the vehicle almost stalled. The contact stopped and placed the vehicle into park (P). The contact stated that the check engine light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been intermittent at first but gradually became constant. Additionally, the contact stated that white smoke was coming from the exhaust. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced due to coolant leaking into an engine cylinder. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired by their local dealer but within two to three weeks, the transmission went out again. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. In addition, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that a mobile mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a low-pressure fuel rail failure. The contact was informed that the low-pressure fuel rail needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with turbocharger failure. The contact was informed that the turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the engine overheated and an alarm sounded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the thermostat was replaced; however, the failure recurred while driving 23 MPH. The contact pulled to the side of the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine block had fractured, causing coolant intrusion in the cylinders. The mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. …
Engine complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2016 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 247 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2016 Ford Escape, 21% of the model year's 1,162 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system › hoses/lines/piping/fittings (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Ford Escape engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 6 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling 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.