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Model year record

2016 Ford Escape recalls & problems

The 2016 Ford Escape has 4 safety recalls and 1,175 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (326 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints1,175filed by owners
Crashes · fires39 · 10reported in complaints
NHTSA overall4 ★crash-test stars
2016 Ford Escape in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

EquipmentJan 15, 2026

Electrical › Engine block heater

Recall 26V011000116,672 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
Back over preventionOct 13, 2025

Sensing system › Camera

Recall 25V6950001,448,655 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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.
Risk
A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
Power trainJun 10, 2022

Shift linkage/cable/rod

Recall 22V4130002,925,968 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix
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. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

Components: Power train › Shift linkage/cable/rod; Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)

Air bagsJun 26, 2017

Knee bolster

Recall 17V3980003 vehicles

Problem
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
In the event of a crash, if the driver's knee air bag does not inflate as intended, the driver has an increased risk of injury.
Fix
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. Ford's number for this recall is 17C11.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2016 Ford Escape SUV AWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk18.5%

2016 Ford Escape SUV FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk19.1%
2016 Ford Escape NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2016 Ford Escape NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Escape FWD

26mpg combined
City / highway23 / 31 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Escape FWD

25mpg combined
City / highway22 / 30 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Escape AWD

25mpg combined
City / highway22 / 29 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Escape FWD

24mpg combined
City / highway21 / 29 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Escape AWD

23mpg combined
City / highway21 / 28 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Differential unit32661988,346 mi
Back over preventionRearview system braking; Sensing system › Camera26190086,050 mi
Engine20036264,000 mi
Unknown or other15742062,000 mi
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel; Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer9513143,734 mi
SteeringRack and pinion; Hydraulic power assist › Power steering fluid7340041,900 mi
Fuel/propulsion system6211068,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingCooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittings; Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/supercharger › Hoses/plumbing5700095,500 mi
WheelsLugs/nuts/bolts/studs3510045,247 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Throttle3360322,000 mi
Air bags251301146,617 mi
StructureBody; Body › Hatchback/liftgate2100129,902 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.