2016 Ford Escape Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Ford Escape has a Complaint Index of 55 and ranks 10th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 1,123 complaints, 4 recalls, and 36 crashes, with Transmission & Powertrain the top problem area at 28% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 55/100
- #10 of 21 Escape years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,123
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 36
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 10
- Injuries
- 19
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 19 / 0
Top 2016 Ford Escape problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain320 (28%)
- Engine263 (23%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras214 (19%)
- Other153 (14%)
- Electrical System96 (9%)
- Steering73 (7%)
- Fuel System70 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires41 (4%)
- Brakes29 (3%)
- Airbags24 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration or unexplained forward lurches while parking at low speeds, resulting in collisions with vehicles, curbs, or storefronts.
- Some drivers report the engine compartment catching fire while the vehicle was parked and unattended.
- Several complaints describe airbags failing to deploy during moderate-speed crashes, sometimes paired with seat belts that failed to lock or retract.
- One driver reported the steering wheel locking up mid-turn at low speed, causing loss of control.
- A driver reported the vehicle shutting off unexpectedly while traveling at highway speed, leading to a rear-end collision.
2016 Ford Escape recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V011000Jan 15, 2026Other116,672 vehicles
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.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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. 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.
- NHTSA 25V695000Oct 13, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,448,655 vehicles
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.
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. 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.
- NHTSA 22V413000Jun 10, 2022Transmission & Powertrain2,925,968 vehicles
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.
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.
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. 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.
2016 Ford Escape fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Ford Escape reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2016 Escape has a Complaint Index of 55, ranking 10th worst among 21 model years, which earns it a Caution verdict relative to other Escape years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Escape?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up 28% of reports, followed by Engine issues at 23% and Collision Avoidance & Cameras problems at 19%, according to NHTSA.
- Does the 2016 Ford Escape have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Escape, covering a driver's knee airbag missing inflator material, a rearview camera issue, a shifter cable bushing problem, and an engine block heater that may crack and leak coolant.
- How many complaints and crashes does NHTSA report for the 2016 Escape?
- NHTSA logs 1,123 complaints for the 2016 Escape, including 36 crashes, 10 fires, and 19 injuries.
- What is the median mileage when problems occurred on the 2016 Escape?
- Across all complaints, the median mileage at failure was 78,000 miles, though Transmission & Powertrain issues showed a median of 88,000 miles.