2016 Ford Escape recalls, problems & safety ratings
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Ford Escape and 1,159 owner complaints. The most-reported problem areas are power train (321), back over prevention (242), engine (200). It earned a 4-star overall NHTSA safety rating. EPA-rated fuel economy is 23–26 mpg combined, depending on engine.
The 2016 ranks #9 of 14 Escape model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with more complaints than the average year (1,083). It has 4 recalls vs. an average of 10.7 per model year.
Recalls 4
Every recall NHTSA lists for the 2016 Ford Escape. Not every recall applies to every vehicle, so check your VIN. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
Equipment · electrical · engine block heater
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 prevention · sensing system · camera
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 train · automatic transmission · gear position indication (prndl)
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.
Air bags · knee bolster
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.
Common problems
From complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Complaints aren't verified, but patterns across hundreds of owners point to known weak spots.
Most-reported problem areas
By the numbers
Recent owner reports
My husband was in a 3 vehicle accident on 10/13/26 at 6:48am. Someone hit him from behind and pushed him into the truck in front of him. The car behind him hit him again, but harder than the first time, and made him hit the truck in front of him again. The second hit caused major damage to the front end of the vehicle and minor damage to the back. It did blow out both back tire…
Complete transmission failure while driving. Gears blew completely apart. Resulting in inability to safely maneuver vehicle out of roadway. Dealership replaced transmission at my expense. No warning or indication of imminent failure.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while geared in Reverse(R), the rearview camera would fail to display a clear view image as intended. A message "Rear Camera Unavailable" was displayed. The l…
Safety ratings
2016 Ford Escape SUV AWD
2016 Ford Escape SUV FWD
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for common configurations of the 2016 Ford Escape.
Escape AWD
Auto (S6) · 4 cyl · 1.6 L · Turbo
Regular
Escape AWD
Auto (S6) · 4 cyl · 2.0 L · Turbo
Regular
Escape FWD
Auto (S6) · 4 cyl · 1.6 L · Turbo
Regular
Escape FWD
Auto (S6) · 4 cyl · 2.0 L · Turbo
Regular
Other model years
Questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Escape have?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Ford Escape, most recently for equipment · electrical · engine block heater (01/15/2026). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Enter your VIN to check whether a recall applies to your vehicle.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Escape?
Based on 1,159 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are power train (321), back over prevention (242), engine (200).
Is the 2016 Ford Escape safe?
The 2016 Ford Escape earned a 4-star overall rating in NHTSA's 5-star safety ratings.
Is the 2016 a good year for the Ford Escape?
The 2016 ranks #9 of 14 Escape model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with more complaints than the average year (1,083). It has 4 recalls vs. an average of 10.7 per model year.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Ford Escape get?
EPA ratings for the 2016 Ford Escape range from 23 to 26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.
Own a 2016 Ford Escape in South Carolina?
Our mobile mechanics diagnose and fix the problems above at your home, office or fleet lot in Lexington, Columbia and the Midlands, with dealer-grade scan tools.
Related vehicles
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings APIs; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data retrieved October 21, 2026. NHTSA model names used: ESCAPE, Escape.