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Ford · NHTSA safety record

2016 Ford Escape

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 1,131 safety complaints about the 2016 Ford Escape with the US government. Of those, 36 describe a crash, 10 mention a fire, 19 people were injured and no death is recorded. 4 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 320 complaints, 28% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 78,000 miles, the median across the 620 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers October 2015 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

1,131 complaints on file

1,131

Complaints

36

Describe a crash

10

Mention fire

19

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints rose 49% year on year: 208 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 140 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
POWER TRAIN 320 · 28%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 222 · 20%
ENGINE 199 · 18%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 151 · 13%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 92 · 8%
STEERING 73 · 6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 61 · 5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 56 · 5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 32 · 3%
WHEELS 32 · 3%
AIR BAGS 24 · 2%
STRUCTURE 21 · 2%
0 131 262

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 1,131.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2026 at 242.

256 192 128 64
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2015 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2016 Ford ESCAPE, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 18.5% 19.1%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

4 on file

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

26V011000 · January 15, 2026

The defect
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.
The risk
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 116,672 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

25V695000 · October 13, 2025

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 1,448,655 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

22V413000 · June 10, 2022

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 2,925,968 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER

17V398000 · June 26, 2017

The defect
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."
The 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.
The remedy
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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 3 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 2,778 miles

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 75 NEAR BRADENTON IN FL. 1:00 P.M. PERFECTLY CLEAR & DRY DAY. I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND, SENT MY FORD INTO THE GRASSY MEDIAN, CAR CAME TO A STOP AT A WIRE GUARD RAIL. I DIDN'T HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS, SO I HAVE NO RECALL. THIS HAPPENED NEAR A CONSTRUCTION AREA & ALL I REMEMBER IS TRAFFIC SLOWING, PERHAPS I WAS GOING 45-50 MPH, & IN PROCESS OF SLOWING DOWN. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO LEFT FRONT & SIDE NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. MY HEAD/FACE APPARENTLY HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THEREFORE SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS DID NOT HOLD ME TIGHT TO THE SEAT. I WAS TAKEN TO E.R. - HAD A CONCUSSION, THEY DID LOTS OF TESTS, KEPT ME OVERNIGHT IN ICU, DISCHARGED

NHTSA complaint 10851954, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

2 injured · crash · towed · 96,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 25 MPH and coming to a stop at the stop light, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly and crashed into the rear end of another occupied vehicle. The air bags deployed. The contact sustained soreness on the neck and shoulders but did not seek medical assistance. The passenger of the other vehicle sustained injuries but did not seek medical assistance. A police report was filed. The contact was towed to a tow lot. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they did not have the parts for recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 ( Power

NHTSA complaint 11479550, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 156,000 miles

The contact's wife owned a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 45 MPH on the right lane and merging into the left lane, another vehicle violently crossed several lanes, causing the front of the vehicle to crash into the front driver's side of the other vehicle. The collision was mentioned to be a severe front-end impact, and the air bags did not deploy. The contact's wife sustained head, knee, stomach, chest, and neck injuries that required medical attention. The other vehicle's occupant received medical attention as well via the emergency room, but the injuries sustained were unknown. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a

NHTSA complaint 11654729, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured · fire · 100 miles

WHEN PURCHASE 2016 FORD ESCAPE WITHIN A MONTH SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON YOU CAN SMELL COOLANT SOMETINES SMOKE SMELL TOOK VEHICLE IN THEY TOLD IT WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT, FROM 2016 TO 2021 I HAD TO PURCHASE COOLANT OVER TEN TIMES IT WAS ALWAYS LOW THE SMELL CONTINUE TOO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COMES ON STAYS ON HOWEVER TOOK IT IN THREE TIMES WITH THE SAME ANSWER NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT IS FINE. I WROTE LETTERS TO FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS REPORTING ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL CONCERNS THAT NEEDS REPAIRING.-REPORTING MY EYES AND BREATHING WAS AFFECTED WHEN INSIDE THE FORD ESCAPE-SOMETIMES THE ENGINE WOULD TURN OFF THERE WAS ALSO AN ODOR OF SMOKE AND COOLANT THESE ISSUES CONTINUE DAILY.

NHTSA complaint 11390603, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION
See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA complaint 11768062. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION
See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA complaint 11768072. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

112,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rear-view camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rear-view camera image was blank. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.

NHTSA complaint 11767735. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

67,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rear-view camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rear-view camera image intermittently appeared and disappeared. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The approximate

NHTSA complaint 11767791, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

94,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received 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 in reverse(R), the rear-view camera was intermittently inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the rear-view camera needed to be replaced, but the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

NHTSA complaint 11767354. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

80,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received 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 in reverse, the rear-view camera was inoperable. Additionally, the parking assist and other safety features were inoperable. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were unavailable for the repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA complaint 11766861. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford Escape

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 24 9 —
2024 76 8 1
2023 99 11 —
2022 232 19 —
2021 348 19 —
2020 1,602 23 —
2019 588 3 —
2018 1,804 4 —
2017 2,689 4 —
2015 1,106 9 —
2014 2,086 16 4
2013 2,750 18 —
2012 602 1 —
2011 1,316 2 —
2010 2,070 3 —

Other 2016 Ford models

Explorer 2,455 F-150 2,059 Fusion 1,631 Focus 1,181 Edge 914 Mustang 378 F-250 SD 289 Expedition 217

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Ford on this site — 359 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst