2016 Ford Escape Problems

1,081 owner complaints filed with the United States safety regulator · top issue: Power Train · verdict AVOID 25/100

Source NHTSA public complaint and recall record · methodology

What breaks, by owner reports

Power Train319
Engine195
Back Over Prevention182
Unknown Or Other148
Electrical System88
Steering71

In the owners’ words

“recall has remedy not available since Oct 13, 2025 for the rear view camera. This has been an issue in several models of Ford vehicles. I have a 2019 FORD MUSTANG that had the same issue and the recall was completed in 5 months. the manufacturer has failed to provide a remedy for 10 months.”NHTSA complaint, 2016 Ford Escape owner
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the camera screen was blank. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were on back order. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximat”NHTSA complaint, 2016 Ford Escape owner
“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 reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a blank image. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the recall repair could not be completed because parts were not ”NHTSA complaint, 2016 Ford Escape owner

Recall campaigns

ReportedComponentSummary
26/06/2017Air Bags:Knee Bolster SAFETYFord 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
10/06/2022Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)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 transmissio
13/10/2025Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraFord 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
15/01/2026Equipment:Electrical:Engine Block Heater SAFETYFord 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

Questions owners ask

Is the 2016 Ford Escape reliable?

On the federal record it scores 25/100: 1,081 owner complaints (108.1 per year on the road) and 4 recall campaigns, 2 touching safety-critical systems.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Ford Escape?

The most-reported component in NHTSA complaints is Power Train, with 319 of 1003 categorised reports.

Share this verdict

The 2016 Ford Escape scored 25/100 on the federal record.

Full 2016 data pagecosts, verdict, every numberAll Escape yearswhich year to avoid Most complained-about carsthe national ranking