UsedScore

2016 Ford Escape: Best bet

Owners filed 280 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Escape in its first five years on the road, about 91 for every 100,000 sold: 0.4× the rate of a typical Escape year. That's among the fewest of any Escape year.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (29% of complaints, median 71,000 miles).

Complaint index
0.4×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Escape year
Rank
3rd of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
280
first five years; 91 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
4
campaigns
3rd generation, 2013–2019 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2013 Ford Escape SE

Photo: 2013 Ford Escape SE · IFCAR, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Powertrain29% · 80 complaints · median 71,000 miles
  2. Engine18% · 49 complaints · median 40,000 miles
  3. Air bags4% · 12 complaints · median 36,000 miles
  4. Fuel and propulsion13% · 37 complaints · median 67,000 miles
  5. Steering11% · 32 complaints · median 26,000 miles
  6. Speed control8% · 21 complaints · median 21,000 miles
  7. Electrical8% · 23 complaints · median 13,000 miles
  8. Brakes6% · 17 complaints · median 34,000 miles
  9. Seats and belts1% · 4 complaints
  10. Body and structure4% · 12 complaints · median 15,000 miles

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Air bags

Owners of this Escape report crashes in which the air bags did not deploy, sometimes resulting in injuries. Others noticed the air bag warning light coming on, leading to dealer visits for sensor or module replacement that didn't always fix the problem.

Warning signs:
Several owners report the air bag warning light illuminating intermittently or staying on before any crash occurred.
What shops did:
Dealers sometimes replaced air bag sensors, modules, or wiring harnesses, though a few owners report the issue wasn't found or resolved.
Mileage:
most between 30,000 and 85,000 miles, among 14 complaints that give it

“Dash airbag warning light comes on when vehicle is in motion”

“diagnosed with a failed air bag sensor”

Engine

Owners describe the Escape's engine stalling, overheating, or losing power, frequently linked to coolant leaking into the cylinders or turbocharger and throttle body failures. For many, this meant sudden loss of power in traffic, repeated shop visits, and in some cases a full engine replacement.

Warning signs:
Many report a check engine or
What shops did:
Dealers and mechanics often replaced spark plugs, coils, throttle bodies, turbochargers, or the entire engine, though some issues recurred or went unresolved.
Mileage:
most between 50,000 and 105,000 miles, among 126 complaints that give it

“the check engine light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been intermittent at first but gradually became constant”

“the vehicle was struggling to start, and there was exhaust fumes coming inside the cabin while starting the vehicle”

Powertrain

Owners describe their Escape's transmission failing or acting erratically, often with sudden loss of power, jerking, or stalling while driving, sometimes without warning lights. Many say this led to costly transmission replacements, frequently occurring just after the powertrain warranty mileage limit, and some connect their experience to a manufacturer recall.

Warning signs:
Many report hesitation or jerking during acceleration or shifting, RPMs revving without corresponding speed increase, shuddering, clunking noises, and dashboard messages like "Transmission Fault" or "Service Transmission Now."
What shops did:
Dealers and shops frequently diagnosed the need for a full transmission replacement or rebuild, often at high cost, with some owners reporting the issue occurred just after their powertrain warranty expired; a few mention shifter cable bushing replacement.
Mileage:
most between 70,000 and 105,000 miles, among 192 complaints that give it

“My car started jerking and hesitating as it was trying to go into 2nd and third gear...then the reverse wouldn't work at all”

“Slippage occurred intermittently, then frequently and "service transmission now" message appeared”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (4)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 26V011000January 2026116,672 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.

    Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied.

  • NHTSA 25V695000October 20251,448,655 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 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.

  • NHTSA 22V413000June 20222,925,968 vehicles

    Power train: shift linkage/cable/rod · Power 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 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.

  • NHTSA 17V398000June 20173 vehicles

    Air bags: knee bolster

    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.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Ford sent NHTSA 176 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2016 Escape. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • SSM 54366 · November 2025Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
  • SSM 52335 · March 2024For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and…
  • TSB 22-2066 · April 2022Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2014-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles may indicate an incorrect shifter lever position.
  • SSM 49821 · May 2021Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
  • TSB 21-2152 · May 2021Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2014-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles may indicate an incorrect shifter lever position.
  • TSB 21-2033 · March 2021Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2013-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles may indicate an incorrect shifter lever position.
  • SSM 49210 · September 2020Some 2009-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbochargers may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket.
  • SSM 48725 · April 20202016-2019 Escape vehicles equipped with the 1.6L EcoBoost or 1.5L EcoBoost engines may have missing or damaged dowel alignment pins between the engine and transaxle.

All 2016 Escape bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2016 Ford Escape reliable?
Owners filed 280 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Escape in its first five years on the road, about 91 for every 100,000 sold: 0.4× the rate of a typical Escape year. That's among the fewest of any Escape year. Ratings compare Escape years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2016 Escape problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (29%), the engine (18%) and the air bags (4%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2016 Ford Escape been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2016 Ford Escape, the most recent in January 2026 (equipment). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ford. The 2016 Ford Escape on NHTSA.gov · How we rate