Ford · Escape · 2016
2016 Ford Escape
4
Recalls
970
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2016 Ford Escape has 4 recalls and 970 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: power train (257 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 29, 2026
Research Context
The 2016 Ford Escape page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is power train with 257 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2016 Ford Escape reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2016 Ford Escape currently shows 4 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 970 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 4/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are power train (257), engine (101), unknown or other (88).
- Vehicle
- 2016 Ford Escape
- Recalls
- 4
- Complaints
- 970
- Safety Rating
- 4/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
19.1% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 26V011000January 15, 2026
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.
Remedy Status
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 ID: 25V695000October 13, 2025
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.
Remedy Status
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. 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 ID: 22V413000June 10, 2022
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 17V398000June 26, 2017
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."
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
970 totalBACK OVER PREVENTION
Apr 24, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rearview camera image failed to function properly and only intermittently operated. The contact stated that the rearview ca...
Preview excerpt
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Apr 24, 2026
Unknown
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Apr 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rearview camera intermittently operated, and the message “Camera not Available” was displayed. The contact received notific...
Preview excerpt
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Apr 20, 2026
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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceede...
Preview excerpt
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Apr 6, 2026
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 failed to function properly, and the image was intermittently displayed. The contact received notif...
Preview excerpt
ENGINE
Apr 3, 2026
Known coolant intrusion, blowing white smoke, blown head gasket
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Mar 31, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse(R), the rear-view camera became inoperable. The contact shifted from reverse(R) to park(P) several times; however, the back over prevention camera was inoperable. The contact received notifica...
Preview excerpt
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Mar 18, 2026
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 local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. Th...
Preview excerpt
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Mar 17, 2026
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 local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exc...
Preview excerpt
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 14, 2026
Rear main seal leak and transaxle leak. I see there was a recall in the 2000s but my 2016 is having the same issues. Would this issue still fall under the newer vehicle recall since it i the same problem?
Showing 10 recent complaints from 970 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2016 Ford models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Ford Escape Years
2017 Ford EscapeCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.3r2,533c2015 Ford EscapeCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.9r2i981c2018 Ford EscapeCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.4r1,627c2014 Ford EscapeCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.16r2i2,044c2019 Ford EscapeCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.3r517c2013 Ford EscapeCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.18r3i2,738c
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Escape have?
The 2016 Ford Escape has 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2016 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has received 970 owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Ford Escape.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2016 Ford Escape?
The 2016 Ford Escape received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Escape?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2016 Ford Escape are power train (257 reports), engine (101 reports), unknown or other (88 reports).
Does the 2016 Ford Escape have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 4 recalls on record for the 2016 Ford Escape. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.