CarProblemIndexSource: NHTSAData retrieved 2026-07-01

2016 Ford ESCAPE — Recalls, Complaints & Buying Checklist

Quick summary

Recalls: 4 official NHTSA recall(s) on record, e.g. Air Bags:Knee Bolster.

Most-reported issue: Power Train (312 owner reports of 1016 total).

Before you buy: owners reported issues most often with Power Train, Engine — worth having these checked on a used example.

VIN check: confirm any open recall by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Used-car buying checklist

Based on this model’s reported issues. Tick as you inspect.

Owner-reported complaints by category

Counts are voluntary reports to NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold — they are not a failure rate or safety ranking.
Power Train312
Engine117
Back Over Prevention116
Unknown Or Other107
Electrical System74
Steering68
Engine And Engine Cooling52
Fuel/Propulsion System35
Wheels29
Air Bags22

Official recalls

Air Bags:Knee Bolster — campaign 17V398000 (26/06/2017)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Ford Escape vehicles. The driver's knee airbag modules installed in these vehicles were…

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."

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) — campaign 22V413000 (10/06/2022)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-201…

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.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera — campaign 25V695000 (13/10/2025)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 20…

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.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Equipment:Electrical:Engine Block Heater — campaign 26V011000 (15/01/2026)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. Th…

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.

Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Compare related vehicles

Next year: 2017 Ford ESCAPERival: 2016 Honda CR-VRival: 2016 Toyota RAV4Rival: 2016 Chevrolet EQUINOXSame class: 2016 Ford EXPLORERSame class: 2016 Honda PILOTSame class: 2016 Jeep CHEROKEE
Check another vehicleCompare similar vehiclesConfirm VIN
Source: U.S. NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov), public domain. Data retrieved 2026-07-01 · data v0.1.
This page is general information, not medical, legal, or safety advice. Complaint data is voluntarily reported to NHTSA and is unverified; a complaint count is not a danger or failure rate. Always confirm open recalls for a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with the manufacturer.