CarBrief

NHTSA has 1,162 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Ford Escape, led by power train, engine and rearview camera reports[1][2][3][4]. Four recalls apply[5], the block heater recall is waiting on its final remedy, and the camera recall is a phased rollout[6][7]., and the camera recall is a phased rollout[6][7].

1,162owner complaints[1]
4recalls[5]
23–26MPG combined (EPA)[8]
4★NHTSA overall rating[9]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 1,162 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Of those, 39 mention a crash, 10 a fire and 21 an injury, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified reports, one complaint can name several parts, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

The groups with the most complaints:

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Power train[2] 321 88,346
Engine[3] 247 80,000
Back over prevention[4] 243 86,525
Unknown or other[10] 156 62,000
Electrical system[11] 95 43,734

Steering has 73 complaints[12], fuel/propulsion has 62[13], and speed control has 32[14]. Speed control is small, but it carries 6 crashes and 3 injuries at a median of 22,000 miles[14].

Power train. This group has 5 crashes, 1 fire and 8 injuries[2]. In the sample of complaint texts we read, owners describe shuddering, jerking or clunking when the car shifts, often between Park, Reverse and Drive[2]. Some also describe the car losing power or cutting off while driving[2].

Engine. The group has 3 crashes, 6 fires and 2 injuries[3]. In the sample we read, the texts mostly describe the engine stalling or losing power while driving, often with an engine fault message, and a couple name the throttle body[3].

Rearview camera. The back over prevention group has 8 crashes and no injuries[4]. In the sample we read, owners describe a camera that shows a blank, flickering, distorted or stuck image, or does not work at all[4]. A few tie it to a SYNC or display module that also affects the radio, GPS and Bluetooth[4]. This lines up with a recall, covered below[7].

Electrical system. The group has 1 crash, 3 fires and 1 injury, with failures at a lower median mileage than the groups above[11]. In the sample we read, several owners describe the engine shutting off while driving with an engine fault message[11].

Recalls

NHTSA lists four recalls for this model year[5], newest first.

Before buying or keeping a car, check the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see which of these apply to a given car[6][7].

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on engine and drive type. All use regular gas and an Automatic (S6) transmission[8][17][18][19][20].

Version City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
FWD, 1.6L turbo[8] 23 / 31 / 26 $2,600
FWD, 2.5L[18] 22 / 30 / 25 $2,700
FWD, 2.0L turbo[17] 21 / 29 / 24 $2,800
AWD, 1.6L turbo[19] 22 / 29 / 25 $2,700
AWD, 2.0L turbo[20] 21 / 28 / 23 $2,900

The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the all-wheel-drive Escape 4 stars overall, with 4 stars for frontal, 5 for side and 4 for rollover[9]. NHTSA lists the rollover risk at 18.5%[9]. The front-wheel-drive Escape gets the same star ratings, with a rollover risk of 19.1%[21].

Engine and size

EPA lists these horsepower ratings for test vehicles:

Size comes from Transport Canada specifications, so these are Canadian-market numbers and can differ slightly from US models. Length is 179 in, width 72 in, height 66 in and wheelbase 106 in for both versions[25][26]. Curb weight is 3,777 lb for the AWD[25] and 3,605 lb for the FWD[26].

How 2016 compares with other years

2001: 996 complaints, 13 recalls20012002: 1,027 complaints, 8 recalls2003: 558 complaints, 7 recalls2004: 499 complaints, 6 recalls20042005: 1,584 complaints, 4 recalls2006: 720 complaints, 4 recalls2007: 393 complaints, 2 recalls20072008: 2,417 complaints, 3 recalls2009: 1,846 complaints, 1 recalls2010: 2,129 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 1,355 complaints, 2 recalls2012: 619 complaints, 1 recalls2013: 2,756 complaints, 18 recalls20132014: 2,089 complaints, 16 recalls2015: 1,125 complaints, 9 recalls2016: 1,162 complaints, 4 recalls1,16220162017: 2,700 complaints, 4 recalls2018: 1,820 complaints, 4 recalls2019: 596 complaints, 3 recalls20192020: 1,902 complaints, 25 recalls2021: 496 complaints, 21 recalls2022: 385 complaints, 21 recalls20222023: 138 complaints, 13 recalls2024: 88 complaints, 10 recalls2025: 31 complaints, 10 recalls20252026: 4 complaints, 3 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Escape model year. The 2016 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
200199613
20021,0278
20035587
20044996
20051,5844
20067204
20073932
20082,4173
20091,8461
20102,1293
20111,3552
20126191
20132,75618
20142,08916
20151,1259
20161,1624
20172,7004
20181,8204
20195963
20201,90225
202149621
202238521
202313813
20248810
20253110
202643

NHTSA's list for the Escape covers 26 model years[5]. The 2016 model has 1,162 complaints and 4 recalls[5]. Ten model years have more complaints than 2016 and 15 have fewer[5].

The years on either side look different. The 2015 model has 1,125 complaints and 9 recalls, and the 2017 model has 2,700 complaints and 4 recalls[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2016 Escape?

The 2016 Escape ranks 11th highest of 26 model years for complaints[5]. Its biggest complaint groups are power train, engine and the rearview camera, and the sample texts we read describe shifting shudder, stalling and camera dropouts[2][3][4]. Four recalls apply[5], and the block heater recall is waiting on its final remedy and the camera recall is a phased rollout, with more owner letters to come[6][7]. If you are looking at one, ask for a test drive that includes shifting between Park, Reverse and Drive, check that the rearview camera works, and have the VIN checked on NHTSA.gov[6][7]. If the car has a 2.0L engine, do not plug in the block heater until the recall is handled[6].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Escape?
By complaint count, the largest groups are power train with 321, engine with 247 and back over prevention with 243[2][3][4]. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe shifting shudder, stalling and rearview camera failures[2][3][4].
Does the 2016 Ford Escape have any recalls?
Yes, four. They cover the engine block heater, the rearview camera, the shift cable bushing and the driver knee airbag[6][7][15][16]. The block heater recall is waiting on its final remedy, and the camera recall is a phased rollout with more owner letters to come[6][7].
What gas mileage does the 2016 Ford Escape get?
EPA combined ratings run from 23 MPG for the AWD 2.0L turbo[20] to 26 MPG for the FWD 1.6L turbo[8].
How safe is the 2016 Ford Escape?
NHTSA gives both the AWD and FWD versions 4 stars overall and 5 stars for side protection[9][21].
Is the 2016 Escape a better year than 2015 or 2017?
On complaints alone, 2016 has 1,162 against 1,125 for 2015 and 2,700 for 2017, while recalls are 4 for 2016, 9 for 2015 and 4 for 2017[5]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so this does not settle which year is better.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 1,162 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Ford Escape (39 mention a crash, 10 a fire, 21 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 321 complaints name the power train component group (5 crashes, 1 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,346). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 247 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 6 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 243 complaints name the back over prevention component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,525). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Escape model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 26V011, filed January 15, 2026: Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 25V695, filed October 13, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
  8. EPA rating for Escape FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 31 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 156 complaints name the unknown or other component group (4 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 95 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,734). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 73 complaints name the steering component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 62 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 32 complaints name the speed control component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 22,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. Recall 22V413, filed June 10, 2022: Power Train › Shift Linkage / Cable / Rod. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 17V398, filed June 26, 2017: Air Bags › Knee Bolster. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for Escape FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Escape FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Escape AWD, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 29 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Escape AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Ford Escape with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 170 hp. www.epa.gov
  23. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Ford Escape with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 237 hp. www.epa.gov
  24. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Ford Escape with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 168 hp. www.epa.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ESCAPE 4DR SUV AWD: length 179 in, width 72 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,777 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ESCAPE 4DR SUV FWD: length 179 in, width 72 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,605 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.