2016 Ford Escape
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 320 of 1,111 complaints (29%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (9) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 1,086 in 2015 to 1,111 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–2,600 | 2,400–2,700 | 2,400–2,700 | 2,400–2,700 | 2,400–2,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 24–26 | 23–26 | 23–26 | 23–26 | 23–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21–23 / 28–31 | 21–23 / 28–31 | 21–23 / 28–31 | 20–23 / 27–30 | 20–23 / 27–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 347–378 | 345–382 | 338–381 | 342–386 | 342–387 | |
| Complaints filed | 2,080 | 1,086 | 1,111 | 2,672 | 1,787 | |
| Recalls issued | 16 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 47 | 29 | 36 | 39 | 25 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 103 | 19 | 10 | 15 | 5 | |
| Injuries reported | 41 | 32 | 19 | 56 | 30 | |
| Deaths reported | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Escape have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Ford Escape?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 320 of 1,111 NHTSA complaints (29%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Ford Escape get?
EPA rates it 23–26 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Ford Escape?
EPA estimates $2,400–$2,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 23 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 338 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 21 mpg (low) | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 365 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 22 mpg | 30 mpg | 25 mpg | $2,500 | 357 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 22 mpg | 29 mpg | 25 mpg | $2,500 | 359 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $2,700 (high) | 381 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 245 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 320 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 70 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 92 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 29 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 73 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 41 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 26 | 12 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 236 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 23 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 152 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER · Campaign 26V011000 · Jan 15, 2026
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · Campaign 25V695000 · Oct 14, 2025
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL); POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD · Campaign 22V413000 · Jun 13, 2022
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER · Campaign 17V398000 · Jun 28, 2017
Defect: 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."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.