Recalls
4campaigns
1 engine · 1 rear camera · 1 power train
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
1,139filed
Owner reports, 2012–2021 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Crash tests
4★overall
★★★★☆ Frontal 4★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★
Source: NHTSA NCAP
Fuel economy
26mpg combined
$2,512/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
1.6 L 4-cyl· 6-speed automatic
5 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2016 Ford Escape. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2016 Ford Escape. Not checked against your VIN.
Engine Block Heater May Short Circuit and Cause Fire
Equipment · electrical · engine block heater
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported116,672 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 26V011000
Listed for 2016 Ford Escape. Not checked against your VIN.
Rearview Camera Image May Not Display
Back over prevention · sensing system · camera
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
1.1% repairedof 1,448,655 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 25V695000
Listed for 2016 Ford Escape. Not checked against your VIN.
Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable
Power train · automatic transmission · gear position indication (prndl)
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
70.3% repairedof 2,925,968 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V413000
Listed for 2016 Ford Escape. Not checked against your VIN.
Driver's Knee Air Bag may not Inflate/FMVSS 208
Air bags · knee bolster
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
66.7% repairedof 3 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 17V398000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (1,139)
1,139 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.
36involved a crash
10involved a fire
19injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 1,139 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 320 | 28.1% |
| Back over prevention | 225 | 19.8% |
| Engine | 200 | 17.6% |
| Unknown or other | 154 | 13.5% |
| Electrical system | 94 | 8.3% |
| Steering | 73 | 6.4% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 62 | 5.4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 56 | 4.9% |
| Vehicle speed control | 32 | 2.8% |
| Wheels | 32 | 2.8% |
How 2016 compares with other Escape years
Best and worst Escape years →2012602
20132,750
20142,088
20151,106
20161,139
20172,692
20181,807
2019590
20201,604
2021349
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 602 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2,750 | 18 |
| 2014 | 2,088 | 16 |
| 2015 | 1,106 | 9 |
| 2016 | 1,139 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2,692 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1,807 | 4 |
| 2019 | 590 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1,604 | 23 |
| 2021 | 349 | 19 |
This year (2016)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 4 stars overall
Overall★★★★☆
Frontal crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 4★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 19.1%★★★★☆
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2016 Ford Escape suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 26 mpg combined
26
mpg combined
23
city
31
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,600
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 338 g/mi
- EPA class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle
What it costs you to run
$2,512per year
$209per month
577gallons a year
Miles ÷ 26 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 31 / 26 | $2,600 | 338 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 30 / 25 | $2,700 | 357 |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 29 / 25 | $2,700 | 359 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | $2,800 | 365 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 23 | $2,900 | 381 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2016 Escape for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2016 Ford Escape FAQ
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Escape have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 26V011000 (engine), 25V695000 (rear camera), 22V413000 (power train), 17V398000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2016 Ford Escape problems?
Owners filed 1,139 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (320), Back over prevention (225), Engine (200) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2016 Ford Escape get?
EPA rates the 1.6 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 23 city, 31 highway and 26 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2016 Ford Escape get?
NHTSA rated the 2016 Ford Escape suv fwd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (19.1% rollover risk).
How does the 2016 Escape compare with other years?
Among the 2012–2021 Ford Escape model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (349) and the 2013 the most (2,750). The 2016 drew 1,139. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Summary reviewed on Oct 6, 2026.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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