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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,983 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Ford Escape engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #27

Nov 122023

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Uncontrollable acceleration increase; Difficult and rough starting; Engine overheating warning lights and message alerts; Coolant empty and no visible leak; Continued loss of coolant; Copious moisture smelling of anti freeze coming from exhaust; Check engine light codes: P1450, P1450 pd, PO302

- Mendocino, CA, USA

problem #26

Feb 092024

Escape

  • miles
See attached document for complaint

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

problem #25

Dec 122023

Escape

  • miles
When driving the car at interstate speeds the transmission overheats after just a few minutes. When this happens it triggers the car-??s information system to send a message stating -??Transmission Fault Service Engine Now.-?? Just a moment or two later it sends another message stating -??Speeds Reduced To Lower Engine Temperature.-?? Once that message is received you no longer have any throttle control and speed will continue to decline, speed dropped from 70 mph to 30 is maybe an minute, until you pull over and let the transmission cool down. This is especially hazardous on the interstate if your in faster moving traffic with cars behind you and you can no longer accelerate with no way to signal this to the traffic behind you except the four ways. The problem seems to be the fan to cool the transmission never gets the signal to turn on and cool down the transmission. This is an ongoing issue with this vehicle and has been since I got it, there are also multiple site and forums full of this same year make and model having the same issue.

- Berkeley Springs, WV, USA

problem #24

Jun 302022

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving and my car felt like it changed from drive to neutral without any physical prompt on my part. The for escape kept rolling away and I was able to bring it to a parking lot. I was able to turn the vehicle off and tried turning it back on again. It felt like it was changing gears without being touched. It kept trying to move forward and reversing when it was on park. I was scared so I turned the car off and put the emergency break because of the strange shifting between gears that was happening. I had to have the vehicle towed as it is now inoperable. It is at the shop and is currently untouched. A few days later I found found has recalled my vehicle for transmission issues. I am now careless with no help in sight.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #23

Aug 162021

Escape

  • miles
We bought a 2016 Ford Escape on 25 June 2021, from Phil Long Ford in Motor City, Colorado Springs, CO. for approx. $21,000. Mileage was 62,783k. In Aug and Sept 2021, we brought the car back to Phil Long and told them there was a transmission issue that intermittently occurred on highway speeds. When passing there was an extremely rough shift that felt like a car ran into the back of us. This created a safety issue when driving. Phil Long reluctantly test drove the car and said they couldn-??t do anything as they didn-??t experience the extremely rough shift. This rough shift continued to happen about once every couple of weeks. We brought the car to Transmission Clinic in CO Springs and they confirmed that we needed a new transmission. On 02 June 2022, we paid $4,992 and got the transmission replaced. Transmission Clinic stated they are seeing many issues with Ford transmissions on Ford cars with low mileage. I contend that Phil Long Ford knew this info and should have been willing to help us in Aug/ Sept 2021. I am requesting that Phil Long Ford reimburse us in full or part for the cost of this recent transmission replacement. I believe Ford Motor Company should issue a recall for these poor transmissions.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #22

Jul 142021

Escape

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 65-70 mph, the vehicle decelerated without warning. The vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The contact was unable to shift the vehicle into drive or reverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was revving abnormally. The vehicle was restarted and driven off the highway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- West Providence, RI, USA

problem #21

Aug 282020

Escape

  • 85,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving in traffic the car lunges forward and jerks in traffic and losses power. No to little movement with the engine running. Also you can not accelerate that is a non factor and you are in the flow of traffic without warning! my car never gave me any signs of a bad transmission until out the blue one day and a transmission vault light came on my dash! my family and I was visiting my son at his college town of bevercreek Ohio were he attended wright state university and this happened on the weekend. I waited until the weekday to call customer service and Ford gave me a case #cas27510020. My son dropped it off and made the appointment and rented a car and drove back to Chicago. The car is at germaine Ford and they called him back and said $4 thousand overhaul or $8 thousand for replacement and I still owe a year or 2 years worth of payments totally unfair. A car should last longer than 85,000 miles off highway and normal driving! P.S Ford has been sued for there power shift transmission for bad torque converters, who's to say they are not using those same torque conveters in their 6speed automatic select shift transmissions.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #20

Apr 052019

Escape

  • 90,000 miles
I have a 2016 Ford Escape 4WD. It is consistently stalling when driving. I've been told that the transmission needs to be replaced. I paid $22,000 for the car and it is only a few years old. The internet has several complaints from others reporting the same or similar problem with their 2016 Ford Escape. It is extremely dangerous to drive the car as it stalls in intersections with on coming traffic. Ford company is stating if it's not under warranty and their is no recall for this problem they will not do anything accept an engine or transmission replacement at my cost which is upwards of $6000. I can't do anything with the car and it's too expensive to do what they are saying is the repair. They know this problem is common and a huge safety issue. I guess they have weighed the cost of the recall and decided people should die first before they will be forced to do the right thing by acknowledging and fixing the problem.

- Rancho Cordova, CA, USA

problem #19

Oct 282019

Escape

  • 29,954 miles
The contact owned a 2016 Ford Escape. While the contact was at a car wash, the accelerator pedal became stuck. As a result, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and went airborne. The vehicle crashed head on into some bushes. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that the vehicle had shown signs of suddenly accelerating previously when attempting to speed up. The contact was not injured, but was currently under her doctor's care and taking several pain medications. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was totaled and both front tires were flat. The vehicle was towed and was being inspected by the insurance company. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 29,954.

- Livonia, MI, USA

problem #18

Aug 232019

Escape

  • 21,000 miles
I have noticed that after applying normal pressure to the brakes, the ABS indicator and the hill assist notice appear. Also another warning light comes on the dash board. Also, the speedometer doesn't work anymore. When this happens the engine will not turn off. This has happened 10 times in the past 2 weeks. Eventually the engine will torn itself off after approximately 20-30 minutes. I noticed that the ABS light comes on after stopping at a light. It may come on at other times while I am driving the vehicle, but I notice the light when stopped at a traffic light or pulling into a parking space.

- John's Island, SC, USA

problem #17

May 092019

Escape

  • 54,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving on my way to pick child up from daycare and car would not move even when giving gas. It felt as if it wouldn't shift. I took it to car dealership and they are saying that my transmission is going out. This car was bought brand new and as only 60,000 miles if that and now they are telling me my transmission is out and it will cost me $9,500 to $6,000 I find it funny that they called a recall on Focus from that year on issues with transmission and now mine is out and some how it is my fault. If I would have know there was onging problem I wouldn't have bought the car I don't have that kind of money that why I bought new thought I would be getting dependable care for me drive my child around in. This happen in toledo, Ohio while driving I had to have care towed to car lot where is currently sitting because I can not afford to fix something that Ford knows it has issue with. I don't have problem with paying for something that is my fault but this is not it especially since I keep seeing and hearing that people are having issue with Ford Escapes and other Ford products.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #16

May 012019

Escape

  • 62,000 miles
I'm not sure but I feel like there might be an issue with my Ford Escape transmission. I bought the car in not even 2 years ago and now I'm being told that I either need new transmission or to have mine rebuilt and this doesn't seem right'.how is that a car that is barley 3 years old, and bought brand new needs a whole new transmission. I am concern because I have a child and I am currently pregnant and my car is slipping in out of gear while driving. I am on fix income this why I bought what I thought was a reliable new car, I don't have the money to correct Ford's mistake. I hope this mater can be looked into any help would be greatly appreciated. I do not feel like some should have to die before this issue is addressed and corrected.

- Toleodo, OH, USA

problem #15

May 012019

Escape

  • 62,000 miles
I'm not sure but I feel like there might be an issue with my Ford Escape transmission. I bought the car in not even 2 years ago and now I'm being told that I either need new transmission or to have mine rebuilt and this doesn't seem right'.how is that a car that is barley 3 years old, and bought brand new needs a whole new transmission. I am concern because I have a child and I am currently pregnant and my car is slipping in out of gear while driving. I am on fix income this why I bought what I thought was a reliable new car, I don't have the money to correct Ford's mistake. I hope this mater can be looked into any help would be greatly appreciated. I do not feel like some should have to die before this issue is addressed and corrected.

- Toleodo, OH, USA

problem #14

May 012019

Escape

  • 64,000 miles
I'm not sure but I feel like there might be an issue with my Ford Escape transmission. I bought the car in not even 2 years ago and now I'm being told that I either need new transmission or to have mine rebuilt and this doesn't seem right'.how is that a car that is barley 3 years old, and bought brand new needs a whole new transmission. I am concern because I have a child and I am currently pregnant and my car is slipping in out of gear while driving on the streets of toledo. I am on fix income this why I bought what I thought was a reliable new car, I don't have the money to correct Ford's mistake. I hope this mater can be looked into any help would be greatly appreciated.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #13

May 012019

Escape

  • 64,000 miles
I'm not sure but I feel like there might be an issue with my Ford Escape transmission. I bought the car in not even 2 years ago and now I'm being told that I either need new transmission or to have mine rebuilt and this doesn't seem right'.how is that a car that is barley 3 years old, and bought brand new needs a whole new transmission. I am concern because I have a child and I am currently pregnant and my car is slipping in out of gear while driving on the streets of toledo. I am on fix income this why I bought what I thought was a reliable new car, I don't have the money to correct Ford's mistake. I hope this mater can be looked into any help would be greatly appreciated.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #12

Dec 132017

Escape

  • 22,000 miles
On December 13, 2017 I was in the process of parking in front of a place of business, the business was in a public parking lot and I was going at most 25 mph before starting to park. I had my foot on the brake and was 1/4-1/2 way in the parking place when the car suddenly accelerated, the car went thru the plate glass window, thankfully no one was hurt! the police were called and as I was the only vehicle I was found at fault, cause 'excessive speed'. the car accelerated so fast I didn't have a chance to react. The tires did not touch the curb and seemed to fly thru the air. My vehicle was totaled due to the damage to the front end and frame. From what I have read it appears to be a throttle issue - stuck open. I do have a police report if needed but it only says I was at fault, excessive speed and that the building was damaged.

- Rancho Cordova, CA, USA

problem #11

Jan 062018

Escape

  • 17,435 miles
Driving into parking lot to park and the car accelerated jump 2 curbs and hit a parked vehicle. I would have to have floored the pedal for that to happen. I think something malfunctioned. I did see another similar report dated October of 2017 of the same thing happening and Ford had a recent past of acceleration problems. So I'm wondering if it is a malfunction of the car

- Clovis, NM, USA

problem #10

Aug 162017

Escape

  • 14,000 miles
Safety hazard and serious life threatening situation exists when this problem occurs on the highway and especially in front of a semi tractor trailer truck doing the speed limit. Numerous times, (12 times between 14,000 and 15,363 miles) the 2016 Ford Escape has had complete power loss during acceleration causing vehicle to abruptly begin shaking, lose power, lose steering, lose braking and immediately shudder to a stop. Service engine light comes on, message reads: Engine fault service now. (see attached photo) engine remains running. If one tries to continue driving the vehicle stumble and won't shift from low gear without a very hard torquing sound. This Ford Escape broke down in front of a Ford dealer and the code read by this dealers computer is P0322-PCM. According to an internet search the P0322 code definition: If the PCM (powertrain control module) detects an erratic, interrupted, or otherwise unexpected input signal from the distributor or the crankshaft position sensor, it will store the P0322 code, and the check engine light will be turned on. On this vehicle the code is only active when the fault occurs, and the engine is running. The codes do not store in memory. Ignition can be shut off, the warning message disappears and many times the car is able to be driven again for miles before reoccurring. The leasing dealer states they have a process to follow in order to fix the problem. They have to replicate the problem or they do nothing. Using my printout from another dealer with the code is meaningless to them, even though they know the source of the problem and that the condition is life threatening. They say that if I feel the condition is life threatening then do not drive the car. A formal case has been opened with Ford customer assistance, however they only notify the service manager that there is a problem, which he already knows.

- Clawson, MI, USA

problem #9

Jun 172017

Escape

  • 11,500 miles
Car went to very slow speed from 45 to about 2 mph in a few seconds. On side of road engine would not speed up all. Turned engine off/on twice no help. Turned engine off third time. Car started ok third time and was able to drive home ok. I read error code out. Its P2111 this error is a common error on certain Ford from 2009 on. This problem needs to be addressed soon! when your engine quits with this error you have very poor power steering control, etc. Please research this problem. Car was driving on a highway when this event occurred.

- Prairie Village, KS, USA

problem #8

Nov 222016

Escape

  • 7,900 miles
I was driving about 60 mph on interstate 95 when the vehicle suddenly shut off while in motion and I ran into the back of a 18 wheeler truck. Thankfully I was not hurt. Ford insists they cannot find anything wrong with the car.

- Bayonne, NJ, USA

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