What 1,037 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Escape Gas

The engine does not always turn off when you press the start engine button. Although my vehicle is a 2016 Ford Escape it was most likely manufactured in 2015 and was manufactured in Lexington KY Ford has been unable to diagnose the problem although a recall already exists for the very same problem RECALL# 15V436000. Tallahassee FL Ford dealership is charging me for diagnostics (again) I have taken car to dealership before for this problem in June 2022 and they were unable to fix it . This is as serious safety issue for myself and my 2 toddlers both under the age of 3.

NHTSA ODI 11531189

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, while starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming out the exhaust pipe and the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine was blown and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 144,000.

NHTSA ODI 11526269

I have a 2016 Ford Escape. Left the grocery store and the service engine soon light came on. The car went into safe mode and would only go 10 miles a hour. I was able to get it to the dealership and they told me it was the engine. They are waiting on the part. I was reading all these statements and ford needs to do better. 2 years ago the transmission went. The dealership that put the transmission in did not put all the bolts on when I took it to the dealership they told me the transmission was about to fall out! I wish I could get rid of this vehicle!

NHTSA ODI 11525971

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 35 MPH and accelerating to highway speeds, the vehicle started to overheat. The contact stated that the high engine temperature warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that coolant was added, and the vehicle was able to be driven to the intended destination. The vehicle was turned off and was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11524024

Engine control computer malfunction is causing the engine, SYNC, bluetooth, brake lights, and rearview camera to malfunction.

NHTSA ODI 11523915

Rear view camera stopped working almost a year ago, and out of no where the transmission stopped working. I recently just got an oil change and asked for the works to get my whole car checked out and that report as all the reports before it came back with no issues. So found it surprising that this happened.

NHTSA ODI 11523368

My engine suffered the coolant intrusion issue that many ford eco boost engines are experiencing. I reached out to ford because its a part of their ford TSB (which I have copies of and sent Ford). I was quoted 12,249$ By the ford dealership to fix my engine, when this is an on going issue with ford ecoboost engines. There were no warnings other than my car overheated once and kept losing coolant into the engine (white smoke from tailpipe) the check engine light finally came on 2 days before I took it into the dealership (my husband assumed it was head gasket). The dealership has diagnosed engine failure, it wasn’t until then we started doing research and realized there is even a lawsuit against ford for this issue. My car insurance will not pay for it because it is not an issue caused from collision. I am a mother of 2 with no vehicle now, I cannot put 12,249$ for a new engine, and shouldn’t have to when this is an issue on Fords part. I have reached out to Ford directly who also refuses to take responsibility even though they as a company have posted the TSB regarding the issue. I bought my car certified pre owned with 30k mikes. It’s under 100k with a failed engine. A ford representative at the dealership made the comment “most people trade their cars in every 2-3 years” when I mentioned I thought I bought a reliable vehicle to buy and pay off. Basically they know it won’t last when they sell it is what that boils down too, and count on people trading it in.

NHTSA ODI 11522041

Defect in the coolant system which caused leaking into my cylinders

NHTSA ODI 11517100

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed by the dealer that the engine and the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the warranty had expired. No additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

NHTSA ODI 11516670

Since purchasing this vehicle there have been many issues. I had purchased the additional warranties also only to have the dealership say they were not covered. First my roof leaked. Had to take to a repair shop through the dealership, luggage racks had to be taken off and welds redone. Next the catalytic converters went bad with only approximately 50,000 miles. Ford would not talk to me and the dealership stated it is not covered under the extended warranty. Somehow I paid minimal repairs but during that time their best mechanic was fired. Next the Continental tires pealed. I had the tire warranty and the dealership would not cover. I called Continental they stated that they knew these tires were bad but yet they were still sold on vehicles! After much complaining and stress all but $400 was covered by Continental. The dealership did very little. At approximately 65,000 the engine blew. I found out by a local repair shop that Ford had an Escape safety issue on their site about the engines. After speaking with Ford twice they refused to speak to me any longer and only the dealership if I wanted the engine replaced. I did and was given numerous different amounts it would cost me. Since this was Ford's manufacturing issue I should have paid nothing. It took over 4 months to repair my vehicle. I had to complain to Ford and the dealership to get a loaner. I am a 66 year old single women who depended on the quality of Ford. I had tried to email Ford representatives and call with no reply ever. Each of these issues had no warnings lights nor were there any problems prior to the issues occurring. These issues could have caused major accident by the engine quitting in traffic or blowing, and the tires pealing. Ford motor needs to pay for all these issues. There needs to be a class action suit.

NHTSA ODI 11502587

Vehicle engine started smoking. Coolant fluid and oil entered the engine compartment caused engine failure and blown rod and more damage to engine. Dealer estimated $12,000 to replace engine. Research determined that many of these vehicles have had similar issues. Very dangerous situation under any circumstance but more so when this occurred on a busy interstate highway. There is currently a class action lawsuit, [XXX]et al v. Ford Motor Company, case no. [XXX] that addresses the failure of Ford to properly address the engine defect. I am not a party to that lawsuit. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11502444

Car stared backfiring and engine light came on. Mechanic told me coolant is leaking into cylinder from head gasket. Told me probably need a new engine, told me Ford is aware of problems but aren't going to repair them. Ford has a tech bulletin- SSM 49821

NHTSA ODI 11501352

I was driving to work and my temperature gauge starting moving all over and car stated, "pull to safety." I pulled over and had car towed to Northside service center in brockport where they had it towed to West Herr dealership in spencerport. West Herr stated the recall doesn't match my VIN and is refusing to repair it.

NHTSA ODI 11496384

I checked this site and my car had 1 recall that I was never informed or made aware of by my manufacturer. I don’t know if it’s a minor recall or a major one, but it’s scary.

NHTSA ODI 11495494

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that she notified a tow truck to jumpstart the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Pep Boys however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

NHTSA ODI 11491869

INGINE LIGHT/SUSPENSION LIGHTS WENT ON. CAR JERKS AND SHAKES ON THE ROAD AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT MAKING IT HARD TO KEEP THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT

NHTSA ODI 11491459

2016 FORD ESCAPE. CPONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

NHTSA ODI 11487982

My coolant leaked into the cylinders of my engine causing a complete engine failure. When this occurred, there was no warning lights, indicators or check engine notices to notify me that there was a problem with my engine. I was driving down the street & white smoke started billowing out of the back of my car. I was able to make it home but had to have it towed to the dealership. This is a known issue with Ford, with a current lawsuit pending, due to the design of the engine. I have been advised that there are technical bulletins distributed within Ford and the dealer acknowledged there was nothing I could have done to prevent this from happening. My engine was already replaced due to the same defect when it had 34,000 miles on it. This was covered under warranty and the engine was replaced at a Ford dealership. The first time this happened, I was traveling on the freeway and my lights and power completely shut down while I was driving at night and my engine almost started on fire. I also had no warning lights, overheating or check engine notices when that happened. It now has 94,500 miles. This means I have needed 2 engine replacements for the same defect in less than 100,000 miles. The Price Ford dealership in Turlock, CA has quoted me $10,600 to replace the engine, which I am responsible to pay, and advised me to call corporate when I told them of the lawsuit. Ford's Corporate Office advised me that there isn't anything they can do because there isn't a recall issued yet, even though this a known documented issue of their defected engine design.

NHTSA ODI 11481258

Jerking, unwanted jolting, locked up steering

NHTSA ODI 11480532

Sice 2016 I've had numerous issues with this vehicle yet no one had told me about your website. Although some of the repairs on this vehicle were under safety bulletins I was never informed. The latest is that my engine light going off and on. I was told it was misfiring, had an appointment set up for repair and it overheated. The mechanic told me to get it to the dealership immediately so it was towed over. Only to find I needed an engine and that there are many Escapes this way. Another issue was the catalytic converters were bad there were there was only approximately 40 to 50,000 on the car at that time and the dealership refused to put it under the extended warranty saying it wasn't covered. However I believe the manager did it and was fired for it. Another issue what's the gas cap area, I was told because there's not an actual cap that that flap on there will eventually allow fumes to escape and cause an issue so I had to pay over $400 for that, again nothing's covered. And I bought the extended warranty. What a joke. Right after I had bought the car the roof was leaking and again was told it was not covered under a warranty and I had to take it to a repair shop. I also cannot get my GPS to update correctly and other smaller issues. This vehicle has been a lemon from day one and I wish I would have sued under it sooner.

NHTSA ODI 11479631

On April 10, 2022, I received the check engine light indicator on my 2016 Ford Escape. I took the vehicle to a local mechanic to be inspected on April 15, 2022. I was informed after a diagnostic that my Vapor Canister Purge Valve was malfunctioning. I was told that the part could be ordered, but it was on backorder in excess of 4,000 orders. I have had the following problems that continue to put myself and other motorist in danger: I am unable to accelerate past 50MPH due to air build up in my engine causing engine stall outs on major roadways and intersections with the inability to restart the vehicle, as well as the inability to safely refuel my vehicle due to restart problems. My car has stalled out on major state highways and interstates, creating unsafe situations for myself and other motorists. Over the past 4 months I have continued to call my mechanic and Ford, with Ford offering no ETA on the production of the needed part.

NHTSA ODI 11473193

I had replaced my transmission at 100,000 mile mark. I have never had that happen in an older veichle. And when mine went it did the same thing with not going into park all the way. I paid out of pocket for it. And have kept up with oil changes and Maintance on my veichle, and now I am having problem with misfire and it is the head gasket and they garage put a camera down in it and the motor is cracked. I have had nothing but bad luck with this escape. I owe a lot of money on it still and cannot afford to put new motor in it. I’ve googled on the issue and I see other reviews of people having the same issue. I have receipts when I did the transmission and would like reimbursement for that and I would like to give my veichle back and not have to finish off the loan , so I can ne able to go get another veichle.

NHTSA ODI 11471034

The driver owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact called on behalf of the wife, who drove into the driveway at approximately 2 MPH, the gear was put into the park; however, the vehicle inadvertently reversed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle stopped in the yard and was not diagnosed or repaired. The driver notified the manufacturer and was informed of a recall that would be coming out soon; however, they provided no more details or timeframe. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000

NHTSA ODI 11470838

Kept saying it was over heating shutting down the motor chugging not gaining speed. Had all spark plugs and coil packs changed ran for 5 days and started dining it all over again.

NHTSA ODI 11467039

The contact owned a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, there was smoke coming from the hood to the windshield. The contact pulled over and there were flames entering the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries reported. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away since it was not driveable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,681.

NHTSA ODI 11465384