2016 Ford Escape Recalls, Problems & MPG
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 1,165 owner complaints for the 2016 Ford Escape. The EPA rates it 23 to 26 MPG combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.
- Recalls
- 4
- Owner complaints
- 1,165
- Crashes / fires reported
- 39 / 10
- EPA combined
- 23–26 MPG
2016 Ford Escape recalls
EquipmentJan 15, 2026 · NHTSA 26V011000+
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
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.
Back Over PreventionOct 13, 2025 · NHTSA 25V695000+
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Power TrainJun 10, 2022 · NHTSA 22V413000+
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Air BagsJun 26, 2017 · NHTSA 17V398000+
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
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."
Recall repairs are free. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours still needs one.
Most reported 2016 Ford Escape problems
Owner complaints to NHTSA by system. One complaint can name more than one system.
- Power Train321
- Back Over Prevention247
- Engine200
- Unknown or Other157
- Electrical System95
- Steering71
- Fuel/Propulsion System62
- Engine and Engine Cooling57
2016 Ford Escape gas mileage
EPA ratings for each version (city / highway / combined).
| Version | Engine | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escape FWD | 1.6 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,450 |
| Escape AWD | 1.6 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,550 |
| Escape FWD | 2.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,550 |
| Escape FWD | 2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,700 |
| Escape AWD | 2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 21 | 28 | 23 | $2,800 |
Real-world mileage depends on how and where you drive. Logbay compares your actual MPG with these EPA numbers.
Questions
Does the 2016 Ford Escape have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Ford Escape, most recently for the equipment (Jan 15, 2026). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Ford Escape problems?
Owners filed 1,165 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported areas are power train (321), back over prevention (247), engine (200).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Ford Escape get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Ford Escape at 23 to 26 MPG combined (best version: 23 city / 31 highway).
Sources: NHTSA recalls and owner complaints (api.nhtsa.gov), EPA fuel economy (fueleconomy.gov). Updated Oct 26, 2026. Complaint counts are unverified owner reports.