10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 5 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 7 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 57,044 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon placing the vehicle into reverse(R), the vehicle would jerk while in motion. The contact then stated that upon placing the vehicle into drive(D), the vehicle would hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 22V413000 (Power Train). The dealer and the manufacturer were notified and she was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
- Lancaster, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that immediately after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as needed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The mechanic was able to start the vehicle. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine started to rev causing the vehicle to lunge forward. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to control. The vehicle was stopped and then towed back to the independent mechanic. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 140,002.
- Chesterton, IN, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle started jerking. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact restarted the vehicle and was able to drive to her residence. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle, the warning message "Transmission Fault' was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced; however, the dealer repaired the transmission with used parts as the parts needed were on backorder. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed however, no failure was found. The dealer also informed the contact that the parts were on backorder. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact later became aware that her VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) which she associated with the failure however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
- Mebane, NC, USA
Coming home from a 300 mile trip vehicle would not go into the highest gear (6th) on the highway. Next day, while coming into driveway the wheels locked up. The vehicle would not go into gear. Engine would spin but like it was in neutral. Called tow truck and the vehicle had to be dragged onto the tow truck with front wheels locked. Dealership informed me that I needed new transmission. $6000 repair. Also the engine light was on and the dealer told me it was a was a turbo wastegate solenoid not related to the transmission.
- Plymouth, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was in park, the vehicle suddenly started rolling backwards rolled into a ditch. The vehicle was towed out the ditch. There were no injuries sustained. The contact researched online and became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 75,000.
- Fort Oglethorpe, GA, USA
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
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.
- Ankeny, IA, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving up a hill at 40 MPH, the vehicle shook and then stalled with the transmission fault warning message displayed on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where it was serviced for a defective fuel pump which was covered under warranty. Recently, the contact stated that while driving on the highway at 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull off to the side of the roadway. The contact called a friend who assisted her and she was able to drive the vehicle home driving 25 MPH. The dealer was notified of the failure where and the contact was provided an appointment to have the vehicle serviced. The vehicle remained with the dealer for approximately two weeks and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
- Mount Vernon, NY, USA
While driving the 2016 Ford Escape, the torque converter failed and sent all sorts of metal parts into the transmission casing. At 102,000 miles, the vehicle suddenly, and without warning, lost momentum on the highway and I had to coast into a parking lot. The engine was running but the transmission would not engage so the vehicle could not move. The problem was confirmed by the dealer who repaired the transmission and torque converter for $4200. The loss of power on the highway in rush hour traffic caused a severe safety situation which I was able to avoid by coasting over to the right lane and fortunately into a parking lot. The check engine light appeared briefly than went out. This seems to be a serious manufacturer's defect that could certainly lead to catastrophic crashes. Thank you.
- Warrenton, VA, USA
The transmission is shot at only 130,000 miles on a car with regular maintenance. The repair will be over $4000 to replace the transmission as it is not repairable. This is now a common problem with the 2016 ford escapes.
- Cape Girardeau , MO, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power, decelerated, and then stalled. The contact indicated that the vehicle would no longer drive forward or in reverse however, the engine was still running. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 100,150.
- Columbus, OH, USA
Transmission failed while in motion; car slipped into reverse while at a light. Had to pull off and have car towed. It is now undrivable. Transmission must be replaced.
- Madison, AL, USA
Driving down the interstate and all of a sudden rims shot all the way up and loss power to the vehicle. As If it slipped into neutral. Made it over to the side of the road. Turned vehicle off amd back on and it worked fine for about 100 feet. Made it to a empty park and ride where I'm currently awaiting a tow service. Now in any gear while vehicle is on there appears to be a whine coming from the top of the transmissions bell housing. Car will not move now. Seems as though the transmission went out on it. Looked around online and it appears to be very common with this specific ford vehicle. One website even mentioned a class action lawsuit about it but didn't give specifics.
- Rocky Mount, VA, USA
Transmission failure
- Fredericksburg, VA, USA
While operating vehicle, it suddenly made a noise, almost like a bang. Then engine then revved to 8000 rpm. Immediately following that I could no longer advance forward while pressing the gas pedal. I had to get to the side of the road as best I could. I was in a dangerous situation. Once at the side of the road, the vehicle would not advance forward or backward. There were no warning lights illuminated on the console. I looked under the hood and did not see anything leaking or out of the ordinary. My vehicle had to be towed. I towed it to my usual mechanic who evaluated it and said the transmission was no longer functional and needs to be replaced or rebuilt. He checked the transmission fluid and stated it was at the appropriate level and the appropriate color/clarity. He checked for recalls and stated there were none, but saw there were many other complaints of this same issue.
- Saunderstown, RI, USA
I had no warning signs nor lights on dashboard; pulled to a stop and went to leave and put it in drive and heard a major clunking noise inwhich I thought I hit a rock, the car would not go in any of the gears. If I had been driving while the transmission went out or dropped I could have caused an accident or even worse killed someone or myself. The car is being towed to dealership now. I just spent $1100 replacing arms and outer tie rods ends yesterday at the dealership. I am extremely upset and I know there are over 350 complaints about the 2016 Ford escape transmission problems!
- Yellville , AR, USA
The Ford Escape has been a problem since I bought it the tranny went out at 110,000 and the head gasket blew at 140,000 still paying on the car with major problems
- Townsend , TN, USA
I was heading home when my vehicle stopped accelerating or kicking into gear. Fortunately, I was in the neighborhood when this happened, but there were no warning lights when the incident occurred. If this had happened on the interstate, I am sure I would not have been able to safely maneuver the car to the side of the road. I had to completely stop and restart my car for it to kick into gear again. I cannot go more than a quarter mile without it failing. It only has 113,000 miles on it, and the first fluid change was not required until 150,000 miles. I've been told by a mechanic that the entire transmission needs to be replaced. I have been waiting since January 1, and the part is STILL on back-order.
- Denham Springs, LA, USA
Was with my children leaving a parking lot. Merged onto a busy highway and while trying to accelerate, the car wouldn-??t move and RPM-??s revved up. Cars were approaching the back of my car very quickly and we were almost rear ended at a high speed. I was able to pull off to the side and call for a tow truck. My very well maintained, 2016 Ford Escape had a transmission failure requiring a replacement with no warning! No warning lights illuminated and the car was not acting up before the failure.
- Grand Ledge, MI, USA
- Winston Salem, NC, USA