10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 6
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 33,175 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 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
Turbocharger failed, leaking exhaust fumes directly into the car cabin. Turbocharger flange warped on the high heat exhaust side due to two of the three support bolts shearing off. Bolts failed because they were a dissimilar metal to the part they were threaded into, and the chemical process between the dissimilar metals weakened the overall strength of the bolts. Once the bolts sheared off, the flange face warped, allowing exhaust fumes to leak into the cabin. The exhaust fumes into the cabin were quite excessive, especially noticeable while parked, and caused headaches and lightheadedness for the occupants. This is a clear manufacturing defect, as any engineer knows not to mix metals in this fashion, and the result was very dangerous to the occupants.
- Hampton, VA, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving uphill at 35 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently started jerking. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he released the accelerator pedal and the failure stopped. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle; however, the failure reoccurred several times while driving uphill and while passing other vehicles. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that he would be responsible for the cost of the repair because the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the VIN was not included in an unknown engine recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
- Asheville, NC, USA
Car gets stuck in overdrive. I was told by someone it has something to do with the turbo boost
- Faribault, MN, USA
Blown head gasket. Class action lawsuit pending against current issue I am having due to setup of motor and allowing water to sit and deteriorate gaskets. Caused vehicle to overheat while driving. Confirmed by mechanic shop.
- Cookeville, TN, USA
Experienced a vibration upon engine startup in April 2021 at about 60,000 miles, diagnostic from check engine light suggests that it was a cylinder misfire. I had it in to 4 different appointments before it was found that I have a bad head gasket, causing coolant to leak into the engine, damaging the engine and risking a catastrophe. Ford will not cover 100% of costs due to it being 4k out of warranty, so this is an out of pocket expense.
- Carlisle, PA, USA
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
Engine block crack at 88,000 miles. Now deemed totaled and inoperable.
- Mitchellville, IA, USA
Cooling fan failure.. resulting in $1300 in repairs not needed and is now in shop for more money-?? to reapir
- Mitchellville, IA, USA
January 5, 2021 we took the car into the Ford dealership because after 20 minutes of driving the car started to shudder and jerk and hesitate. And this happened at 50 mph. The check engine light came on and we could smell what we thought was exhaust in the car. They used the diagnostics and determined the number two ignition coil as bad and needed to be replaced. The spark plug was also replaced. Also while the car was being diagnosed the battery died and had to be replaced. Cost $484. ** were back at the dealership on February 8th with the same issue. This time they informed us that the number 2 and 3 cylinders were misfiring and that there was there was coolant intrusion in the engine. I was informed it would cost about $900 just to take the engine out and do further diagnostics and that the engine may need to be replaced. They only offered $375 toward the expenses. After seeing all the remarks about the issue with the Ford eco boost engine, I hope they will do a recall and fix the problem. The car is currently parked in my driveway.
- Bear, DE, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated she continued driving the vehicle. On a another occasion while driving 70 mph, the hot temperature sensor warning light was illuminated. The contact parked on the side of the road and the temperature gauge went back to normal. The contact stated she continued to experience the temperature gauge failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to corwin Ford sales Inc (5107 us-250, mannington, wv 26582, (304) 986-1111) and was in the process of being repaired. The vehicle had not been diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
- Morgantown, WV, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact noticed that there was a burning odor coming from outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the turbocharger was leaking and they needed to replaced the turbocharger, fuel line and fuel gasket. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,805.
- Fowler, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle started to stall. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to her residence. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer van bortel Ford, Inc. (71 marsh rd, East rochester, NY 14445, (585)586-4415) where it was diagnosed with needing the coil for cylinder number 3 to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired but continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
- Palmyra, NY, USA
When purchase 2016 Ford Escape within a month service engine light came on you can smell coolant sometines smoke smell took vehicle in they told it was nothing to worry about, from 2016 to 2021 I had to purchase coolant over ten times it was always low the smell continue too the check engine lights comes on stays on however took it in three times with the same answer nothing to worry about is fine. I wrote letters to Ford customer relations reporting electrical and mechanical concerns that needs repairing.-reporting my eyes and breathing was affected when inside the Ford Escape-sometimes the engine would turn off there was also an odor of smoke and coolant these issues continue daily. Evidently Ford didn't care but it was reported to them. I also wrote to your department however I have not heard back therefore I am doing this online complaint, please note I want to send photos however it would not let me download can you send me your email to send thiem to you iits very important evidence thank you. I
- Orange Grove, TX, USA
I own a 2016 Ford Escape, while I was driving at 55 miles an hour, it downshifted and lost power, I was able to get it to my driveway, where I parked it. It shifted out of park to reverse, and rolled backward. There were no injuries, thank goodness. I had to towed to a Ford dealership. It needs to have a total transmission replacement. I have read of more than 15 cases on this forum that are the same as mine. I believe a recall needs to happen. I reached out to Ford, they will not help on replacement cost of $5000 repair.
- Houston, MN, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after refueling, the vehicle would not immediately restart. After restarting the vehicle, while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle hesitated and stalled without warning. The cause of the failures were not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000. The consumer stated snow was entering the vehicle at the hatch and the driver side back door.
- Hazel Park, MI, USA
I was on my way home after dropping my husband off at work when my low tire pressure light came on. I turned around and headed to the nearest gas station with free air. I drove for approximately another 10 minutes and was only two blocks from the gas station. I was stopped at a red light on a main road during morning rush hour. The light turned green. From a dead stop, I accelerated to about 25 mph, just got past the intersection, when the engine light came on and the vehicle suddenly lost power and the gas peddle stopped working. I only had enough momentum to make it about 50 feet before the vehicle stopped completely. Luckily, I made it almost all the way into a left turn lane. The traffic passing was so close that my car shook each time I was passed. I was terrified I'd be struck from behind by a passing vehicle. I called the dealership to inform them of what happened and that I'd be having my car towed to the dealership. Having no idea what had happened, I wasn't sure if I'd do more damage by trying to start the car again, so I called a tow truck. The dealership did not offer to tow my vehicle for me and I had to pay $75 for the tow. After the dealership looked at the codes, they told me the electronic throttle body had failed and had to be replaced. It cost me just under $400 in total for the repair. My vehicle is not under warranty anymore, so this was 100% out of pocket for me.
- Newport News, VA, USA
Car shuttered to a stop and would not go into gear at all. Took it to a shop and the transmission needed to be replaced. There was just 100,000K miles on the car. Total transmission replacement performed. The car left me on the side of the highway.
- Jamestown, NY, USA
When rolling trough a turn then pressing the gas peddle, at times there is no power, engine stalls but does not shut off. This has been happening since April and it is getting worse.
- Milpitas, CA, USA
- Bow, NH, USA