10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 6
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 32,252 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.
The following all occurred in just the past year. The following is a report from this May 2024: Performed Cooling System Pressure Test, Discovered Coolant to Be Leaking From Behind Engine Next to Firewall, Continued Diagnosis and Performed Physical Inspection Removing Wiper Cowl to Get a Better View of Behind the Engine, Once Wiper Cowl Was Removed Discovered Rear Heater Hose to Be Leaking Coolant Causing Customers Concern. Recommend Replace Heater Hose and Perform Cooling System Service During the Courtesy Inspection Aaron Noted: ***Coolant Fluid Very Low Due to Coolant Leak, Recommend Perform Cooling System Service with Hose Replacement ***Vehicle is Equipped With Timing Belt, Check Customers Records For Previous Replacement - The inital issues was the purge valve stuck open, which lead to a misfire code, so they mechanic had a replacement of purge valve chassy and replace spark plugs. - 2 weeks following this event, we were told the engine would need to be replaced due to an internal coolant leakage that resulted from a broken gasket. The vehicle does not even have 200,000 miles.
- Mesa, AZ, USA
The car has less than 100,000 miles and has been diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. This is a known issue and Ford has not recalled this particular model for the same issue it has done recalls for. It is discussed in TSB 19-2208. The only known repair according to Ford is to replace the engine which is unacceptable for a car of this age and mileage. We have brought it in to check on the engine light and have been replacing coolant and have just found that the issue is that the engine has to be replaced according to a service station and Ford dealership. There are numerous social media accounts and class action suits filed for this very issue, and even Ford said that there "could" be a recall but so far there is not.
- Austin, TX, USA
At 116k miles the Turbo had to be replaced, immediately following by the transmission failed and needs to be fully replaced.
- Alsip, IL, USA
Vechile showing transmission not in park
- Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the engine was abnormally loud, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Tabor City, NC, USA
Coolant leaked into the cylinders causing us to replace the motor.
- Glade Spring, VA, USA
I was driving down the highway doing 70 mph my car lost all power and a warning light came on said engine failure. This is dangerous. We could've gotten killed.
- Cape Girardeau, MO, USA
The crankshaft came loose, making a big racket. The pins that hold the crankshaft came looks this could cause a crash and is a big safety risk.
- Jasper , AL, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that heavy white smoke was coming from the exhaust pipe at start-up. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. The diagnostic test determined that coolant had leaked into an engine cylinder and that metal shavings were found in the oil and air intake tube. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
- Plainfield, CT, USA
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" -The engine block is cracked and leaking antifreeze into the combustion chamber. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -no Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -Confirmed by dealer Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? -Just the dealer Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" -None
- Gallipolis, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering and chugging significantly. Additionally, the transmission was slipping between gears. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the engine was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 70-75 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle jerked and lunged forward. The contact also stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond while the engine was revving. The contact stated that he continuously depressed the accelerator pedal until the vehicle responded. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.
- Rockford, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 60-?"65 MPH, coolant was leaking into the engine. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that an engine replacement was needed. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
- Eagan, MN, USA
4/24/24 Vehicle began de accelerating quickly, going from 50mph to 28mph. The oil light came on, followed immediately by engine light, then seconds later, complete engine failure. Towed to dealership, where I was informed a week later that the engine needed to be replaced again. Ford replaced engine 1.5 years ago when another catastrophic failure occurred. That engine came with a 36 month warranty. Ford authorized the dealership to replace the engine again, however, was unwilling to provide a new 36 month warranty, indicating I would only have the remainder of the warranty period from the previous engine. This second incident could have resulted in serious injury to me, as it occurred on a busy road with no shoulder. I couldn-??t open my driver door safely with speeding vehicles going by at 45-50mph to catch a ferry. My research indicates Ford was aware of potential problems with this model since before I purchased it new in 2016.
- Port Orchard, WA, USA
The coolant leaks into the engine. I have already had it fixed before. It did it again and ruined my engine. I am now on the hook to replace the engine and still paying the car off. Looking to Google shows this is a known issue that ford refuses to address and has cost thousands of people a lot of money.
- Chicago, IL, USA
I was driving my 2016 Ford Escape and stopped at a red light. When the light turned green I steeped on the gas and the car would not move. No check engine light came on and there was no indication that anything was wrong. The car had to be towed to two different repair shops. The first repair shop diagnosed that it was the transmission and they wanted to much to repair. I then had it towed to a transmission repair shop where they rebuilt my transmission. I picked up my car today and the shop told me that there was a recall on 2016 Ford Escapes. I called ford and they agreed there was a recall on 2016 Ford Escape transmissions but it did not include my car. This makes no sense as my car only has 63208 miles on it and the transmission went out with no warning. I don't understand my Ford says my car is not included when obviously there is a problem. Thank you for your time
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
Check engine light came on, car was taken to mechanic. Coolant system cylinder 1, 2 were showing as codes and coolant was 1/2 gallon low. Coolant was found to be leaking into engine and engine replacement was the only fix. Mechanic also indicated there is a TSB for this issue, meaning it is a known problem that ford will not help with correcting.
- Mount Laurel, NJ, USA
Check engine light is on at 63,000 miles. Ford dealer confirmed coolant in cylinder and immanent total engine failure, so vehicle is not safe to drive as it may stop at any time and loss of coolant. Only indication is the check engine light. Dealer quoted repairs for engine, turbo, and cat converter replacement at over $18,000. Research on the internet reveals that this is a common failure. Since the warranty is out of the time and 3k over the covered range they will do absolutely nothing to remedy the issue. The sticker price on the Escape Titanium is over $37,000.
- Manchester, MO, USA
While driving home going about 40 mph my Ford Escape lost acceleration and then completely shut off IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD! I was able to "limp" it to the side of the street where it would not start at all. I then placed it in reverse (as I was on a hill) to roll it backwards into a neighborhood to get it out of the way of on coming traffic. It was 10 PM at night! I waited for a few minutes and was able to get it to start but not change gears. I was able to get it to my neighborhood with hazards on going barely 10mph. It literally rolled into my driveway where it has been since (November 2023).
- Columbia, SC, USA
- Addison, IL, USA