2016 Ford Escape power train problems
319 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2016 Ford Escape — 30% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle sputtered and intermittently lost motive power. The message "Transmission Fault" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact was able to drive to her sister's residence. The vehicle…”
filed Jul 22, 2026
“I was driving home on se stark to go to 60 uh then turn into burnside I was going 30 Mph per speed limit then all the sudden it jerked and slowed down very unsafe when the transmission just went slow and I had no warning or light never came on to say need transmission service. This was mind…”
filed Jul 21, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detachCampaign 22V413000 · Jun 10, 2022
Power Train problems in other Escape years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Escape | 3 | 14% |
| 2024 Escape | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 Escape | 19 | 20% |
| 2022 Escape | 30 | 13% |
| 2021 Escape | 39 | 12% |
| 2020 Escape | 231 | 15% |
| 2019 Escape | 121 | 21% |
| 2018 Escape | 265 | 15% |
| 2017 Escape | 386 | 15% |
| 2015 Escape | 284 | 27% |
| 2014 Escape | 479 | 23% |
| 2013 Escape | 399 | 15% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2016 Ford Escape
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.