The Lemon Index2016 Ford Escape.
The 2016 Ford Escape is better than average by owner complaints: 226 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 74, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 23 to 26 mpg combined. The best Ford Escape year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2013–2019 Ford Escape, 19.1M views. The 2016 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical1.6M views
2013-2016 Ford Escape Battery Replacement FAST!NNKH 2 · 394K views · 7 videos - Transmission & shifter1.5M views
2013-2019 Ford Explorer Escape Fusion 6F35 Six Speed Transmission Fluid Change ProcedureFordTechMakuloco · 631K views · 6 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door1.2M views
2013-2014 Ford Escape Poor A/C Performance Quick FixFordTechMakuloco · 433K views · 6 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring900K views
How To: Change the Headlights in a 2013 to 2019 Ford EscapeO'Reilly Auto Parts · 347K views · 4 videos
Show 4 more
- Cooling system624K views
2013-2016 Ford Escape 1.6L Ecoboost P26B7 Coolant Bypass Valve "C" ReplacementFordTechMakuloco · 318K views · 3 videos - Brakes & ABS537K views
2013-2019 Ford Escape Full Brake Job. (Front & Rear)Repair Geek · 313K views · 3 videos - Steering & suspension407K views
How to Replace Front Wheel Bearings & Hubs 2013-2019 Ford EscapeTRQ · 140K views · 4 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors259K views
How To Find The Keypad Door Code On 2013 - 2019 Ford Escape - Driver's Door Key Pad Code LocationPYR Automotive · 130K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Ford Escape SUV 2013-2019 3rd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 397K views
Ford Escape 2013-2019 Problems, Engines and ReliabilityMaxTheCarGuy · 191K views
TOP 5 Problems with the FORD ESCAPE ( 3rd Generation 2013-2019)Alex The Car Doctor · 79K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 1,160 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford Escape year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 49K to 103K miles on the car (633 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 68K–107K miles
- backup camera complaints mostly came at 60K–114K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 25K–102K miles
Recalls 4
- equipment 2026
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 prevention 2025
The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
- transmission & drivetrain 2022
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Show all 4 recalls
- airbags 2017
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 176 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some vehicles transmission will experience, after a cold soak or an extended period with…
- Some 2015-2016 f-150, c-max, edge, mks, taurus, and flex and 2016 expedition, explorer,…
- Rough idle, low rpm at idle or a stall
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Escape SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Escape SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2450–2800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Torque converter bearing and seal leaking a quart of transmission fluid a day. Replaced due to faulty seal and bearing. Its' only a 2016. The seal/bearing/torque converter should not be already breaking down in 3 years.
2016 Ford Escape owner · NHTSA complaint 11278767
More owner reports
Car says it's in reverse but shifter is in park. Car won't start.
NHTSA complaint 11255839
3 days in a row, 4/1 - 4/3, I would engage the gear shift and the wheels would not move. Would not move in reverse or drive. After a few minutes, the transmission would wake up and drive normally.
NHTSA complaint 10970446
Quick answers
Is the 2016 Ford Escape reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 74; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Escape year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.
What are the most common 2016 Ford Escape problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (22%), engine (19%) and fuel or ev drive system (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Escape have?
4 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Ford Escape get?
23 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Ford Escape safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Escape problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 49,200 and 103,000 miles. The middle report was at 78,000 miles, from 633 complaints.
Does the 2016 Ford Escape have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 22% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Ford Escape cost in fuel a year?
About $2450 to $2800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Ford Escape have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Ford Escape year is better than the 2016?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works