2016 Ford Escape
Common problems & what to know before you buy
Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 2016 Ford Escape.
What to watch for on the 2016 Ford Escape
Coolant Intrusion into the Cylinders
Some engines from the mid-2010s leak coolant into the cylinders through a cracked block or head gasket area.
Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves
Fuel is injected straight into the cylinder, so nothing washes the intake valves and carbon builds up on them.
Which of these apply to your 2016 Escape?
Your guide shows which apply to the exact car, and what to ask the seller.
Recalls on the 2016 Ford Escape
Air bags: knee bolster
The driver's knee airbag modules installed in these vehicles were produced without the inflator gas generant material, and, as a result,…
Power train: gear position indication (prndl)
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Back over prevention: camera
The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
1 more in the guide, with whether each one was done on the car you're looking at.
Source: NHTSA
What 1168 owners reported
Source: NHTSA
2016 Ford Escape at a glance
- Trims
- SSESELTitanium
- Engine
- 2.5L 4-Cylinder, 1.6L 4-Cylinder Turbo, 2.0L 4-Cylinder Turbo
- Transmission
- Automatic 6-spd
- Drivetrain
- FWD, AWD
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Body style
- SUV
About the 3rd Gen
The 2013-2019 Ford Escape is the third generation and moved the model onto Ford's global C platform, making it a close relative of the European Kuga and a substantially different vehicle from its predecessor. Engines were a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder and turbocharged 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter EcoBoost units, replaced by a 1.5-liter EcoBoost during the run, all paired with a six-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive was standard with all-wheel drive optional. A significant facelift for 2017 revised the front end and interior.
The new platform gave the Escape much sharper handling and a more car-like driving position than the boxy vehicle it replaced, along with a hands-free power liftgate that was a novelty at launch. Cargo space was reduced relative to the previous generation as a consequence of the more raked body. The fourth generation that followed in 2020 softened the styling again and added hybrid options.
As a used buy, powertrain choice matters more here than in most crossovers. The 1.6-liter EcoBoost was subject to recalls concerning coolant intrusion into the cylinders and associated overheating and fire risk, and its history on any specific vehicle should be verified. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost is the stronger and generally better-regarded turbocharged option. The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter is the simplest and least troublesome but is noticeably slower. Post-2017 examples benefit from the interior and infotainment update.
In-depth generation guide
We've written a detailed buyer's guide covering this generation's known issues, engine variants, and what to inspect.
Ford Escape Used Buyer's Guide: Common Problems and Reliability (2012-2019)→Other Ford Escape years
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Frequently asked questions
What are the common problems with the 2016 Ford Escape?
Owners have filed 1168 complaints about the 2016 Ford Escape with NHTSA, most often about the power train. There are 4 recall campaigns covering this model year. Known problems on its engines include coolant intrusion into the cylinders and carbon buildup on intake valves. Squeezed's free research-backed buyer guide cross-references these against documented failure patterns and mileage-stage risks, sorted by severity, in about a minute.
Is the 2016 Ford Escape reliable?
Reliability depends heavily on the specific configuration and how the car was maintained. Start with the 4 open recall campaigns on this model year and confirm the work was completed. Generate a Squeezed buyer guide for this exact vehicle to see a reliability snapshot, repair-cost exposure, and the questions to ask the seller before you buy.
Should I still get a pre-purchase inspection on a 2016 Ford Escape?
Always. A Squeezed buyer guide is the triage step before the inspection: it shows you the documented failure patterns and what to check so you can decide which 2016 Ford Escape listings are even worth a mechanic's time, then walk into the PPI knowing exactly what to look for.
Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.