The 2016 Ford Escape is a safe, spacious, tech-loaded SUV. Nevertheless, there are many mentions of transmission, engine, and steering rack failure, and all carry a hefty repair or replacement cost.
Key Points
- The most commonly registered NHTSA complaint about the 2016 Ford Escape concerns transmission failure.
- The most costly problem, ranging from $4000 to $6000, that affects the 2016 Escape is head gasket failure, which can lead to an engine replacement.
- Additionally, the 2016 Escape has been shown to have power steering troubles that make it difficult to steer.
- Just one recall has been issued for the 2016 Escape, about a faulty driver’s knee airbag. However, buyers should not be worried as this only affected three Escapes total.
- The Escape is also prone to the two common Ford problems: a shattering sunroof and swollen lug nuts.
Transmission Failure is the Most Commonly Reported Complaint with the 2016 Escape
About a third of the 350 complaints reported to the NHTSA for the 2016 Ford Escape mentioned transmission failure. The result is almost always the same, a transmission replacement costs somewhere between $2,200 and $3,400. Although the result is the same, drivers experience transmission failure in a couple of different ways.
Some note that the shaft lock assembly failed and it would refuse to shift into gear, staying locked in park. Others say that when they would try to press the gas pedal nothing would happen while it was in gear. Drivers also said that the transmission light only popped on when the transmission failed, giving them no warning.
What’s most concerning about this problem is that it seems to happen between 60,000 and 100,000 miles. That’s concerning because the warranty cuts out at 60,000 miles leaving most drivers uncovered. Also, that’s a short lifespan for a transmission.
Additionally, Ford doesn’t make it easy to check your transmission fluid as you should every oil change. There’s no dipstick, so of course, Ford recommends you take it to the dealer to be checked.
Head Gasket Failure in Some 2016 Ford Escapes can Lead to a Costly Engine Replacement
As it only accounted for about 30 of the 350 complaints, head gasket failure certainly doesn’t happen as often as transmission failure on the Escape. That being said, when it does happen it leads to the most costly repair you can need on a vehicle, an engine replacement. Costing from anywhere between $4,000 and $6,000, it’s a problem that owners certainly don’t want to deal with.
What happens is the gasket fails and coolant leaks into the cylinders, eventually leading to the engine being unusable. Most drivers do not notice this problem until it’s too late and the damage is already done.
However, Ford states that you can prevent this problem by monitoring the coolant level. If there is a sudden drop in the level, you may have a faulty head gasket. This proves that Ford is well aware of the problem but still has yet to issue a recall for it.
2016 Escape’s Power Steering Failure can Occur Around 50k Miles and isn’t Covered Under Warranty
The second most common problem listed on the NHTSA is power steering failure. This problem is much less costly than an engine replacement but accounted for about 40 of the 350 complaints. Owners notice this problem when the steering wheel gets hard to turn and often the power steering warning light pops on.
This problem seems to happen early on in the Escape’s life, with most complaints stating that it happened before the vehicle had 50,000 miles on it. But that’s no worry because it’s covered under the 60k mile powertrain warranty, right? No, the powertrain warranty does not cover this issue so owners have to pay out of pocket. This costs owners on average about $2,200 to repair.
Common Ford Lineup Problems Affect the Escape and Include Shattering Sunroofs and Swollen Lug Nuts
There were two interesting complaints listed on the NHTSA for the Escape that showed up several times, leading us to believe it was more than a freak occurrence. It turns out both problems are common Ford-wide problems, both of which have open class-action lawsuits. The shattering sunroof problem is especially scary because drivers claim that they’re driving down the road and suddenly it collapses, untouched. This affects several Ford models in the 2007-2017 model year range.
Hagens Berman, a class action law firm, filed a complaint about Ford’s two-piece lug nuts. This affects millions of Ford vehicles including the Escape. Ford manufactured the two-piece lug nut for aesthetic purposes. They’re made of a steel core and alloy cap to match the wheels to look more visually appealing.
The trouble is when they are exposed to the elements like moisture and heat they swell up. So, drivers can’t remove them and often times end up rounding them leading to a lug nut replacement. Replacement lugs cost about $100, not including labor.
Despite Problems, the 2016 Ford Escape is Still an Affordable and Safe SUV
It’s important to remember that every vehicle has its problems and the Escape is not an outlier. So long as drivers keep up with routine maintenance and monitor their fluids, the Escape should not give them much trouble. We recommend drivers check their coolant frequently and have their transmission fluid checked at least every oil change. To avoid power steering issues, drivers should test their steering monthly to see if they hear any grinding when making hard turns. When you diagnose these problems early, they are much less costly.
Photos: Ford
