2016 Ford Escape Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 1,036 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2016 Ford Escape overview page.
What owners report
“DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY CAR JUST SHUTS DOWN WITH ENGINE FAULT CAR STOPPED RESPONDING MAKING IT A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. I SEE THIS HAS A…”NHTSA complaint 11104288 — filed 06/27/2018
“TRANSMISSION FAULT ERROR MESSAGE WENT ON TWICE OVER THE COURSE OF 10 DAYS. THEN WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE SAME MESSAGE KEPT…”NHTSA complaint 11076817 — filed 03/08/2018
“REAR END KNOCKING SOUND AFTER AND DURING BACKING UP, ALSO DURING LOW SPEED. THE ELECTRONIC RADIO, SYNC3, AUDIO SCREEN WILL NOT TURN ON IN MILDLY…”NHTSA complaint 11061060 — filed 01/07/2018
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2016 Ford Escape have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the most-reported problem area on the 2016 Ford Escape: 304 of 1,036 complaints on file (29.3%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2016 Ford Escape have in total?
1,036 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 32 involved a crash, 10 involved a fire, 19 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
