2016 Ford Escape Body & structure Problems

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine, with the engine revving. The contact stated that while turning off the vehicle, the engine was knocking very roughly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for failures with the bearings and the rotors. The contact stated that there were abnormal sounds coming from the bearings. The contact stated that the rotors were rusted, and there was a grinding sound coming from the rotors. The contact believed that the vehicle was a flood-damaged vehicle due to the rust on the rotors, bearings, and underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.

NHTSA ID

11751076

Incident

Jun 3, 2026

Mileage

113,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon opening the liftgate, the liftgate started closing unintendedly and struck the contact on the head. There was no injury sustained. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11698956

Incident

Nov 12, 2025

Mileage

80,000 mi

I have a sunroof and water leaks in and gets the headliner wet on both sides on the area vertically between windshield and front windows. I have had my front windshield replaced to ensure it wasn’t a windshield leak from a seal issue. It don’t fix the problem. I had my sunroof replaced in case it was that and it didn’t fix the issue either. I had the drain tubes for the sunroof flushed multiple times and it didn’t fix the issue either. This has been inspected/looked at by multiple auto places and it can not be located to the source of how water keeps getting in. Every time it rains it gets the headliner wet. There is no warning lamp indicating an issue. It is available for inspection should anyone else need to inspect it to try to find the source of why water gets in. It leaves water stains in my headliner. This is a safety issue if water gets into the car and the water can damage other components of the car. This issue has been ongoing for the last year approximately and I have brought the car in multiple times to address this but no one can locate the source so far.

NHTSA ID

11593356

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was a leak coming through the sunroof around the trim. The contact stated that the water leaked onto the doors and trunk, and there was mold and mold odor inside the vehicle. The contact and passenger were coughing while riding in the vehicle. The contact's spouse used silicone to close the gaps in the sunroof. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11582410

Incident

Nov 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, an abnormally loud sound was coming from the front undercarriage of the vehicle. The contact steered to the side of the road where it was observed that the undercarriage cover was detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the undercarriage cover needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.

NHTSA ID

11533296

Incident

Jul 19, 2023

Mileage

50,000 mi

Since purchasing this vehicle there have been many issues. I had purchased the additional warranties also only to have the dealership say they were not covered. First my roof leaked. Had to take to a repair shop through the dealership, luggage racks had to be taken off and welds redone. Next the catalytic converters went bad with only approximately 50,000 miles. Ford would not talk to me and the dealership stated it is not covered under the extended warranty. Somehow I paid minimal repairs but during that time their best mechanic was fired. Next the Continental tires pealed. I had the tire warranty and the dealership would not cover. I called Continental they stated that they knew these tires were bad but yet they were still sold on vehicles! After much complaining and stress all but $400 was covered by Continental. The dealership did very little. At approximately 65,000 the engine blew. I found out by a local repair shop that Ford had an Escape safety issue on their site about the engines. After speaking with Ford twice they refused to speak to me any longer and only the dealership if I wanted the engine replaced. I did and was given numerous different amounts it would cost me. Since this was Ford's manufacturing issue I should have paid nothing. It took over 4 months to repair my vehicle. I had to complain to Ford and the dealership to get a loaner. I am a 66 year old single women who depended on the quality of Ford. I had tried to email Ford representatives and call with no reply ever. Each of these issues had no warnings lights nor were there any problems prior to the issues occurring. These issues could have caused major accident by the engine quitting in traffic or blowing, and the tires pealing. Ford motor needs to pay for all these issues. There needs to be a class action suit.

NHTSA ID

11502587

Incident

Oct 26, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle's driver's side door had severe rust that was causing the skin of the vehicle to weld onto the outer panel of the door. In other areas of the vehicle, there was severe rust causing the paint to begin to bubble to the point that it was welded to the outer panel of the door. The dealer was not able to repair the rust on the body of the vehicle due to a lack of equipment. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.

NHTSA ID

11476503

Incident

Jul 15, 2022

Mileage

45,000 mi

The roof rack leaks every time it rains or gets wet car wash etc. Underneath that roof rack mounting hole is the curtain airbag which is soaked every time that happens. The airbag is rusting/staining my headliner and I think based on that tachata recall this would be under the same scrutiny. Concerned about whether or not the airbag will deploy of if it's corroding away each time it rains. I reached out to Ford when the unit was under warranty and no assistance from them. I then tried to take things into my own hands and silicone it but it still leaks. I have no idea how or where anymore. Still assuming the roof rack though

NHTSA ID

11469763

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

I WAS DRIVING AND TURNED A CORNER ON A LOCAL ROAD AND MY REAR LEFT DOOR SWUNG OPEN. THERE HAD BEEN NO INDICATION IT WASN'T CLOSED. THEN, AFTER STOPPING, I TRIED TO CLOSE IT AND IT WOULDN'T LATCH--IT JUST BOUNCED BACK OPEN. THE FOLLOWING LINK IS VIDEO SOMEONE ELSE POSTED THAT SHOWS THE EXACT ISSUE I HAD: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=_EIOZPH8_XG IT'S A DIFFERENT MAKE AND MODEL FROM FORD, BUT THE ISSUE IS IDENTICAL TO WHAT I AM DEALING WITH NOW.

NHTSA ID

11386450

Incident

Jan 3, 2021

Mileage

49,000 mi

2016 FORD ESCAPE DOOR WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. I WAS BACKING UP OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE LIGHT ALERTED ME THAT THE REAR DRIVERS DOOR WAS NOT CLOSED, I GOT OUT AND CLOSED IT AGAIN BUT IT WILL NOT STAYED CLOSED. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION THE LATCH WILL NOT ENGAGE. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL OF 2013-2015 FORD ESCAPES WITH THE SAME LATCH DEFECT.

NHTSA ID

11360257

Incident

Sep 21, 2020

Mileage

53,032 mi

THE TAILGATE IS NOT CLOSING OR OPENING PROPERLY. IT TOOK ME OVER 1.5 HRS TO GET THE DOOR COMPLETELY SHUT. I HAS HAPPENED A FEW OTHER TIMES AND I KNOW AM SCARED TO USE IT. I DON'T WANT TO BE STUCK WITH THE DOOR UNABLE TO SHUT, RESULTING IN MY BATTERY BEING DRAINED & GETTING STUCK SOMEWHERE BECAUSE THE TAILGATE WON'T SHUT. I LOOKED ONLINE AND IT SEEMS I AM NOT AT ALL THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS HAD THIS ISSUE!

NHTSA ID

11288709

Incident

Aug 17, 2019

Mileage

40,000 mi

MY VEHICLE LEAKS IN WATER AT MULTIPLE SPOTS BUT ONE THAT IS EXTREMELY VISIBLE. THIS HAPPENS DURING HEAVY RAIN AS WELL AS DURING A CAR WASH. THIS HAPPENING IS RUINING MY HEAD LINER AND ALSMOST CERTAIN RUSTING MY VEHICLE.THER ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE THAT IS NOT GETTING ADDRESSED FROM FORD I FILL I HAVE GOTTEN A LEMON OF A VEHICLE WITH IN TURN WOULD ALLOW (LEMON LAW TO TAKE AFFECT).

NHTSA ID

11279125

Incident

Jun 12, 2019

Mileage

29,902 mi

LEAKS IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD,LETTING LARGE AMOUNTS OF WATER INTO THE VEHICLE OVER THE DASHBOARD AND ONTO THE TO FRONT DOORS CAUSING STAINS TO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE NOTE RETURTNED THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THREE TIME BEFORE THE PROBLE WAS FIXED.

NHTSA ID

11084815

Incident

Feb 13, 2018

Mileage

10,256 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH OR MORE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL WHISTLING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A 3/8 GAP BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND PLASTIC TRIM. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (CROSSROADS FORD OF INDIAN TRAIL, 88 DALE JARRETT BLVD, INDIAN TRAIL, NC 28079) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: PAF-14252656-R9Y2C0. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.

NHTSA ID

11081045

Incident

Feb 25, 2018

Mileage

12,000 mi

CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE ON A VERY COLD DAY. CAME OUTSIDE TO FIND THAT THE REAR WINDOW HAD SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS CAR WAS TAKEN TO A WINDOW SERVICE EARLIER IN THE FALL FOR A MINOR MAINTENANCE ISSUE AS WAS TOLD BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT THIS WAS A REPLACEMENT WINDOW. I AM ONLY REPORTING THIS IN THAT THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY A 2016, YET THE REAR WINDOW HAS BROKEN OUT 2X SINCE ITS TIME ON THE ROAD. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH, THERE HAS BEEN PAST REPORTS OF THE FORD ESCAPE REAR WINDOW BREAKING OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON.

NHTSA ID

11058533

Incident

Dec 31, 2017

Mileage

16,000 mi

PASSENGER FRONT DOOR POPPED OPEN AND HIT A GAS POLE

NHTSA ID

11034252

Incident

Aug 15, 2017

Mileage

14,790 mi

2016 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED TO THE MANUFACTURER. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE THE VEHICLE THAT WAS AGREED UPON. BUT, PROVIDED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS NOT CONDUCIVE TO THE CONSUMER'S MEDICAL OR PERSONAL REQUESTS. UPDATED 10/2/2017*JS

NHTSA ID

10838238

Incident

Jan 1, 2016

THE LIFTGATE GOES DOWN ON ITS OWN. THE KEY FOB WAS NOT IN MY HAND NOR IN MY POCKET. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE THE FOOT WAVING OPTION TO OPEN OR CLOSE THE LIFTGATE. I HAVE BEEN HIT ON THE HEAD AND AM CONSIDERING A DOCTOR VISIT.

NHTSA ID

10968231

Incident

Mar 23, 2017

Mileage

8,648 mi

VEHICLE STATISTICS: STATIONARY, NOT IN MOTION, IN PARKING LOT. FAULT/PROBLEM: UNANTICIPATED, UNINTENTIONAL, ERRATIC AND ERRANT CLOSURE OF AUTOMATIC LIFTGATE. CAUSE OF SAFETY RISK: POORLY POSITIONED/CALIBRATED SENSOR WHICH TRIGGERS AUTOMATIC CLOSURE OF REAR LIFTGATE IN SPITE OF FOLLOWING OWNERS MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS. THIS FEATURE IS ONLY SUPPOSED TO BE ACTIVATED WHEN MAKING A FORWARD AND BACK KICKING MOTION OF THE FOOT UNDER THE REAR BUMPER. SUMMARY: WAS LOADING GROCERIES INTO BACK OF VEHICLE AT LOCAL WAL-MART EVENING OF 03/14/17 APPROX. 6:30 P.M. CST. I HAD LEANED OVER PLACING BAGS INTO CARGO AREA OF VEHICLE, FEET WERE TOGETHER ON GROUND BEHIND REAR BUMPER, I STRAIGHTENED AND SMASHED MY HEAD INTO THE METAL FLAT EDGE OF THE LIFTGATE WHICH WAS COMING DOWN ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT ME PRESSING BUTTONS OR MAKING GESTURE TO INITIATE AUTOCLOSE FEATURE. AUDIBLE NOTICE OF CLOSURE WASN'T HEARD DUE TO AMBIENT NOISE - WIND, ETC (THE NOTICE NOISE IS EXTREMELY QUIET). I HIT THE TAILGATE HARD ENOUGH THAT I NEARLY KNOCKED MYSELF OUT, AND MY WIFE WHO HAD ALREADY GOTTEN INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT FELT THE VEHICLE MOVE AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM MY HEAD MAKING CONTACT WITH THE LIFTGATE. I COLLECTED MYSELF, FINISHED LOADING THE GROCERIES AND WENT HOME. PAIN IN MY HEAD INCREASED, NECK PAIN PRESENTED AND INCREASED IN INTENSITY, NAUSEA AND SENSITIVITY TO LIGHT. WIFE RECOMMENDED AND TRANSPORTED ME TO ER. ER VISIT INITIATED APPROXIMATELY 8:30 P.M. AT TIME OF TRIAGE, I WAS DRY HEAVING AND WAS GIVEN AN ANTI-NAUSEA MEDICATION. THE ER DOCTOR ORDERED A CT OF MY HEAD BASED ON SYMPTOMS PRESENT WHICH CAME BACK OK, BUT IT WAS DETERMINED I RECEIVED A CONCUSSION AND WAS PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS APPROPRIATELY. HEADACHE AND NECK PAIN/STIFFNESS ARE PERSISTENT TODAY 03/15/16. WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN AS INSTRUCTED WITHIN 48-72 HOURS. BEFORE MAKING THIS INFO PUBLIC, PLEASE REMOVE ATTACHMENT.

NHTSA ID

10966032

Incident

Mar 14, 2017

Mileage

26,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE INDEPENDENTLY CLOSED WHILE IN USE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10926723

Incident

Sep 5, 2016

WHEN TRAVELLING ABOVE 55 MPH THERE IS A WIND NOISE AT DRIVER DOOR THAT IS QUITE ANNOYING. DEALERS ANSWER IS THAT THEY TEST DROVE OTHER YEARS OF THE SAME VEHICLE AND HEARD THE SAME NOISE. UNSURE IF SOMETHING WILL START LEAKING IN THE NEAR FUTURE BUT FOR NOW, THE NOISE IS ANNOYING AND SHOULDN'T BE HEARD.

NHTSA ID

10923882

Incident

Apr 19, 2016

Mileage

10 mi