Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Ford Escape submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 21 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
I bought a 2016 Ford Escape SE 2 Days ago and just found out it had no back Brake Pads of any measurable thickness, and the Front Brake Pads were nearly as thin. Does not meet Oregon Used Car Sales Laws. Can you help me ? Call the Dealer so they fix them ? Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. Additionally, while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle shuddered and lost motive power. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road, where a passerby assisted the contact in disconnecting and reconnecting the battery, and the vehicle was restarted but lost motive power while attempting to accelerate. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be rebuilt, and that the ABS system was defective and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced but the ABS system was not replaced because the part was discontinued by the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
On October 16, 2022, I purchased a 2016 Ford Escape from the Stowasser Buick GMC car lot. I have had numerous problems with this vehicle since the beginning. On November 1, 2022, I took my car to their service department because it was running poorly. The mechanics worked on my vehicle and returned it to me. However, on January 8, 2023, I had to take my vehicle back to Stowasser shop because it was again running poorly. This time, they had to install a new motor. At that time, my mileage was 49,000, but when the vehicle was returned to me, it had 75,000 miles on it. I asked why the mileage had increased so significantly, but they kept changing the subject and never provided an answer. When I went to pick up my vehicle, the salesperson who sold me the vehicle whispered to me that my vehicle needed new tires badly. I feel this was something the dealer should have addressed. I had not put many miles on my vehicle for the tires to be so worn. On January 18, 2023, I had to put new tires on this vehicle, which cost me $756.00. It was difficult for me to come up with this money, but I had no choice if I needed reliable transportation. I had traded in my older vehicle because I needed transportation, I could count on in my retirement years. On October 2, 2024, I needed new brakes, which were badly worn down. This expense cost me $900.00. The mechanic told me the oil level was very low and asked if a red light had come on to warn me. I said, "No, there was no sensor light." If it had not been for the thoroughness of my mechanic, I would have driven off with no oil in the engine. Right now, my car is parked because another senor light came on and I was told that it is the catalytic converter. I am distraught because I trusted Stowasser that they would take care of me because they knew I was retired and needed a reliable vehicle. I have lost my job, exhausted my unemployment benefits, and now live on Social Security. I cannot afford to fix this lemon of a car I was sold.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to respond. The oil warning light was illuminated with an abnormally loud whirring sound. The contact then turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle started working properly. On another occasion while driving into school parking lot, the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard and the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact struck the curve and the vehicle drove onto the grass and came to a stop. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with internal gear failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 148,611.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel became inoperable. The traction control, the ABS, the brakes, and the knee air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the Police Department mechanic VIPD Motor Pool, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS module had failed, causing other electrical failures. The mechanic determined that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the traction control and brake warning lights were illuminated. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 120,022.
The component that malfunctioned was my transmission according to the mechanic. I was driving and all the sudden my car stopped and wouldn't go, then the accelerator started going to the max but nothing happened. My first thought was a flat tire and after I checked my tires it wasn't flat. I started my car back up and it did the same thing eventually stalling and not moving at all. The wheel locked and would not move to steer or release. I had to get it towed. This is a huge safety issue concern because it stopped in the middle of the road while I was driving putting my life and others at risk. It's available for inspection upon request.The problem was confirmed by a mechanic in which he said there was a recall at some point on the transmission for my vehicle but he was unsure if it was still active. There were no warning lamps or signs and there still isn't present on my dash. Thus making there being no warning signs at all a safety issues for myself and others.
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY A VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF ME STEPPED ON BRAKES AND PEDDLE WAS HARD, HAD NO BRAKES, GOT IT TOWED HOME AND FOUND THE PUMP DRIVE COUPLING PART # BB5Z-6K269-A, THE BOLT HEAD SHEARED OFF INSIDE THE cAM SHAFT HOUSING CAUSING THE VACUUM PUMP NOT TO WORK CAUSING NO BRAKES.
This has been an intermittent problem that Ford dealership cannot rectify unless it happens to them. Because I can't make it happen, and it has not happened close to a dealership, they cannot see it. The brakes seize up and won't stop the vehicle. I have no idea when it will happen - it happens with no warning. It has happened in the mountains in NC and on the highway, in a gas station, in parking lots and in my garage among other places. It is very frightening. Last night when it happened it lasted for about 45 minutes - the longest ever, and the brakes made a terrible blaring noise. When the brakes seize up, I have to drive very slowly and practically stand up on the brakes to bring the car to a halt. Thankfully it has not happened at high speed. This puts me, any passengers and other vehicles and their passengers and drivers at risk. The problem has occurred several times, but has not been confirmed by a dealer. By the way, the brakes have been squeaky since the first few months of ownership. At one point the dealership resurfaced the brake pads and rotors. It seems like the same issue the 2016 Expedition was recalled for. I am scared that this will result in a terrible wreck. The first occurrence was on April 1, 2019. The most recent was last night, 10/18/2022. Today, Ford Customer Service gave me a case number of CAS39180084
The contact owned a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was in the park position on top of a hill and after they returned approximately a short time later they returned finding the vehicle rolled down the hill and crashed into a tree. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. A police report was not filed. There were no injuries. The dealer was not informed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
abs, hill assist, in and out of smart 4WD, does not brake correctly
TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR A RECALL FIX ON 4-8-2021 AT KELLER MOTORS HANFORD CA DROVE THE FOLLOWING DAY TO A GAS STATION WENT TO ENTER A GAS PUMP AND LOSS OF BREAKS AT A LOW SPEED ALMOST BUMPING INTO A CAR HAD TO USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP MY TRUCK.
BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY FAMILY AND BREAKS WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS ANY NOISE OF PUMP FAILER, HAD TO DRIVE IN THE MEDIAN GRASS TO AVOID A COLLISION THAT WOULD HAVE KILLED MY FAMILY. THE PART THAT FAILED IS THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP PART # BB5Z-2A451-C IT LOOKS AS IF AN INTERNAL PART INSIDE THIS PUMP FAILED CAUSING METAL SHAVINGS AND FAILING THE PUMP. A SIMILAR ISSUE REGARDING THE SAME PUMP IN THE F-150 WAS RECALLED IN CANADA.
PURCHASED THIS CAR ON MAY 22, 2018..USED CAR WITH MILEAGE OF 48784 AND WE ARE SENIORS AND DO NOT TRAVEL FAR EACH YEAR. WE WENT TO GET A MAINE STICKER ON OUR VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD NEW BACK BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE NEEDED ASAP. NOW HAS A MILEAGE OF 50284. WE THINK IT IS TOO SOON FOR REAR BRAKES.
I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS ON MY ESCAPE ARE SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEED REPLACEMENT. THE CORROSION HAS ALSO DAMAGED THE PADS. THIS HAS LEAD TO PULSATIONS AND UNEVEN BRAKING. MILEAGE APPROXIMATELY 34,000 MILES WHEN I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM THOUGH BRAKING PERFORMANCE SUFFERED BEFORE THAT. FORD HAS TOLD ME THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SALTY CONDITIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA AND DO NOT COVER CORROSION. THIS UNUSUAL WEAR HAS CREATED UNSAFE BRAKING CONDITIONS AND BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE WHICH WERE NOT EXPECTED SO EARLY IN THE VEHICLE LIFE.
PRE-MATURE WEAR OF REAR BRAKE ROTORS. AFTER 34,000 MILES, SQUEAKING BRAKES DEVELOPED. UPON INSPECTION, BOTH REAR BRAKE ROTORS ARE SEVERELY SCORED WHILE FRONT ROTORS SHOW NO WEAR (SMOOTH IN APPEARANCE). REAR BRAKE PADS ARE STILL AT 8MM THICKNESS. REAR ROTORS WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED IN NEAR FUTURE AT OUR EXPENSE.
TRANSMISSION MAKES WINING NOISE REAR BRAKES GO AT40000 THOU WHEEL BEARINGS GO AT 55000 MILES TRANS JERKS WHEN YOU SHIFT
2016 FORD ESCAPE 1.6 SE AWD HAS FRONT BRAKE SQUEELING PROPLEM ONCE HEATED UP AND OCCASIONALLY WHEN DRIVEN FOR SHORTER TIMES. ABOUT 3/4 AROUND TOWN, 1/4 HIGHWAY DRIVING. BROUGHT IN TO FORD AFTER ABOUT 1 YEAR. THEY SANDED THE SURFACE OF THE PADS, ROTORS. PROBLEM CEASED FOR A LITTLE OVER 8 MONTHS. PROBLEM RETURNED AND NOT BROUGHT IN UNTIL INCESSANT LIKE BEFORE. THIS TIME, NOTHING WAS DONE. WAS TOLD WITH NO ABNORMAL SIGNS, THIS WAS NORMAL. VIN CHECK RETURNS NO RECALLS.
CONSTANT SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE BRAKES. THIS PROBLEM WAS ADDRESS TO THE FORD MOTOR PEOPLE. THE CAR TAKEN IN SEVERAL TIME FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM...
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH ON INTERSTATE 95 WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION AND I RAN INTO THE BACK OF A 18 WHEELER TRUCK. THANKFULLY I WAS NOT HURT. FORD INSISTS THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE IN DIFFERENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE BRAKES MADE AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 11/01/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN MAKING SHARP LEFT TURNS, THE BRAKES MADE A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. ALSO, THERE WAS A SCRAPING ROUGH FEELING WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. UPDATED 12/13/16.*JB
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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