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RECALLROADTHE CAMPAIGN RECORD

MODEL-YEAR RECALL REPORT

2016 Ford Escape recalls

NHTSA's September 21, 2026 snapshot lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Ford Escape, spanning 4 component groups. A model match does not confirm that a specific VIN is included.

Official source: NHTSA recall campaign file · Snapshot September 21, 2026

Distinct campaigns4not VIN-specific
Component groups4distinct top-level categories
Latest recordJanuary 15, 2026report received
VIN resultNot checkeduse official lookup

01 / OFFICIAL CAMPAIGNS

2016 Ford Escape recall campaigns

The 2016 Ford Escape report contains 4 distinct NHTSA campaigns; the most recently received record is campaign 26V011000 dated January 15, 2026.
Component
EQUIPMENT
Report received
January 15, 2026
Potential units
116,672campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Why it matters: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.

Owner notification: Date not reported · Filing manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Component
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Report received
October 13, 2025
Potential units
1,448,655campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Why it matters: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.

Owner notification: January 2, 2026 · Filing manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Component
POWER TRAIN
Report received
June 10, 2022
Potential units
2,925,968campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

Why it matters: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

Owner notification: October 27, 2022 · Filing manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 17V398000

Component
AIR BAGS
Report received
June 26, 2017
Potential units
3campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Ford Escape vehicles. The driver's knee airbag modules installed in these vehicles were produced without the inflator gas generant material, and, as a result, the air bags may not inflate properly in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection.".

Why it matters: In the event of a crash, if the driver's knee air bag does not inflate as intended, the driver has an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace driver's knee air bag, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C11.

Owner notification: August 8, 2017 · Filing manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

02 / COMPONENT BREADTH

What defects are listed for the 2016 Ford Escape?

The most frequent component groups in 2016 Ford Escape campaign records are Air Bags (1), Power Train (1), Back Over Prevention (1), Equipment (1); these counts describe filed campaigns rather than observed failure rates.
Air Bags1
Power Train1
Back Over Prevention1
Equipment1