2016 Ford Escape
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD, 4dr SUV FWD
- Engines
- 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 168–240 hp
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 26 combined · 23 city / 31 hwy
- Length
- 178.7 in
- Curb weight
- 3,605–3,777 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Strong performanceUp to 240 hp, versus about 185 hp for similar 2016 models.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Many owner complaints1,172 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 306 for similar models — most often about the power train.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 21 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2016 Ford Escape is a small SUV offered with 3 engines (1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 179 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,777 lb (4dr SUV AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (23 city / 31 highway), 6% better than the 2016 small SUV average of 24.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,600 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 1172 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
What changed for 2016
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2015 Escape — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Escape →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Louisville, Kentucky
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2016 Escape configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD | 178.7 in | 72.4 in | 66.1 in | 105.9 in | 61.4 / 61.8 in | 3,777 lb | 57/43 |
| 4dr SUV FWD | 178.7 in | 72.4 in | 66.1 in | 105.9 in | 61.4 / 61.8 in | 3,605 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escape FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 31 / 26 | +6% | $2,600 | 338 |
| Escape FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 30 / 25 | +2% | $2,700 | 357 |
| Escape AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 29 / 25 | +9% | $2,700 | 359 |
| Escape FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | -2% | $2,800 | 365 |
| Escape AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 23 | 0% | $2,900 | 381 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Ford Escape SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 18.5% |
| 2016 Ford Escape SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 19.1% |


Similar 2016 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Ford Escape (this car) | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2016 Toyota RAV4 | 32 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2016 Honda CR-V | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2016 Hyundai Tucson | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2016 Subaru Forester | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2016 Mazda CX-5 | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2016 Honda HR-V | 31 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
Recalls (4)
Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater · Jan 15, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V011000 · 116,672 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- 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.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Oct 13, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V695000 · 1,448,655 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Power Train › Shift Linkage/Cable/Rod · Jun 10, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V413000 · 2,925,968 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Air Bags › Knee Bolster · Jun 26, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V398000 · 3 vehicles
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Not every 2016 Ford Escape is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2016 Ford Escape buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Power Train — 309 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Back Over Prevention — 216 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Engine — 200 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 69,109 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Ford Escape. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Escape years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Escape | 40 | 180.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 4 |
| 2025 Escape | 40 | 180.7 in | Not rated | 10 | 31 |
| 2024 Escape | 39 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 10 | 88 |
| 2023 Escape | 40 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 13 | 139 |
| 2022 Escape | 41 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 21 | 386 |
| 2021 Escape | 41 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 21 | 498 |
| 2020 Escape | 41 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 25 | 1,910 |
| 2019 Escape | 26 | 178.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 599 |
| 2018 Escape | 26 | 178.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 1,822 |
| 2017 Escape | 26 | 178.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 2,702 |
| 2015 Escape | 26 | 178.7 in | ★★★★★ | 9 | 1,132 |
| 2014 Escape | 26 | 178.7 in | ★★★★★ | 16 | 2,023 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →