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Engine coolingPart report

2016 Ford Escape Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
57about this part
Share
5%of 1,170 total for the year
Median mileage
95,500miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 57 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2016 Ford Escape, 5% of the 1,170 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,500 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The coolant leaks into the engine. I have already had it fixed before. It did it again and ruined my engine. I am now on the hook to replace the engine and still paying the car off. Looking to Google shows this is a known issue that ford refuses to address and has cost thousands of people a lot of money.”

NHTSA complaint #11582796, filed 2024-04

“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his nephew who is a mechanic was replacing the front passenger’s side ball joint, he observed that the radiator was hanging down and the support brackets were rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11613815, filed 2024-09, 160,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 60–65 MPH, coolant was leaking into the engine. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that an engine replacement was needed. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11592089, filed 2024-06, 105,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The dealer recommended that the engine be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11660318, filed 2025-05, 40,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11499317, filed 2022-12, 69,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025415%
202411%
202344%
202263%
202141%
2020121%
20199416%
201834519%
201750919%
2016575%
2015444%
20141879%
20131756%
201261%
2011171%
2010352%
2009372%
2008382%
200762%
2006215%
2005906%
2004184%
2003478%
200229429%
200128228%

Other parts of the 2016 Ford Escape

Transmission and drivetrain
321 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
250 complaints
Engine
200 complaints
Other or unknown
158 complaints
Electrical system
95 complaints
Steering
73 complaints
Fuel system
71 complaints
Vehicle speed control
32 complaints
Wheels
32 complaints
Air bags
25 complaints
Brakes
21 complaints
Body and structure
21 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Ford Escape

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology