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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2016 Ford Escape Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
321about this part
Share
27%of 1,175 total for the year
Median mileage
88,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 321 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Ford Escape, 27% of the 1,175 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 88,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

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

“My 2016 Ford Escape torque converter in my transmission exploded at 85,000 miles. Aamco told me its a known problem with this transmission. Ford should have a recall on this part. When the transmission failed, I was in heavy traffic and travelling around 30 MPH. Cost $5400.00 to repair because the metal shavings went back into the transmission. Very dangerous!”

NHTSA complaint #11319883, filed 2020-03, 85,000 miles

“Shift cable bushing came off shifter cable. Gear shift moves but does not engage in any gear nor does the dash shift indicator show it is in any gear. Truck starts, engine revs and all breaks and lights are working. It was fine yesterday when I parked it in my sloped driveway. Today it will not engage in order to drive.”

NHTSA complaint #11338042, filed 2020-07, 69,397 miles

“I was driving home from work and the car shuck and the transmission made a whinning sound and the car rolled to a stop because the transmission would;nt shift.I barely made it home..parked it in garage and now looking for answers to what happened. The transmission cost from $1500.00 to $4000.00”

NHTSA complaint #11405148, filed 2021-03, 161,000 miles

“Driving at 55mph on a highway, car sputtered a few times then slowed to zero, would not respond to gas pedal. Thankfully I was able to get to the side of the road. Had car towed to garage and just got word that the transmission has to be replaced... In my 3 year old car with 70000 miles. Ford says too bad out of warranty.”

NHTSA complaint #11234220, filed 2019-07, 70,000 miles

“The car just quit without any warning stopped dead. Left me stranded and had to have it towed to the dealership. It was driving fine and the next thing I know the tact was going way up and my speed was not. Then the transmission fault came on the dashboard display. This was on a rural road busy traffic.”

NHTSA complaint #11279654, filed 2019-11, 85,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025312%
202423%
20232525%
20223113%
20214613%
202024315%
201912821%
201827615%
201739114%
201632127%
201528725%
201448123%
201340115%
20126611%
201126820%
201050825%
200930118%
200832917%
20074417%
20068017%
20051178%
2004275%
20035510%
200210510%
200112813%
2000120%

Other parts of the 2016 Ford Escape

Back-over prevention (rear camera)
255 complaintsEngine
200 complaintsOther or unknown
158 complaintsElectrical system
95 complaintsSteering
73 complaintsFuel system
71 complaintsEngine cooling
57 complaintsVehicle speed control
32 complaintsWheels
32 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsBody 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 29, 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