2016 Ford Escape Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 2%of 1,172 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 23,800miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the visibility of the 2016 Ford Escape, 2% of the 1,172 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 23,800 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Something is wrong with the design of the windshield. I just replaced the windshield on july 19, 2019, and have a cracked windshield again today, august 12, 2019. In my 30 years of driving, I've never had to replace a windshield for cracking and now I've done it twice in less than a month.”
NHTSA complaint #11243351, filed 2019-08, 23,800 miles“The back windshield on my 2016 Ford Escape shattered for the second time within the past year and a half for no apparent reason. In both instances, the vehicle was parked. The first time it occurred while I was warming up the car one morning at my residence with the back defroster on. The second occurrence happened while the vehicle was parked at my place of employment this week, which I did not discover until the middle of the day upon approaching the vehicle. The back defroster was used while warming up the vehicle that morning. …”
NHTSA complaint #11073031, filed 2018-02, 17,000 miles“****note - VIN for a toyota rav4 2010, not a 2016 Ford Escape. Need more information **** in light rain, the wipers jam on the windshield. At times, directly in your view. This occurs frequently. It occurs when moving and stationary.”
NHTSA complaint #11119537, filed 2018-08, 24,750 miles“Windshield wipers completely stopped working on june 20, 2019. Confirmed it was not a fuse. It was summer while I was away on vacation when this happened which is an 8 hr drive from home. Wipers spontaneously started working like normal after two days not working. That same day on june 22, 2019 during drive in 95 degree heat on highway in stand still traffic on 8 hour drive home, wipers started turning on at variable speeds on their own and could not be shut off, changed speeds, or affected by anything with the wiper switch. The wipers are not automatic or rain sensing and it was a clear day. …”
NHTSA complaint #11228586, filed 2019-06, 59,941 miles“The rear backup camera intermittently cuts in and out. The touch screen also intermittently turns black and is unresponsive. After it died, I replaced the infotainment touchscreen computer. The rear backup camera is still intermittent and unreliable. Other owners have complained online about poor seals in the rear wiper assembly, which leads to leaks that corrode the camera's wiring harness and cause an intermittent video signal. I feel this is a known problem that Ford is choosing to ignore and is dangerous when the backup camera cuts out while backing up.”
NHTSA complaint #11626598, filed 2024-11Related service bulletins
- 10164508Aug 9, 2019Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in…
- 10152479Nov 21, 20182013-2019 Escape and 2015-2019 MKC vehicles equipped with a power roof opening panel will exhibit a small vent opening position of 5 mm (.197 in). This is the normal vent…
- 10091125Oct 27, 2016All 2013-2017 escape vehicles exhibit a frayed/cut short appearance at the front edge of the headliner near the windshield. This is a normal characteristic of the headliner and…
- 10092555Aug 18, 2016Some 2015-2017 focus/c-max/escape vehicles equipped with one touch up feature. The 2016-2017 workshop manual section 501-11 was updated 8/2016 with revised diagnostics, the 2015…
- 10092551Aug 15, 2016For 2016 escape, the plant complexity of windshields went up with the introduction of the heated wiper. To reduce the plant complexity, there is only one windshield for vehicles…
- 10075263Mar 3, 2016WIND OR WHISTLE NOISE FROM EXTERIOR MIRROR(S) AT HIGHWAY SPEED - BUILT ON OR BEFORE 1/22/2016 ISSUE Some 2013-2016 Escape vehicles built on or before 1/22/2016 may exhibit a wind…
- 10204994Mar 1, 2016Online automotive service information system for March 2016
- 10204998Jan 22, 2016Wind or whistle noise from exterior mirror(s) at highway speed - buklt on or before 01/22/2016
- 10058701Aug 14, 2015Ford: 2013-2016 escape vehicles will have a whistling or wind type noise from exterior mirrors, at highway speed
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 4% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 4 | 2% |
| 2021 | 26 | 7% |
| 2020 | 71 | 4% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 13 | 1% |
| 2017 | 15 | 1% |
| 2016 | 20 | 2% |
| 2015 | 21 | 2% |
| 2014 | 27 | 1% |
| 2013 | 38 | 1% |
| 2012 | 20 | 3% |
| 2011 | 45 | 3% |
| 2010 | 90 | 4% |
| 2009 | 13 | 1% |
| 2008 | 29 | 1% |
| 2007 | 11 | 4% |
| 2006 | 21 | 5% |
| 2005 | 37 | 3% |
| 2004 | 16 | 3% |
| 2003 | 5 | 1% |
| 2002 | 34 | 3% |
| 2001 | 36 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2016 Ford Escape
321 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
252 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Ford Escape
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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