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7.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,280
Average Mileage:
52,850 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
  2. replace canister purge valve (1 reports)
  3. replace turbo charger (1 reports)
  4. throttle replaced body (1 reports)
2016 Ford Escape engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Ford Escape Owner Comments

problem #9

Dec 092019

Escape 1.8L Lt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving to work my check engine light started flashing. Then I lost power. I went 70mph to 40mph. I eventually put it in neutral and revved the engine and it did come out of it. I AM WORRIED! I live in North Dakota and today was -18 below. My wife has a cold allergy, and if we stall, it could be life threatening.

- dhalvorson, Rugby, US

problem #8

Aug 252021

Escape SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,500 miles

Very dissapointed in Ford. Turbo went out with only 81,000 miles on 2016 Escape. Over $3,000 to replace it. Will NEVER buy a Ford again.

- sharbales, Idaho Springs, US

problem #7

Nov 162020

Escape 1.6L Eco Boost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

Dealer quoted $846. Charged $179 to run an emission test!!! A total rip off.

I am getting it checked by a repupitable mechanic. Cost should be no more than $300 if that!!

- Dennis C., Atlanta, US

problem #6

Aug 172020

Escape Titanium 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,883 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Of the various issues ranging from A/C & heater issues, to issues with the turbo, the engine issue has been the longest and ongoing issue.

I took the car in because it was feeling underpowered, like a coil/spark plug were going out, and it seemed right based off the mileage off the car. I made an appointment for the dealer for 8/17/20, at this point the engine light was on and the engine is really underpowered and noticeably rougher on start up, like it needs to clear its throat. A few days later, Dealer says it's the spark plug or coil, something like that, we'll fix it, whatever. Three days later the car is doing the exact same thing but more noticeably, so I call the dealer back and make an appointment for when they will be able to give me a loaner car to examine mine.

At first they couldn't diagnose the issue, but could see what I was talking about. It took them a month to advise me that the issue was in the engine bay and needed to be taken apart as they think the engine is leaking exhaust and coolant from somewhere in the engine and needed to be completely taken apart to diagnose what is wrong (luckily, I have the extended warranty). I was advised of the full issue but it was given to me in technical terms at a busy moment.

Long story short, 20 some odd loaner cars later, it's the first week of December, and the dealer allegedly cannot get the parts or is still diagnosing more issues that come up? In two weeks it will be literally 4 months the dealership has had my car; I didn't even get a diagnosis until mid-October!

- Gabriel D., Sterling Heights, MI, US

problem #5

Jun 112019

Escape LS 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

My engine service light came on so I took it to the dealership where I purchased my car. They weren't sure what the problem was as all the tech guys were gone for the day. When you clicked the OK button it would leave for a while. Well about two weeks later it came back on only to find out it was one of three things.

I could need all my hoses replaced as my car overheated. Which I was very upset as I watch my gauges very close. Then, it could be that I need new spark plugs as the code was reading a misfire in the system. I was like OK. Lastly, they said I would need a whole new engine. I was shocked. So I was given a loaner car until my engine came in and my be fixed. I am still waiting on an engine with no idea when Ford will have one and I am driving the loaner cars they are given me. Now I find out yesterday that if I put 2,000 miles on the car I must return it to get another one.

I can't figure out if this is a problem with the actual manufacturing of the engine or a defect. I can't get any answers on what happen to the engine that came with my car. I have been told repeatedly I did nothing to hurt this engine. They don't know what happen.

- Patricia L., CHINA GROVE, US

problem #4

Aug 052018

Escape SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

This is a 2016 vehicle and should not have any issues like engine light on. Had it checked at a local Ford dealership and they said the code that came up had to do with the catalytic converter. There is no way that it should have issues already with the mileage I have on it. I am concerned to drive it.

- Kendra N., Alta, IA, US

problem #3

Oct 152016

Escape SE Ecoboost 4wd

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle lunges and violently shakes from idle to 25 mph - certainly unsafe to drive, so shut down. Restart. Drive through residential neighborhood and problem reappears with engine warning light. Shut down and call roadside assistance for tow to dealer. Service Monday 10/18. Will update.

- Andrea H., Green Bay, WI, US

problem #2

Sep 182016

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,493 miles

I purchased by 2016 Ford Escape in March of 2016, it has just under 10,000 miles on it. Aboout a month ago I noticed it began to have a little shakiness to it when I idled but seeing how this is a new car I dismissed it as part of the break in process. That is until a couple of days ago when I accelerated the engine fault / service engine lights and alarms came on and the car shook and slowed to a ridiculous 5 MPH. I hobbled to the side of the road, shut the car off and restarted it. The engine lights went away and all was good so I drove it home and took it to the dealer the next day. The dealer informed me that a recall was just announced on 2016 Ford Escapes for an electronic throttle body that resulted in the exact symptoms my car experienced. According to the recall notice the dealer provided (as I had not yet received one in the mail) it said the throttle body may devlelop contamination resulting in the vehicle going into protective mode which essentially slows you down to about 5MPH, which is not cool and incredibly dangerous if you are on the freeway. So for the inital fix the dealer did a reprogram of the computer and assured me the problem would not happen again. Sure enough later that night the same thing happened, with a new twist. This time the wrench displayed on my dash along with the engine fault, but the car did not shake. The next morning as I was at an intersection the car starting shaking and shut off. Just precious. The good news is it started up and I managed to return it to the dealer letting him know that 3 episodes of the same problem within 24 hours is completely unacceptable (note to self read up on California Lemon Law). This time around he told me that other Escape owners had come in repeatedly with this same issue. He said the true fix was to replace the throttle but FORD told them not to do that as an initial fix (makes no sense). Since I returned my car two days in a row with the same issue they decided to take a closer look because the reprogramming clearly did not fix the issue. This time they did replace the throttle (or throttle sensor I'm not sure yet but will find out when I pick my car up later today). Hopefully this replacement fixes the issue for good.

- tashaca, Chula Vista, CA, US

problem #1

Dec 092015

Escape SE 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,500 miles

Leased on Aug. 12th 2016 Ford Escape SE 4wd 1.6 engine. Day I picked up battery was dead. They jumped it and it was OK for twp days. Dead battery again. Put new battery in. Two weeks later, dead battery again. Finally figured a module had to be reset. Fine, that issue solved.

Started hearing a clunking noise underneath toward back of vehicle. Took it in, they did not hear anything. Said if it gets worse to come back in. Stayed the same but for a new vehicle it should not be having that sound...was starting to smell sulfur too recently. Does not seem to have good pickup either. Step on gas and engine reeves up to 5 or 6 rpm with no immediate pickup. Have had car four months with 3900 miles and engine light came on yesterday. They say the oil was low. How? They think it is the turbo sucking it up and will maybe replace. Have to run more tests. Could the turbo have gone bad and something with that make it have a clunk sound? Not sure. The cheap Focus they gave me as a loaner has better pickup than the Escape.

Not happy since day one. I am stuck with a car for three years and having issue after issue.

- Stacy L., Mechanicville, NY, US

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