Car · Ford recalls

2016 Ford Escape recalls

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2016 Ford Escape, filed between June 26, 2017 and January 15, 2026. Each one is below with what is wrong and the free fix.

Check my VIN for open recalls

Campaign	Filed	Part
26V011000	January 15, 2026	Equipment: engine block heater
25V695000	October 13, 2025	Back over prevention: camera
22V413000	June 10, 2022	Power train: gear position indication (prndl)
17V398000	June 26, 2017	Air bags: knee bolster

Equipment: engine block heater (26V011000)

Filed January 15, 2026

What is wrong. 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.

What could happen. An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

The 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: camera (25V695000)

Filed October 13, 2025

What is wrong. 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.

What could happen. A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The 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: gear position indication (prndl) (22V413000)

Filed June 10, 2022

What is wrong. 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.

What could happen. 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.

The 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 (17V398000)

Filed June 26, 2017

What is wrong. 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."

What could happen. 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.

The 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.

Check that your car is on the list

Most campaigns cover only cars built in a certain date range or at a certain plant, so a 2016 Ford Escape may or may not be included. The VIN is the only sure test. It is 17 characters, on the dashboard by the windshield and on the driver door jamb sticker. Look up your VIN.

How to confirm the repair is free

Call any authorized Ford dealer service desk and give them the VIN and the campaign number from the list above.
Ask them to confirm the campaign is open for your car. If it is, the parts and labor are covered.
If the dealer says the part is not in stock, ask for a written note with the date, and ask about a loaner if the notice says not to drive the car.
Keep the repair order. It shows the campaign number and proves the work was done.

If you already paid for a repair that a recall later covered, Ford may owe you a refund. Ask the dealer or Ford customer service about reimbursement, and keep your receipts.

Other model years of the Escape

More: all Ford recalls, check-engine codes, car repair costs.

2016 Ford Escape recall questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Escape have?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2016 Ford Escape. A campaign can cover only some cars of that model year, so check your VIN to see whether yours is included.

Is a recall repair on a 2016 Ford Escape free?

Yes. A safety recall repair is free at an authorized Ford dealer, whatever the age or mileage of the car and no matter who owns it now.

How do I know if my 2016 Ford Escape was already fixed?

Enter the VIN on our recall page. If a campaign is still open, it shows as open. You can also ask a dealer to run the VIN, or look at the service history paperwork for the campaign number.

Source: NHTSA recalls API, checked 2026-10-28. Text is NHTSA's wording of each campaign. New campaigns are added over time. Not a repair shop, estimates only.