2016 Ford Escape: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Sep 9, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MI

On July 7, 2026, at approximately 113,080 miles, my 2016 Ford Escape displayed a “Transmission Fault – Service Now” warning. The exact failed component is currently UNKNOWN, but the issue appears to involve the transmission/powertrain and possibly an electrical fault. While driving, I experienced abnormal symptoms including a rotational/squeaking noise from the front-right area and an air-leak/pressure-type noise from the right side. The pressure-type noise could also be heard while revving the vehicle at idle. The Check Engine Light also illuminated. I took the vehicle to an independent repair facility on July 7, 2026. The mechanic documented the symptoms and diagnostic trouble codes and advised that additional electrical diagnosis was necessary to determine the exact cause. The transmission itself has not been conclusively diagnosed as failed, and I am not claiming a specific failed internal component without further inspection. I consider this a serious safety concern because an unresolved transmission or powertrain malfunction could potentially cause improper shifting, hesitation, reduced propulsion, loss of acceleration, or other unexpected vehicle behavior while driving in traffic. I contacted Ford regarding the problem and followed up again on July 17, 2026. After receiving no resolution, I contacted Ford again on September 9, 2026. Ford advised me that there was no exact timeframe for when the ASO would contact me and that the ASO may or may not contact me at all. I requested that Ford make a final escalation of the safety concern. Ford confirmed that my escalation and my intention to submit the unresolved safety issue to the federal safety agency were documented under Ford case CXH-08511841-T8X5L4. To my knowledge, Ford has not inspected the vehicle or provided a substantive resolution to the transmission/powertrain concern. I am also concerned that this may not be an isolated maintenance issue. I am aware of other owners reporting transmission and powertrain problems.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Body, Engine · 113,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine, with the engine revving. The contact stated that while turning off the vehicle, the engine was knocking very roughly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for failures with the bearings and the rotors. The contact stated that there were abnormal sounds coming from the bearings. The contact stated that the rotors were rusted, and there was a grinding sound coming from the rotors. The contact believed that the vehicle was a flood-damaged vehicle due to the rust on the rotors, bearings, and underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.

Filed Mar 3, 2026 · Transmission · TN

Transmission suddenly stopped working. Vehicle would not move. Now it’s making a terrible squealing sound and will barely move

Filed May 30, 2025 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 54,500 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping while shifting gear and the vehicle jerked abnormally. In addition, the contact noticed a grinding sound and a burning odor coming from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure began shortly after the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the vehicle was purchased. The contact was provided an option to trade the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that while reversing, the back over camera system displayed a black screen and became disabled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic regarding the back over camera system failure and the vehicle was diagnosed with an electrical systems failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,500.

Filed Jan 16, 2023 · Transmission · TX

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. In July of 2022, the contact received a safety recall notification from the federal safety agency under Campaign Number: 22V413 stating "the bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach." The owner then received another letter in October 2022 stating that remedy parts were available in which the owner took the vehicle to the local Ford dealership to have it repaired on November 17, 2022. At approximately 5:30am on December 28, 2022 the contact owner was heading to work. When the light turned green at a major intersection, the contact owner's stated the vehicle hesitated accelerating at low speeds despite being in gear (D). Fortunately, the owner pulled over at a shopping center parking lot and had the vehicle towed to the local Ford dealership. At the time of failure, no warning lights or messages were illuminated or displayed from the dashboard. Later that morning, the owner's son reproduced the issue and documented it on video. When the owner's son put the car into reverse (R) the car moved forward and when put into drive (D). The opposite occurred along with hearing a grinding (increased RPMs) and a popping noise when finally in gear. The failure mileage on the vehicle was 135,373 miles. The local Ford dealership confirmed the transmission pump had failed and would cost $1,600 out of the owner's pocket to tear down the transmission despite the owner purchasing an 3rd party extended warranty service from the local Ford dealership.

Filed Dec 6, 2022 · Transmission · 80,048 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard a grinding sound. The contact then stated that while shifting into drive(D), the vehicle hesitated and then stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The dealer was previously notified of the failure, and the contact was provided and appointment date; however, the vehicle had not yet been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,048.

Filed Oct 19, 2022 · Brakes · IN

This has been an intermittent problem that Ford dealership cannot rectify unless it happens to them. Because I can't make it happen, and it has not happened close to a dealership, they cannot see it. The brakes seize up and won't stop the vehicle. I have no idea when it will happen - it happens with no warning. It has happened in the mountains in NC and on the highway, in a gas station, in parking lots and in my garage among other places. It is very frightening. Last night when it happened it lasted for about 45 minutes - the longest ever, and the brakes made a terrible blaring noise. When the brakes seize up, I have to drive very slowly and practically stand up on the brakes to bring the car to a halt. Thankfully it has not happened at high speed. This puts me, any passengers and other vehicles and their passengers and drivers at risk. The problem has occurred several times, but has not been confirmed by a dealer. By the way, the brakes have been squeaky since the first few months of ownership. At one point the dealership resurfaced the brake pads and rotors. It seems like the same issue the 2016 Expedition was recalled for. I am scared that this will result in a terrible wreck. The first occurrence was on April 1, 2019. The most recent was last night, 10/18/2022. Today, Ford Customer Service gave me a case number of CAS39180084

Filed Apr 28, 2021 · Steering · 62,473 miles · PA

Steering failed while driving. It became very difficult to turn the steering wheel while driving. Made loud grinding sound and very difficult to move the wheel. As the vehicle became undrivable, it had to be towed.

Filed Oct 16, 2019 · Transmission · 94,000 miles · CA

Transmission failure at only 90k miles for a vehicle that was built in 2016 is absolutely crazy! The vehicle will not shift into gear and when it does it struggles to move under its own weight. The vehicle was at a stop when it jolted really hard. It felt like someone hit me from the back. After that jolt the car was making some grinding noises. We barely made it to a parking lot as the car was struggling to move in a busy street.

Filed May 21, 2019 · Steering · 69,109 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ford escape. Every time the vehicle's wheels were turned, a grinding noise was heard and the steering ability became difficult. The vehicle was taken to koons ford/lincoln (2540 riva rd, annapolis, md 21401) where it was diagnosed that the steering column was damaged and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,109.

Filed Feb 9, 2019 · Fuel system · 52,179 miles · VA

When accelerating on a highway (going 55 - 60 MPH) vehicle abruptly shifts gear and slows down on its own to the point of thinking the vehicle has stopped. This happened twice and then a few days later, the vehicle started hesitating terribly where the car was hopping down the road and would not go over 30 MPH. Then at a light it stalled out completely and I was nearly hit. After restarting, the vehicle would accelerate beyond 30 MPH. Had it towed to the dealership. Dealership was able to reproduce the following day where it happened three times to them. No codes present, but a couple historical codes for sensors. They indicated they were unsure if the sensors were the issue, but replaced. Picked vehicle up and the same thing happened today. Thankfully I was not on a major highway this time, but the call completely stalled at low speed with AC on and made a loud grinding noise. No check engine light this time either. Had to have it towed again to the dealership. They are currently unsure of the issue. I have no confidence this will be resolved. This issue seems similar to other reports and should be investigated as it is a major safety concern. I am happy to provide more information. I will be escalating this until appropriately resolved. Seems there should be a recall, based on the volume of reports.

Filed Aug 27, 2018 · Brakes · 34,000 miles · IL

Pre-mature wear of rear brake rotors. After 34,000 miles, squeaking brakes developed. Upon inspection, both rear brake rotors are severely scored while front rotors show no wear (smooth in appearance). Rear brake pads are still at 8mm thickness. Rear rotors will have to be replaced in near future at our expense.