Backup camera fails intermittently and unpredictability. Often just a blank blue screen appears, sometimes an error message over a video image appears, and other times the camera works at first but fails after a few seconds. It can work one minute, and the next time the car is shifted into reverse (such as when parallel parking) it may not work (or vice-versa). OBDII fault codes indicate a possible communications/electrical issue. Online reports reveal that there are scores of other owners of model year 2014-2019 Ford Escapes with the same or similar issues with their back-up cameras (one mentioned having theirs replaced at least _4 times_ while the car was still in its warranty period). No other warning lamps are available. The alert text that (only sometimes) appears on the display screen when the camera fails is non-specific (e.g. “Camera not available.”). This has been occurring for at least the last 3 or 4 years. For all intents and purposes, since this fault is so unpredictable, I can no longer consider this car to possess a back-up camera. Safety: while I have never had a serious, another driver could easily fail to see and possibly collide with property or individuals while reversing (especially when the camera image disappears in the middle of an in-progress reversing operation). I am more than happy to make my vehicle available for inspection upon request. Ford has issued a recall for the seemingly identical issue for 2020 model year vehicles, but not for my 2016 Ford Escape (nor, to my knowledge, many other model years using an identical camera and display design).
2016 Ford Escape electrical complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 95, newest first, as owners wrote them.
ABS module is obsolete and unavailable from Ford
The rear back up camera works intermittently and the car will not start intermittently cannot find the issue it has left stuck at places because it would not start. Changed the battery and all electrical checked out ok.
Auto was purchased from a dealership on 5/31/2023. We drove less than a mile down the road and a warning for "hood ajar" came on. We immediately pulled over only to find the hood was latched. Over the next few months there were numerous other warning/electrical items that came up: trunk ajar warning, problems opening the trunk, back up camera would often go black when car was in reverse, car would start honking like the alarm was going off when it was just sitting in garage with nobody near the car. The car was brought to the dealer on 6/14/23 for a separate recall issue and an electrician was supposed to look at these issues but they weren't at the dealership when we arrived for our scheduled appt. Couldn't get a new appt for a few weeks so went to our local auto shop who confirmed the issues and felt we could try a new battery which he put in on 6/30/23. Went to the Ford dealership on 8/31/2023 and they said we needed to have the APIM replaced and the rear park aid camera and latch. We couldn't afford these repairs. Since then we have taken the car in for tire rotation/oil change. This past week the car will not start unless we jump it with a battery cable. We looked into recalls and found out our VIN isn't under the recall. Obviously, these are safety issues that we had hoped would be covered by the recall. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Rear backup camera works intermittently. One time display screen was solid white, the next time it was solid green, abd the third time it was solid purple. Yet the reverse guidelines still showed all three times. Fuses are good and recently had battery replaced at dealership.
In Aug. 2021 my 2016 Ford Escape’s Sync/NAV stopped connecting to my iPhone. I went to Fullerton Ford in Somerville, NJ and a Service Advisor (SA) determined that Sync would not connect with his iPhone or mine. Another SA connected with his Android phone and it worked perfectly. Everything else related to the Sync/NAV was working. I did research online on connecting Sync with iPhone, and was finally able to reconnect to Bluetooth, but never able to connect with the Sync/NAV system. After weeks of trying get the Sync/NAV to work I had it diagnosed by Fullerton Ford. On Sept. 29, 2021 I paid a $100 diagnostic fee to assess the problem. I spent 7 hours waiting while it was worked on. They talked with the technical “hotline” but were unable to determine why the Sync/NAV worked with the Android but not the iPhone. They suggested the problem “could be” the APIM which would cost $866.16 to replace, but told me that they could not guarantee that replacing the APIM would solve the problem. Without a guarantee that spending $966.16 would solve the problem I declined. It was noted on the invoice that the APIM had given a faulty reading but the Service Advisor never told me that or what else could happen if the APIM failed. I suffered with the iPhone issue until Nov. 6, 2023 when I brought the car to Ciocca Ford in Flemington, NJ for service. I’d learned there was an update to the Sync system so I asked them to do that upgrade. When the car was “finished” the SA advised me that the whole Sync/NAV system had been disabled because the 3 attempts to do the Sync upgrade completely blew out the APIM module, and that it would cost $1,100 to replace it! Now I have no Sync/NAV system at all; no radio, clock, NAV, reverse parking support, or Bluetooth. In addition, the phone charging ports and upper vents of the heating system don’t work and I don’t know what else isn’t working. Other Ford owners have made complaints about APIM module failures to the federal safety agency, so Ford should do a recall.
outside key pad is making sounds of door locks locking and unlocking with flashers coming on driving down the rd second time after replacing outside keypad in 2021 at a ford dealership in northern michigan the problem has returned 11-1-2023.i tapped on the outside of the door keypad surface, the problem hasnt came back in the last few days, i believe it will reappear at some point though
The rear view backup camera is faulty and doesn't always work. Sometimes it comes on, but most of the time it just doesn't turn on. There is no specific set of circumstances that dictates if it will work or not.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the instrument cluster had become inoperative, and the screen failed to display any information, including the speedometer. The contact stated that during the failure, the screen had displayed an extremely bright white light which created a visibility hazard for the driver. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Vehicle check engine light goes on usually during hot weather. Vehicle stalls and hesitates on acceleration causing unsafe conditions with traffic, intersections, etc.
My hazard lights start blinking Turn signals start blinking Doors lock and unlock all without warning Have not had checked out at dealer It costs $139.00 per hour to diagnosis BOUGHT CAR 5/25/23 The car had been in accident before I bought it
Rear camera dosnt always want to work at times when backing up, there will be times where it comes on and cuts out , or it cuts out and comes back on on all pixelised (distorted) , or it dosnt come on at all , then there are times where it works , ive had my mechanic look into it and couldnt figure out the issue ...i did buy an oem backup camera from the junkyard off an escape 3 years newer then mine but didnt fix the issue
I order a nav upgrade from Ford $299, was unable to install it Ford said go to dealer, car was going to dealer for abs sensor bad and vehicle collision sensor bad, dealer fixed other two problems but couldnt upgrade nav and while dealer tried they killed the whole radio/sync/nav/handsfree turn the touch screen black and unresponsive. Now they want $1000 plus for APIM replacement. I could live without the navigation update but now Ford's sync update killed my APIM/sync/radio/handsfree and I cannot live without that.
Engine control computer malfunction is causing the engine, SYNC, bluetooth, brake lights, and rearview camera to malfunction.
Rear view camera stopped working almost a year ago, and out of no where the transmission stopped working. I recently just got an oil change and asked for the works to get my whole car checked out and that report as all the reports before it came back with no issues. So found it surprising that this happened.
Today- 5/22/2023 - Ford dealer attempted to perform sync3 software update from version 1 to version 3 as promoted and advertised by Ford Motor Co. This was performed by dealer after personal attempts at Wi-Fi and flash drive update processes failed. Following dealer attempted sync 3 update, no update could be accomplished and the synch 3 system is now not active- no radio, Bluetooth( hands free phone usage), no rear camera or safety alarm for potential obstacles when backing up. I was informed the issue is a common result due to defective APIM module. Yet Ford promotes/ provides the software updates ( free) thru their website/ dealers. I have filed a claim with Ford today and initially told there is nothing they can do, but I can purchase a new APIM module ($750) and have it installed ($300) that may correct this.
I had the bushing recall done. My interior lights no longer work. I keep getting brake lamp bulb warning. AutoNation dealer Amherst stated it was the battery. Charged me $100 to run diagnostic. Took vehicle to Walmart for battery replacement. Did not fix the issue.
The specific problem is the ignition switch. Car suddenly shut down the first time while in park, after testing determined it was the ignition switch. Replaced with non OEM switch, same exact problem happened the next day. Replaced with Ford genuine part. Problem still happening, now the car is dying while in motion. Car will not restart once it stops, all lights on dash come on and flicker and then everything dies at once, all electrical components. Vehicle was inspected by mechanic. The problem has been reproduced multiple times even after the ignition switch was replaced. There were no warning lamps or messages or any other symptoms prior to the problem. Nobody can seem to fix this problem and the car is a danger to drive.
The vehicle is only 6 years old and the audio control module stopped working, rendering me without a radio. Southgate Ford dealership in Southgate, MI informed me that this is a known issue. I would like to see accountability and have this audio control module recalled. A search online shows many users experience this issue. Not having a working radio is a safety issue. Having access to emergency radio bulletins while driving is imperative. A known issue should be recalled.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that there was as an abnormal audible alarm sounding inside the vehicle. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) but was informed by the dealer that the recall repair would not fix the failure with the vehicle. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced and was given an estimate for repair. The contact disputed the diagnosis and believed that the failure was related to the vehicle's computer system. The manufacturer was notified of the recall and was referred to the federal safety agency for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000. The contact stated that the dealer that the vehicle was purchased from was aware of the defect beforehand.
APIM crashed after I attempted to do the upgrade The local Ford Dealer tried to repair this but we're unable to and Ford will not cover this because it was 3 months past warranty
I crashed car because is park according with transmission and car still moved and hit fence, I contact ford for this incident and still waiting someone contact me. So I decide lawsuits against Ford
Back up camera just stopped working then my radio went out a week later. It seems this needs to be made a recall since another car owners are having the same issues I am. APIM may need to be resolved.
I pulled into a walkway access and a passenger got out and closed the door. I shifted the gear shift to reverse and backed up so I could proceed to my left and shifted the gear shift to Drive but, the vehicle went backward. Sitting there with my foot on the brake I turned the key off. I was unable to put it in Park until pushing it to a better position and removing power to the fuse box rather than searching for the fuse that got it. While in Park the reverse lights were on, so I was not able to start; I had it towed to a mechanic because it was stuck in reverse. The next day I learned the mechanic was unable to get information from the modules and it needed to be transported to the local dealership. I have now missed 2 nights of work and the Dealership estimates the 23rd for completion but is not providing a rental nor loner; so poor manufacturing on good faith purchase is complaint here. Additional info - I did hear clicking on the interstate from forward in the vehicle and a brake light bulb went out between receiving the safety notice and the breakdown. I'm not sure I recall the rear video for backing was on or off. I recall an incident last winter while sliding on ice and a semi was in a slide toward me that with the wheels locked in breaking it died when shifting to reverse; it's safer if it does shift because cars can spin on ice into oncoming traffic and I've kept the oncoming traffic lane free before.
We bought this car used. Every since purchase the rear camera has failed off and on. The radio as well as display seems to do as it wants. I try not to depend on camera but the other issues bother me. Seems to be random things happen that all seem to tie back to the darn display or the SYNC3 part of it. I see a TSB 21-2175 that seems to hit on it. I also see the recall on other Escapes. Mine is a 2016. Really bothers me. I am afraid it is going to cause engine to stop in traffic. Or what if a child walks behind me? You only allow me to enter one date. This is random and happens a lot. It is getting worse and more frequent. First did it at 40,000 now has 100,000 and still doing it. Have asked folks and got nowhere.
While driving the engine stopped. Coasted to side of road. Towed. Code read camshaft position sensor
Ford Sync 3 system malfunctions randomly. GPS will show inaccurate location and inaccurate directions leading to misguiding down wrong street or wrong ways. Additionally, backup camera may not display on the screen which is a safety hazard when backing up. Problem may be related to the APIM which is a known issue in many of their other vehicles.
Cooling fan failure.. resulting in $1300 in repairs not needed and is now in shop for more money… to reapir
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ford escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was at the local dealer south bay ford located at 5100 rosecrans avenuehawthorne, ca 90250 when the center console phone charger suddenly caught on fire destroying the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. No additional information was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,000.
Starting back in the summer of 2020 my car would not start, like the battery was dead. The car was parked in my garage, always stationary. I had replaced the battery in jul of 2019. I've taken it to 3 mechanics testing the electrical system at $300 and also testing the battery at the other mechanics. After doing some research I found that the fob talks to the car even when it's not on or when the fob is not near the car. A couple months ago I purchased a trickle charger which I used for a month or so until I started to put the fob in a faraday cage to block the signal from the fob to the car. This seemed to help for a while until last week when I could not start my car. Again, acting like the battery was dead. I've also purchased a jump starter which was working when the car wouldn't start. The problem has gotten worse in the last week as I've had to jump it several times. I'm really at a loss as to what to do next other than sell the car.
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