2016 Ford Escape: sudden loss of power

Filed Mar 23, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · NM

The end of February was driving and I noticed white smoke blowing from my exaust, then my car lost power.

Filed Mar 2, 2026 · Driver assistance · 100,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. While the vehicle was in reverse(R), the back-over prevention camera displayed a blank screen or completely lost power. The image in the rear of the vehicle was displayed on the screen, then shortly afterwards, the screen went black. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed the part was not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Jan 22, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · PA

I have a 2016 Ford Escape SE with the Ecoboost engine. I have been experiencing the same issue with misfires in port 4 which also shows an open circuit every time as well for over the past year. The dealership has replaced everything underneath including but not limited to my spark plugs, wires, coils, and even my entire wiring harness. The issue is still happening and they do not know what is causing it. I think my vehicle may fall under the complaint failure FORD currently has on their 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 Ecoboost engines. It has been to the dealership for the same repairs over 8 different times. When is enough actually enough. I have lost power several times in traffic and it's like slamming on my brakes. This is how bad the misfire is. My check engine light has been flashing due to this issue as well as being on solid. Please help or advise.

Filed Jan 6, 2026 · Transmission · 99,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was attempting to reverse into the garage, the vehicle failed to respond as intended while in reverse(R). The contact stated that upon test-driving the vehicle, the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle felt like the transmission had shifted to neutral, and the vehicle started losing power. The contact stated that the failure occurred several times while driving to an independent mechanic. The contact pulled over as needed. The contact was able to drive to Gateway Automotive Experts, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, and the contact requested assistance in prorating the vehicle; however, the request was denied. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The contact stated that upon listing the vehicle for sale on Facebook Marketplace, the contact noticed that other Ford vehicles with the same transmission were listed with transmission failure. The contact stated that the mileage range of the Ford vehicles with defective transmissions was 75,000-125,000. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

Filed Dec 24, 2025 · Transmission · VA

Complete loss of power and the transmission just going out, there was no warning or indication that something was wrong with the transmission prior to it going out on the highway. Car has 120K miles on it. It was diagnosed as needing a new transmission, and cooler. The pump may have needed to be replaced as well. But the transmission was pushing fluid out into the engine. If the car was fixed, I would likely need a new engine as well. This was a platinum edition 2016 Ford Escape.

Filed Aug 26, 2025 · Transmission · GA

We were driving on the expressway in our 2016 Ford Escape in the far left lane (4 lanes) and when my husband pushed on the gas, it revved up. Then it seemed like we started to lose power. A red exclamation point error came up on the dashboard, but I couldn't tell what it said. My husband was somehow able to get us across the highway (in busy traffic) to the right lane, where we wer able to get off the exit and pull into a parking lot. If the car has lost full power on the interstate, there's no telling what would have happened. Our car was towed to the shop and they're saying the transmission needs replacing ($7200). There is a known recall for 2013-2019 Ford Escapes concerning the power train / transmission. Our VIN is not listed, but I find it highly suspect because we had no warning messages or symptoms before hand.

Filed Jan 20, 2025 · Steering · NY

Driving for about two weeks with a "sticky" steering wheel. Driving down the road one night, received Steering Fault, Service Now message. Power Steering was barely responsive. Parked car overnight, came out to car in morning, received Steering Loss, Stop Safely message. Power Steering was not functioning in the vehicle at all. Complete loss of power steering is a safety hazard while driving down the road. The problem was reproduced at the dealer and an independent shop. Recommendation to replace steering rack and outer tie rods.

Filed Oct 6, 2024 · Transmission · NY

Transmission suddenly loosing power without any signs on highway , car has only 93k miles , at highway speed I lost all power without warnings .

Filed Sep 9, 2024 · Engine · GA

Ive had my vehicle since February 27, 2024 and around May time the engine began to overheat. Itook it to Pepboys and they said it was possibly a head gasket issue, but didnt check the coolant levels. I tried to fill it up and it all dumped on the ground at my apartment. I filled it up again the next day and it held for about 2 months. 1 week ago, while driving to work I the engine had reduced power to precent overheating. Ever since sincr each time I go fill the overflow tank with coolant it dumps completely on the ground.

Filed Jul 22, 2024 · Steering · 74,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH pulling out of a parking lot, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stopped, turned off, and restarted the vehicle to attempt to reset the power steering functionality. The contact stated that the power steering functionality failed to return to normal functionality. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer. The dealer had not yet diagnosed the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

Filed Jun 30, 2024 · Engine · MO

I was driving down the highway doing 70 mph my car lost all power and a warning light came on said engine failure. This is dangerous. We could've gotten killed.

Filed Jun 26, 2024 · Transmission · PA

This car is an accident waiting to happen. 1st car kept on shuddering or pulling while driving over 40 miles per hour. Took it to Ray Price Ford in Stroudsburg PA 4 times they couldn’t diagnose or replicate what I was talking about. I had to pull over a few times because I thought a cable popped or I hit something. Took it back the 5th time 6/2020 92,000 miles just out of warranty they finally diagnosed it with a bad transmission. $6,000. I fought with them and was able to get them to split the cost because they weren’t able to diagnose it when it was under warranty. I thought I was past the nightmare called Ford Escape. However around 5/2024, 115,00 miles my daughter was driving the car on the highway. Cruising at 60mph, when she had to press the gas pedal to speed up to get to her exit. The car lost power, she floored it and it wouldn’t move. She pulled over and called us. She said the check engine light came on and the car had no pickup when she stepped on the gas pedal .I told her to drive it home with the hazards on. We took it to Ray Price and they said the turbocharger was on the way out and cleared the code. I called Ford customer service to complain again about the piece of garbage that they sold us and their answer was if the car is over 7 years old and 100,000 miles they can’t help. I think that’s total [XXX]!!! I have never had a car that the transmission went before 100,000 miles. Ford customer Service is a joke. There was just a huge recall on their F-150’s for transmission problems. They are making dangerous vehicles and they need to fix them. It’s not fair that you buy a vehicle for $30,000 or more and then you have to replace the transmission and turbocharger just over 100,000 miles. These vehicles should be recalled and fixed once and for all. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)