2016 Ford Escape transmission problems

in Problems
Photo of 2016 Ford Escape

The 2016 Ford Escape is the third generation of Ford’s best-selling small SUV. Ford sold a staggering 307,069 Escapes in 2016, making it one of the best selling vehicles of that year.

If you’re considering this popular SUV, you may be wondering what kind of problems were common to the Ford Escape in 2016.

FAQ: The most common problems with 2016 Ford Escapes

Here are the most common problems reported by 2016 Ford Escape owners as reported on forums like Reddit and Carcomplaints.com:

  • Transmission problems. While the 2016 Ford Escape has a reliable transmission, it is the most common complaint.
  • Engine problems. The 2016 Ford Escape engine is reliable, with infrequent coolant leaks and low-speed stalling.
  • Issues with the interior. The radio failing and headlining starting to droop are the most common interior problems with the 2016 Ford Escape.

Here’s all user-reported problems with the 2016 Ford Escape, sorted by category:

What are the most common problems with 2016 Ford Escape transmissions?

While the 2016 Ford Escape transmission is reliable when compared to other year models, it’s not without its problems. Here are the most commonly-reported problems by 2016 Ford Escape owners:

  • Shuddering into gear
  • Complete failure of transmission without warning
  • Rough shifting
  • Broken linkage cables

Cost to Fix a 2016 Ford Escape Transmission: $2000+

Average replacement costs for severe transmission issues on the 2016 Ford Escape ( Model # 6F50 / 6F35) range anywhere from $2280.00 all the way up to $3387.00.

The cost to repair your issue will vary depending on the severity, and the diagnosis of your trusted mechanic.


PICK THE RIGHT USED YEAR MODEL

When it comes to buying a used car, you want to find the perfect intersection of savings and reliability. See how much you can save buying nearly new vs. new with CoPilot Compare.


The 2016 Ford Escape transmission is reliable when compared to other year models of Escape.

To avoid Ford Escapes with bad transmissions, avoid 2006-2009 models, which have transmission issues 3-5x more than most other year models of Escape.

What are the most common engine problems with the 2016 Ford Escape?

The NHTSA has 48 specific complaints related to the engine of the 2016 Ford Escape. Among these complaints are issues with coolant leaking into the engine bay and causing fires and issues with overheating at mileages as low as 65,000.

Stalling at low speeds is also a common complaint, which has led to some owners nearly getting into accidents. This could be due to a sticking EGR valve or dirty throttle bodies.

Since the actual cause of engine issues could be a myriad of things, it’s hard to pin down an exact repair price. However, according to RepairPal.com the average repair cost for a Ford Escape is between $476 and $582.


KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS

Wondering what to look out for when buying a used car? With such a large purchase, it pays to be a cautious shopper. Check out this list of red flags to look out for when buying a used car.


How to avoid buying a Ford Escape with a bad transmission

It will pay dividends to thoroughly check out any used car you’re going to purchase. This ranges from a comprehensive test drive to actually having the vehicle checked out by a mechanic.

You also need to listen and feel for abnormal vibrations or noises coming from the driveline and engine of the vehicle. If your wheels make a creaking sound while turning – that could be a damaged cv joint.

If the engine is shuttering or is vibrating in an abnormal way, it could be anything from a misfiring cylinder or previous engine damage from overheating. If any of these things are present, it may be best to move on.

During the test drive it’s imperative to utilize every part of the vehicle that would be used on a daily basis. Turn on the radio, run the air conditioning, use your turn signals and your high beams.

Pay close attention as you use these seemingly simple parts of your car, because they could cost you hundreds if not thousands of dollars to fix down the line.

One of your best lines of defense is to get your local mechanic involved in the purchase process of a new vehicle.

Most dealerships, at least ones that are on the up and up, will allow you to take your vehicle to your trusted mechanic for a thorough inspection. This may expose other issues that you could miss during a test drive!

If you’re going to spend thousands of dollars on a car, a few hundred dollars on an inspection is absolutely worth the peace of mind.


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Search all used Ford Escapes in your area

The easiest way to search for reliable used Ford Escapes in your area is the CoPilot mobile app. We collect all of the listings from all of the dealerships in your area, and create curated shopping lists based on your preferences so you don’t have to look through hundreds of mediocre listings.

For the easiest way to compare different year models of Ford Escapes against one another, check out CoPilot Compare and see how much you can save by buying nearly-new instead of new.

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