2016 Ford Escape · symptom sheet
"Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on
- 65owner reports
- 89,000median miles
- $6,500median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 9, 2026 · checked Sep 29, 2026
770 of the 1,123 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 65 of those describe transmission warning light.
Tick what matches of 65 reports
Transmission warning light on other Escape years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
This sheet is for a "Service Transmission" message, a transmission fault warning or a wrench light. Owners say it often shows up with lost power, a stall or a car that won't accelerate, and sometimes clears on the next start.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (8 reports) and the clutch (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
All 4 recalls on the 2016 Ford Escape, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Escape
Underhood fires caused by fuel leak. Closed oct 30, 2025, led to recall 25V-467.
Healey brothers ford / open recall sale. Open.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 27, 2024.
Electronic throttle body malfunction. Closed feb 28, 2014.
Electronic throttle body malfunction. Closed feb 21, 2013.
Cruise control cable. Closed jul 17, 2012.
Stuck throttle. Closed feb 21, 2013, led to recall 12V-353.
Fleet vehicle recall completion audit. Closed dec 28, 2015.
Engine stalling. Closed aug 31, 2004.
Engine stalling. Closed apr 15, 2004, led to recall 04V-165.
Engine stalling. Closed sep 10, 2002.
Gasoline vapor intrusion. Closed dec 21, 2001, led to recall 00V-277.
None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.
What owners paid
11 of the 65 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $6,100 to $8,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 74,887 and 111,000 miles, from the 49 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“While driving the car shuddered and then shut off. The transmission light came on with a warning about 5 minutes after it shut off. So there was never a warning and we were unable to get it to go back into any gear.”
Filed Oct 24, 2023
“Transmission light coming on (service now). First started 7/29/2022 this was the first time a diagnostic was done 8/4/2022 by a certified transmission shop was advised this is a pre-warning of greater problem. Was told that this issue occurs in Ford Escapes, Fusion etc.”
Filed Aug 4, 2022
“The transmission begin to go out. It would not drive even though the car was running when we stopped at a stop light. Also an transmission fault error came on.”
Filed Jul 25, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 65 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 264 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 127 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 125 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 118 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 94 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 87 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 58 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 49 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 34 reports