Certain 2015 Model Year Edge, 2015-2016 Model Year F-150, MKT, and Police Interceptor Sedan, and 2016 Model Year Escape, Explorer, Flex, Fusion, MKX, Mustang, Police Interceptor Utility, Taurus, and Transit Vehicles - Electronic Throttle Body Repair
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Ford Escape cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Ford Escape have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 17,435 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Escape | 49 |
| 2013 Escape | 52 |
| 2014 Escape | 18 |
| 2015 Escape | 7 |
| 2016 Escape (this page) | 15 |
| 2017 Escape | 19 |
| 2018 Escape | 12 |
| 2019 Escape | 3 |
| 2020 Escape | 10 |
4crashes
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2016 Ford Escape report six distinct failure modes tied to engine control and transmission:
Throttle body failure appears most common. Owners describe sudden loss of power, sputtering, inability to accelerate past 30 mph, and rough idle—often with "SERVICE ENGINE" warnings. Diagnostic code P2111 appears in multiple complaints. Dealership repairs involved throttle body replacement.
Unexpected acceleration is the most dangerous complaint. Three owners report the vehicle accelerating suddenly while parking or at low speed, even with foot on the brake. Two incidents resulted in crashes into buildings and vehicles. Dealers could not reproduce the fault in some cases.
Complete engine stall without warning occurs at any speed. Owners lose power steering and control. One stall at highway speed caused a collision with an 18-wheeler.
Transmission failure appears alongside throttle issues. One owner reports rough reverse engagement progressing to complete transmission failure at 120,000 miles. Ford estimates repair at $6,000, with no recall available.
ABS and Hill Assist warning lights combined with a non-responsive engine shutoff occurred repeatedly in one case—the engine would not turn off when the ignition was switched off.
Coolant loss without visible leak, accompanied by antifreeze odor in exhaust and overheating warnings, was reported in one narrative.
Ford has issued no recalls for these issues.
Same Ford Escape cruise control reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Throttle body malfunction / reduced power / limp mode
The throttle body fails or sticks, causing sudden loss of engine power, inability to accelerate beyond 30 mph, or rough running. Owners report the vehicle entering a limp-home mode after warning lights appear.
When: 22,000 miles to 120,000 miles; occurs unpredictably while driving or parking
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden deceleration without warning; Unable to maintain speed or accelerate; Rough idle and sputtering; Engine warning messages (SERVICE ENGINE, ENGINE FAULT, SERVICE NOW); Loss of engine power on highway
Codes mentioned: P2111, P1450, P1450 PD
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body assembly replacement performed at dealership; owner reports accelerator pedal felt less twitchy after repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls mentioned; Ford states no diagnosis possible in some cases; dealership repair of throttle body assembly noted in narratives
Unexpected acceleration / stuck throttle
Vehicle suddenly accelerates without driver input while parking or at low speed. Owners report foot on brake but car accelerates rapidly, causing crashes. One owner suspects stuck-open throttle.
When: Occurs at very low speeds (2–25 mph) during parking maneuvers; also reported at highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden uncontrolled acceleration while braking; Vehicle accelerates past curbs and into buildings or other vehicles; Acceleration occurs without pressing the pedal; Occurs even when foot is on the brake
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles totaled or towed; dealers unable to reproduce or diagnose failure in some cases
Complete engine stall / loss of power
Engine stalls suddenly without warning while driving at low or highway speeds, leaving the vehicle without power steering or ability to control acceleration. Owners report the vehicle becomes unresponsive until restarted.
When: Can occur at any speed; repeated instances reported (3 times in 2 days in one case)
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of motive power without warning; Engine stalls mid-drive; Unable to shift into drive or reverse; Loss of power steering control; Engine stalls and will not restart immediately; Vehicle revs abnormally before stalling
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission failure suspected/confirmed at 120,000 miles in one case; vehicle towed in other cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford states transmission replacement needed; estimated cost $6,000; no recalls mentioned
ABS light, Hill Assist warning, and non-responsive engine shutoff
Multiple warning lights illuminate (ABS, Hill Assist) during normal braking. Engine becomes non-responsive to ignition shutoff and continues running for 20–30 minutes. Speedometer stops working.
When: Occurs after applying normal brake pressure; repeating issue (10 times in 2 weeks reported)
Symptoms owners cite: ABS indicator light comes on; Hill Assist warning appears; Additional warning lights on dashboard; Speedometer stops working; Engine will not turn off when ignition is turned off; Engine eventually shuts itself off after 20–30 minutes
Transmission failure / inability to shift / rough reverse engagement
Transmission fails or becomes unresponsive; vehicle cannot be shifted into drive or reverse. In some cases, reverse engagement is rough and jolting before eventual transmission failure.
When: Warning signs appear early (rough reverse), failure occurs at 120,000 miles or earlier
Symptoms owners cite: Rough kickback when shifting into reverse; Unable to shift into drive or reverse; Loss of motive power; Inability to accelerate even with pedal pressed; Transmission feels sluggish or unresponsive
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required; estimated $6,000; not repaired in some cases due to cost
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall; Ford requires out-of-warranty repair at owner expense
Coolant loss and engine overheating
Coolant depletes without visible leak; moisture smelling of antifreeze detected in exhaust; engine overheating warnings appear. Linked to rough starting and uncontrollable acceleration in one narrative.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant empty with no visible leak; Continued loss of coolant; Engine overheating warning lights and messages; Moisture smelling of antifreeze coming from exhaust; Rough starting; Uncontrollable acceleration
Codes mentioned: P0302
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
My 2016 Ford escape cannot accelerate even I pressed the pedal. It just has 74000 miles but showing transmission issues. It's so dangerous and threaten my life and others.
Had cruise control trouble with your 2016 Ford Escape?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2016 Ford Escape?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 11,000 and 22,000 miles, with the median around 17,435. A quarter of owners report trouble before 11,000; a quarter make it past 22,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Ford/Escape.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.