About average for the Edge
Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Edge year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 76,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Edge years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 927 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Edge. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (411, 44% of complaints), followed by the brakes and stability control and the steering. That ranks 4th of 13 Edge years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 7 recalls.
5 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2016 Ford Edge before you buy.
Engine and cooling
411 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 76,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
2016 Ford Edge 2.0L 4-Cylinder DOHC Turbocharged EcoBoost engine failed due to internal block coolant intrusion, rendering the vehicle completely inoperable at 102,000 miles.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Coolant Intrusion / In my Engine of 2.0L EcoBoost engines. I had coolant leaking into cylinders leading to overheating or total engine failure and had to replace engine with Ford not covering cost. Need a recall on these engines for 2016 Ford Edge. Still no recall from ford.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Brakes and stability control
164 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 66,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V544000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and the manufacturer…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the brake warning light illuminated while driving at an undisclosed speed. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number 25V544000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was on back order. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 160,000 miles
Steering
102 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 22,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The power steering suddenly stopped working while I was driving. The steering became extremely stiff and difficult to control. At one point, the power assist abruptly returned, causing the steering wheel to jerk, and I nearly hit a pedestrian. It was a frightening and extremely dangerous situation. Brought the car to my mechanic multiple…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at a slower speed, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that several messages were displayed. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 105,985 miles
Transmission and drivetrain
88 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 63,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
Coolant intrusion in the engine, problem confirmed by dealer, engine has been replaced, engine [VIN] in ford's cleveland plantOwner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with bearing failure. The contact was informed that the bearing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 104,000 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
53 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles. Parts named most: Sun / moon roof assembly (9), Glass, side / rear (5).
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
Saw there was a recall for wiper motor defects for Ford Explorer and Escape, per NHTSA Campaign Number 26V117. We had intermittent wiper failure with our 2016 Ford Edge Sport years back, which resulted in Ford repurchasing the vehicle back through the BBB (back in 2019). If carry-over parts / design are similar between the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The rear window spontaneously shattered/exploded. The rear defrosted was on as well as the rear wiper. It was 30 degrees outside.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Electrical system
38 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 36,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
I started my Edge as I always do and the display panel kept changing from audio, to settings and on and on. It went thru all the choices and it kept going for about 20 mins until I could safely pull over to find the problem. The radio continues to play thru .the clicking of it changing choices. When I pulled over I put the car in park…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the instrument cluster was black. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle several times to reset the instrument cluster. The contact stated that the image was low quality and made seeing the speedometer and other gauges difficult. The…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 11,000 miles
Body, doors and structure
34 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 39,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (26).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
- door hinge failure - hinge assembly intact but the weld area failed and tore the base from the door structure - door wont close or open properly - not as of yet no warning lamps just a non functional door. the failure is identical to the linked complaint [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that when the vehicle was purchased, the windshield was cracked. The contact bought the vehicle and, after a while, contacted…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 162,000 miles
Driver assist systems
33 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 76,000 miles. Parts named most: Rearview system braking (5).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while shifted to reverse(R), the back over prevention camera failed to provide an image and the screen was black. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention). The dealer was contacted and a mobile technician inspected the vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 130,000 miles
Ford dealership (Evansville Ford in Evansville, WI) came out to inspect my rear view camera for recall #25S89. After they did this the back up sensors that beep when someone is behind you when you are in reverse no longer work. It almost caused a crash.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Fuel system
25 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 18,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
We keep replacing the purge valve solenoid. There was a recall in 2021 but 2025 and now we have to change it within a week or two after putting the new one on. It has went dead going underneath a red light and just turning in the roadway. It is getting very dangerous.Help please!Owner complaint, filed 2026
Every time I fill my gas tank up the car acts like it will not turn over and gives me a battery error. I have a brand new battery in my car and key just replaced both December 2025. After turning the car off and waiting then hitting the start button the car will start up then shutter. After going down the road it's fine and doesn't have…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Wheels and tires
23 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
Two-piece Ford OEM lug nuts, used on numerous Ford models and years, are notorious for swelling, rendering them unremovable with a standard lug nut wrench. Although the issue is well-known by people in the auto and auto parts industries, it is not generally known by the average Ford owner. This places the driver of such a vehicle at risk…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a front wheel alignment was performed, and the front driver’s side lug nuts were replaced. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, the front driver’s side wheel detached from…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 145,000 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
20 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 11,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH and approaching a stop light, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 30,000 miles
The adaptive cruise control will slam on the brakes when passing a large truck in an adjacent lane at highway speeds. It seems to be most prevalent when it is clear and sunny. The vehicle thinks there is an obstacle in our lane. The symptoms are the same as those outlined in a recall issued for the 2015-2016 ford f-150 trucks.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 21,500 miles
Air bags
15 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 55,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle ahead abruptly stopped, and the contact was unable to slow the vehicle in time. As a result, the contact's vehicle rear-ended the vehicle ahead. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the air bag in the steering wheel would suddenly detach causing the air bag to fall from the housing. The contact had to manually install the air bag into the housing. The contact stated that the failure recurred while turning the steering wheel. The dealer had not been…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 84,000 miles
Seats and seat belts
9 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
This is the second time the driver seatbelt has locked itself and won't extend. The fix is to remove the seatbelt and send it in for repair. This seems serious as it forces me to drive without a seatbelt.Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the seat belt behind the driver's side in the second row failed to retract and became inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that in 2020 the passenger’s side second row seat belt had failed to retract. The vehicle was repaired; however, most…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Suspension
7 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 76,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
My RDU (rear diffrencial unit) went out at 122k miles directly after replacing the fluid at the shop. This repair was extreamly exprensive totalling out at 5k. With still owing 11k on my loan. I feel this is a ford defect that needs to be remediated.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced severe shaking and vibration. The contact indicated that all four tires were replaced on several occasions, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 88,000 miles
Ford Edge complaints by year
Compare the 2016 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2016 midsize SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Ford Edge | About average | 7 |
| 2016 Toyota Highlander | One of the better years | 3 |
| 2016 Honda Pilot | Among the worst years | 8 |
| 2016 Ford Explorer | Among the worst years | 15 |
2016 Ford Edge recalls
Backup camera
- Risk
- A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Brakes
- Risk
- A brake fluid leak can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the brake jounce hoses and adjust brake jounce hoses with no damage present, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The rear brake jounce hose may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Transmission and drivetrain Gear position indicator
- Risk
- A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Brakes
- Risk
- A ruptured front brake hose will cause a brake fluid leak, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake hoses with the new hoses that have a revised braid material, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.
Steering Electric power assist system
- Risk
- If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts and apply a wax sealer.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
Air bags Inflator module
- Risk
- During deployment, if the air bag does not fully inflate or the cushion detaches, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles and 2017 Lincoln Continental vehicles. In the event of a crash, the driver's frontal air bag may not fully inflate or the air bag cushion may detach from the air bag module. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Brakes Antilock / traction control / electronic limited slip
- Risk
- If the operator is not warned of an ABS or ESC malfunction and the ESC loses engine torque control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS module, and update the service software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Ford Edge vehicles manufactured February 9, 2015, to August 12, 2016. During dealer servicing, the affected vehicles may be have been updated with incorrect Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software. This software can cause the ESC system to lose engine torque control, and not provide any warning lamps to warn the driver if there was an ABS or ESC system malfunction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems" and number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
2016 Ford Edge questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Edge?
The most reported problem areas on the 2016 Ford Edge are the engine and cooling (411 complaints), the brakes and stability control (164 complaints) and the steering (102 complaints).
Is the 2016 Ford Edge a good year to buy?
About average for the Edge. Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Edge year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 76,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Edge years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Edge have?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2016 Ford Edge. The most recent, from Sep 2025, covers the backup camera. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Edge problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 76,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the brakes and stability control gave a mileage of about 66,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Ford Edge years should I avoid?
The Edge years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2013. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2014, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2016 Ford Edge?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
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