The Ford Edge produces a very unique proposition for the people looking out for a crossover and balances the checks perfectly. The crossover has an “edge” over its rivals like the Hyundai Santa Fe, the Nissan Murano, the Honda CR-V, and the Chevrolet Equinox at an MSRP of $28,700. The perfect mix also raked in good sales figures for the previous model year with an annual number of more than 124,000 units. Though the numbers are good the qualitative aspect of the Edge might narrate a different story. With 365 complaints, four recalls, and one open investigation, the Edge has entered rough waters with its owners. The SUV is under investigation for a faulty airbag inflator that ruptured on impact. The SUV’s owners have complained about a plethora of different issues that they had to go through during their ownership tenure. The worst of the issues was the coolant/anti-freeze leaking into the engine block and causing engine failures. Apart from this, there are truckloads of complaints regarding the transfer case and the flexplate as well. Let’s see what some of the other common issues were.
2016 Ford Edge Problems
Electrical issues:
- Random horn engagements: The electrical issues in the crossover also include erroneous engagement of the Edge horn. People say that this happens without any input from the driver or any of the occupants. In some cases, the horn will engage when the crossover is empty and the key fob is nowhere near it.
- Faulty sunroof motor: Another common issue is the Edge sunroof motor malfunctioning while driving. This causes the sunroof to get stuck in its previous position and causes a lot of inconvenience to the occupants. In some cases the open sunroof stuck and let natural elements enter the cabin, causing a distraction for the driver.
- Rear reflector panel: The reflector panel around the Edge rear brake light accumulates water during rains. The rainwater enters because of insufficient weatherproofing and may cause an electrical short in the rear tail lamps. In some cases, the electrical short did happen and the whole light had to be replaced.
Mechanical issues:
- Coolant leakage into the engine: The most common and dangerous issue is the Edge coolant leaking into the engine block and causing engine failure. In many cases, the leaked coolant causes the engine misfires before stalling the engine. The issue is also seen in other Ford vehicles, like the Ford Escape, and is an expensive fix that can go up to $8,000! The manufacturer is aware of the issue and action is awaited.
- Transfer case damage: The Edge transfer case is reported to malfunction and sustain internal damage while driving. The issue is more prominent in high-mileage vehicles. The people complain that their Edge crossovers start vibrating violently and the gears get stuck in one place.
- Transmission flex plate damage: The transmission’s flex plate is reported to crack and cause a rattling noise while driving the crossover. This is a very common issue and is, in many cases, paired with the transfer case damage which rakes in a heavy repair bill. The flexplate malfunction is recurring, and people have reported getting it changed two or three times during their ownership.
- Brake failure: The Edge brake failure has racked in quite a lot of complaints and has left many owners upset. The brake doesn’t respond to the driver’s inputs and goes to the floor without any braking feel. Upon investigation, the most common issue was determined as the brake lines rupturing and leaking the brake fluid. The issue was communicated to Ford and the carmaker remedied the affected units under NHTSA Campaign Number 20V469000.
- Power steering failure: The Edge steering loses its power assistance and makes maneuvering very difficult. The problem has caused the crossover to collide with objects in its surroundings but did not cause any injuries. The main culprit was the gear motor which got detached due to faulty attachment bolts. A solution has been provided under NHTSA Campaign Number 19V632000.
Exterior issues:
- Exploding rear windshield: The Edge rear windshield is reported to shatter without any external impact. People report the glass shattering overnight, only to be greeted by a garage full of glass shards. The issue also happened while the car is moving and filled the interior with shattered glass. People exclaim the sound to be a “loud gunshot”. The dealerships say that the windshield has issues enduring stress and breaks when the stress increases.
- Swollen lug nuts: The Edge lug nuts swell with time and are very difficult to remove with tools. The issue is more prominent in highly driven vehicles. These lug nuts become loose and cause the wheel to vibrate, which shakes the whole crossover. The loose lug nuts can also cause the wheel to become detached and cause an accident.
2016 Ford Edge Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
October 12, 2015 |
16V733000 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control |
An incorrect Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software may cause the engine to lose torque control, increasing the chances of a crash. The affected units also fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS Numbers 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems" and number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems”. |
Ford will notify the owners and initiate the recall on November 22, 2016. The dealerships will replace the ABS module for free. Ford’s internal code for the issue is 16C14. |
|
2. |
February 27, 2017 |
17V123000 |
Airbags |
Improperly inflated driver's frontal airbag increases the risk of injury in a crash. The affected units also fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS Number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection”. |
Ford will notify the owners and initiate the recall on June 16, 2017. The dealerships will replace the driver’s frontal airbag module for free. Ford’s internal code for the issue is 17C02. |
|
3. |
August 29, 2019 |
19V632000 |
Steering |
Corrosion of the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts due to road salt or other contaminants may cause detachment of the motor, affecting the handling and increasing the risk of a crash. |
Ford will notify the owners and initiate the recall on October 18, 2019. The dealerships will replace the steering gear motor bolts and also apply a wax sealant to prevent further issues. In case of broken/missing bolts, the steering gear will be replaced. Ford’s internal code for the issue is 19S26. |
|
4. |
August 11, 2020 |
20V469000 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic |
Premature rupture of the front brake hoses may leak the brake fluid and lengthen braking distance, increasing the risk of a crash. |
Ford will notify the owners. Due to the unavailability of parts, an interim letter for the safety risk was mailed to the owners on September 21, 2020. Another letter will be mailed once the parts are in stock, expected around May 13, 2021. The dealerships will replace the front brake hoses with the new hoses made of new braid material. Ford’s internal code for the issue is 20S42. |
Should you buy the 2016 Ford Edge?
The 2016 Ford Edge is compelling on paper but the Blue Oval seems to have missed many points to make the ownership experience smooth. There are a plethora of issues reported to the carmaker and the fix for these issues are available. The engine coolant leaking in the engine block is a big (and expensive) problem. Adding to this are the transmission issues which deteriorate the experience further. The fact that the above issues are widespread does not help the case in any way. The recalls do help but are of little help. We’d recommend skipping the current model year and waiting for the fixes to be adopted off-the-factory-line. For the time being, look at other alternatives like the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Santa Fe that provide similar value.
