Service bulletin TSB 16-0161

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

The communication, as NHTSA indexes it (as of 2026-10-19)
Type	Service bulletin
NHTSA id	10094578
Published by NHTSA	2017-03-10
Manufacturer's number	TSB 16-0161
Manufacturer's date	2016-12-09
NHTSA component	ENGINE

NHTSA's summary

SOME 2015-2016 ESCAPE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.6L GASOLINE TURBOCHARGED DIRECT INJECTION (GTDI) ENGINES BUILT ON OR BEFORE 9/30/15 MAY EXHIBIT RUNS ROUGH, LACK OF POWER, SURGE, BUCK/JERK, MISS, LOSS OF RPM, HESITATION AND/OR AN ILLUMINATED MIL WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0236 STORED IN THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE(PCM) MEMORY. THESE CONDITIONS MAY BE CAUSED BY A WIRING CONCERN IN THE REFERENCE VOLTAGE CIRCUIT (VREF) SPLICE. FOLLOW THE SERVICE PROCEDURE STEPS TO CORRECT THE CONDITION.

The document

No address for NHTSA's copy can be built for this communication. Ask the dealer for it by the manufacturer's number.

Components

Engine

Trouble codes named

P0236

Vehicles listed
FORD ESCAPE	2015, 2016

Listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned: the document says which.

Recalls for the same vehicles and component
2015298	2015-07-02. Engine

A recall listed here may apply to some of the same vehicles. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
SSM 52335	2024-03-20. Service bulletin. For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford has evaluated turbochargers replaced for oil leak symptoms and although oil may collect on the external surface of a turbocharger, it is extremely rare for a turbocharger assembly to be the root cause of the oil leak. Careful inspection of the turbocharger oil feed and drain tubes should be performed along with the recommended WSM procedures as needed. Warranty claims for turbocharger replacement going forward will be assessed.
TSB160045	2021-12-20. Service bulletin. 2.0L Ecoboost - Fuel odor
TSB160001	2021-12-20. Service bulletin. 49 CFR Part 579.5 Monthly Communications - March 2016 Air bag warning light illuminated with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) B141B and/or B141C
LTR3756	2021-12-20. Service bulletin. 49 CFR Part 579.5 Monthly Communications - January 2016
SSM 49821	2021-06-01. Service bulletin. Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to small debris causing the VCT solenoid to stick. Before attempting any component diagnosis or replacement of the VCT solenoid, refer to Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) pinpoint test HK11 to cycle the affected VCT solenoid 10 times to attempt to clear the debris. For claiming, use causal part 6M280 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
SSM 49210	2020-10-06. Service bulletin. Some 2009-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbochargers may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket. Although oil may collect on the turbocharger, it is very rare for a turbocharger to leak oil. To isolate the source of the leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 General Information > Diagnosis and Testing > Engine > Engine Oil Leaks - Fluorescent Oil Additive Method procedure. When an oil leak is present at a turbocharger oil supply or drain tube, remove the affected oil tube and inspect for damage, and replace the O-ring seals, pedestal gasket or oil tube as required. Refer to WSM, Section 303-04. For claiming, use the affected oil tube or pedestal gasket as the causal part and applicable labor operations in Sections 6 and 9 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
TSB 19-2287	2019-10-04. Service bulletin. Some 2013-2016 Escape vehicles equipped with a 1.6L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a lack of cooling caused by the A/C inlet line breaking at the compressor. This may be due to the oil cooler coolant lines exerting excess pressure on the A/C inlet line. When replacing the A/C inlet line, a support clip for the oil cooler coolant line should be installed to prevent contacting the A/C inlet line. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the A/C inlet line and adjust the gap between the A/C inlet line and the CAC hose.
TSB 19-2172	2019-07-03. Service bulletin. Some 2015-2018 Edge and 2015-2019 Fusion/MKZ/Escape/MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and/or a runs rough condition with or without an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL). Diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) may include P0300, P0301-P0304, P0316, P0217, P1285 and/or P1299 stored in powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to coolant intrusion into the cylinder. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the long block engine assembly.
SSM 47948	2019-05-07. Service bulletin. SSM 47948 - 2010-2019 Various Vehicles - Turbocharged Engines - Oil Supply Filter Replacement When Replacing The Turbocharger Or The Turbocharger Oil Supply Tube For 2010-2019 vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines, when diagnosing and/or replacing turbo related concerns, all steps within the Workshop Manual (WSM) procedure must be followed including replacement of all mandatory discarded parts. When specified in the WSM, the turbocharger oil supply filter must be replaced whenever the turbocharger or the turbocharger oil supply tube are replaced. Turbocharger bearing failure may occur if oil starvation occurs due to a restricted filter.
SSM 47710	2019-03-04. Service bulletin. Some 2014-2015 Escape, 2015 C-Max and Focus vehicles equipped with integrated remote start may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0116 in the powertrain control module (PCM) immediately following a remote start event. Vehicles may also display a warning message stating Engine Coolant Over Temperature. This condition may occur when remote start is used and the vehicle is allowed to time out (engine shuts off). Reprogram the body control module (BCM) using the latest software version of the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool. For claiming, use causal part 12A648 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.