Complaint volume
302 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2021 Ford Escape Complaints
302 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Ford Escape, grouped by component category.
302 Total complaints
9 Crash reports
8 Fire reports
5 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are structure, unknown or other, fuel system, gasoline. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 9 crash reports, 8 fire reports, 5 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 69 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 38,675 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to structure, unknown or other, fuel system, gasoline?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2021 Ford Escape?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2021 Ford Escape
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2021 Ford Escape complaints?
9 Crash
8 Fire
5 Injury
0 Fatality
12 Towed
2 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Ford Escape complaint categories?
STRUCTURE 73
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 33
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 25
SERVICE BRAKES 23
POWER TRAIN 17
ENGINE 13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 7
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6
302 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape PHEV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V789 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | POWER TRAIN | What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - Transmission. Codes pulled read P0751 and P0752. "Shift Solenoid 1 stuck open/closed". Yes, it is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - I was driving in active traffic through a roundabout when the vehicle suddenly jolted, the seized. At the time, my two young children were in the vehicle. I narrowly avoided a collision due to another vehicle swerving around my vehicle. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - Yes. I took the vehicle to Mark Grainger's Quality Service Center, Rincon Transmission, and the J.C. Lewis Ford dealership, which all reproduced and confirmed the issue with coresponding error codes P0751 and P0752. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - Yes. Mark Grainger's Quality Service Center told us the transmission work required was beyond their scope. They sent us to Rincon Transmission. Rincon Transmission told us they'd never serviced that engine before and said they'd prefer the work to be done by a Ford dealership. J.C. Lewis Ford told us a new transmission was required, but wouldn't produce results of any testing to verify that verdict. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No. Not at the time of this incident. A CEL previously indicated a fault O2 sensor, which was then serviced by the J.C. Lewis Ford dealership. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | POWER TRAIN | My daughter owns a 2021 Ford Escape FWD equipped with the 1.5L turbocharged EcoBoost inline-3 engine, VIN [XXX] , with approximately 95,000 miles. The vehicle has been serviced almost exclusively by Ford dealerships and maintained in accordance with manufacturer recommendations. The vehicle recently began exhibiting significant drivability and transmission-related problems, including shuddering while driving, hard shifting, RPM surging/revving, hesitation during acceleration, and erratic transmission behavior. The vehicle has hesitated in traffic, creating a significant safety concern. No warning lights or diagnostic alerts were displayed prior to diagnosis. On May 26, 2026, the vehicle was taken to [XXX] Ford, [XXX] , for a routine oil change and completion of open recall repairs. At that time, the transmission-related symptoms were reported to the Ford service department. The dealership performed a road test with a data logger and diagnosed the issue as: “Torque converter slipping causing shudder / bump while driving.” The dealership recommended the following repairs: Replacement of the torque converter Transmission line flush Replacement of transmission fluid Retesting after repair The quoted repair estimate was approximately $4,500. The Ford service advisor stated that the repair did not necessarily have to be completed immediately, but also warned that the condition could worsen and leave the driver stranded. This presents a serious safety concern. A vehicle experiencing transmission shuddering, torque converter slippage, hesitation, hard shifting, and erratic RPM behavior can experience loss of propulsion, delayed or inadequate acceleration, unpredictable drivetrain response in traffic, inability to safely merge or clear intersections, and stranding in unsafe conditions. Given that the vehicle has been routinely maintained, no warning lights were provided to alert the driver, and similar complaints INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VISIBILITY,BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V117000(VISIBILITY); 25V467000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); 26V123000(BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure 39,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | POWER TRAIN | THIS FORD 2021 ESCAPE HAS A SERIOUS TRANSMISSION SHUDDER. IT RELIABLY WILL DO IT AT APPROX 13-15 MPH. APPROX 27-30 MPH. ABOUT 33-35 MPH. THE RATTLE, SHUDDERING ACTS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO DO SOMETHING DANGEROUS. WITHOUT ANY HESITATION, THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHAKE, SHUDDER, VIBRATE. IF YOU KEEP SPEED STEADY, FOR INSTANCE 17 MPH, IT IS SCARY, AND WILL KEEP SHAKING AS LONG AS CAR IS AT A PARTICULAR SPEED. THE FORD DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED SAYS NO RECALLS, ALTHOUGH THEY ADMIT VIBRATION ISSUES IN THESE MODELS. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | STRUCTURE | Nothing malfunctioned. All I was asking for was a fender to hood adjustment and the dealership kept telling me they don't do that and that I would need to go to a bodyshop. The fender to hood alignment issue didn't put others at risk. What the problem is is the door is not aligned based on OEM requirements and the recall repair was completed but not done correctly. The problem has been identified by the dealer. The vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer. No warning lights or anything. Simply dealership refusing to get my door realigned. After taking it to body shop 3 times and still this problem has not been fixed. This is unacceptable especially since it was a recall through the manufacturer. Also when I asked dealership for proof in writing that they don't do their own bodywork the service advisor told me no. That is also unacceptable. I should be given my proper recall documentation whenever I ask for it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER | Windows and engines | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Hello I am so sick of the recall on the high voltage battery. When I first got in in april of last year it had 126 miles on it and was told by [XXX] at the time and ford Auffenburg used cars that it had no recalls at all. Low and behold months later after charging the plug in portion found out there was a recall and I couldn't plug it in which was the reason I bought it. So I had no choice mostly it was sitting until I had to travel for funeral services not local to me. Then there was a fix for the recall only to find out its a software patch they don't replace the battery knowing there is a defect in the high voltage battery confirmed. So now the same issue just new number there is a second recall on it again and not to plug it in. Since then it has 138800 on it now. because I have to get some where but I stay local. At this point I just want a buy back I am tired of dealing with it and now there are two more recalls concerning a wiper motor and something to do with sync screen update. I can't afford to have them contstantly diagnose this issue. I am tired of trying to deal with auffenburg in general on these issues I had to get them to program the computer just to do emmisions in illinois. All I want it a buy back so I can pick something else. The first recall was 24S79 Now its 25SC4/25V789 This car has been nothing but recall on the high voltage battery. It's a bad safety issue and really want to get rid of it. Thee have been a few times taking it down the street I lost power in hybrid normal running mode. It's just scary I had no control in the wheel INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Sunroof shade came off track while driving and I had to hold it the whole way home so I could see out the back window to safely drive. Upon research I found this is a common defect on the escapes and ford has done nothing to prevent this. Repairs cost thousands of dollars and this is not ok. This needs to be a recall to be fixed for all escapes affected. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The panoramic sunroof shade disconnected from the clips that holds it in place to allow it to be opened and closed. It is now rolled up in the car so the sunroof is always exposed and cannot be reconnected without a full replacement according to the dealership. It can impact visibility in bright sunlight. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V789000 (Electrical System) and 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention) and 26V117000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that the remedy parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | Canister purge valve getting stuck open and causing a hard start | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway, the vehicle suddenly shut off and failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the fuel injector had failed. The vehicle was repaired. After having the vehicle repaired, the contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), 25V829000 (Structure), 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention), and 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the parts for the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that when idle and attempting to acclerate the vehicle would jerk forward. The vehicle would jolt forward and shake when transitioning from 2nd to 3rd gear at various speeds. Whistle noises were coming from near the liftgate. The contact was experiencing hard shifting. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the remedy to be available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to change the transmission fluid, but they were told that the transmission was damaged and needed to be rebuilt. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,845. | Crash: No Fire: No | 79,845 |
| May 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I am filing this safety complaint on behalf of myself and my wife, [XXX] , the primary driver of our 2021 Ford Escape PHEV, with active under Recall 25SC4 (no remedy available). The vehicle has experienced 8+ sudden complete shutdowns during normal driving since February 2026, always during EV-to-hybrid mode transition, always without prior warning. The only warning is a brief sound like air escaping immediately before shutdown. At shutdown: engine cuts completely, steering wheel locks rigid and cannot be turned, brake pedal locks hard and cannot be depressed, gear selector locks in Drive and cannot be changed. The driver has zero ability to steer, brake, or move the vehicle. Must activate hazards and wait 1-5 minutes for restart while immobilized in an active traffic lane. Incidents occurred: (1) February 2026: multiple times, dealer retained vehicle 5 days, found nothing. (2) Early April 2026: multiple times, including one witnessed by a police officer who directed traffic around immobilized vehicle. Dealer kept 3 days, blamed the original Ford-supplied charger. Replacement did not fix defect. (3) May 1, 2026: 4 times in one day with my wife only in the car, including on the Dolphin [XXX] near Miami Int [XXX] 3:30PM Friday rush hour, with our [XXX] child in the vehicle on thr [XXX] r occasions. Ford's own recall documentation states steering and braking remain functional during shutdown. This is directly contradicted by our firsthand experience. Both are completely inoperable. Dealer on second attempt blamed original Ford-supplied charger — replacement did not resolve defect. This vehicle is subject to active class action [XXX] et al. v. Ford Motor Company (Case XXX). Formal warranty demand letter sent to Ford Motor Company via certified mail under Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act simultaneously with this complaint. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING | Vehicle headlights constantly dimming in and out, replaced alternator and battery, problem still persisted if not worse than before. Vehicle constantly struggles to accelerate once at running temperature, high revs and doesn't accelerate at all, vehicle experienced complete power loss after approaching red light, vehicle restarted but showed severe signs of power deficiency | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V789000 (Electrical System), 25V829000 (Structure), 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention) and 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VISIBILITY,BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention), and 26V117000 (Visibility); however, parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 40,000 |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | MY VEHICLE HAS HAD A FUEL INJECTOR RECALL SINCE 07/2025. MY CAR HAS GRADUALLY STARTED TO IDLE AND DROP RPMS. IT STARTS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY IN PARK AND NOW IT IS HAPPENING WHEN I AM IN DRIVE AND FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO BECAUSE OF THE OPEN RECALL WITH NO REPAIR OPTIONS IN SIGHT ALMOST A YEAR LATER. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine coolant overheated warning light illuminated. The vehicle stalled after the warning light illuminated and became inoperable. The dealer was notified of the failure; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,700. | Crash: No Fire: No | 39,700 |
| Apr 2026 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | This has been an ongoing recall for three years. They fixed my car the first time according to them and now it’s still an issue they are saying they can’t fix. I’ve went through two evap solenoids and my car still is having issues with the fuel vapor intake. I’m to the point I don’t ride in it or drive it with my children bc I’m scared it’s going to catch fire especially being in south florida. I’m very upset with ford! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VISIBILITY,BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention), and 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | Everytime I drive the car and I don’t get no warming and I bring the car to the dealer and tell them what going on and dealer do and don’t tell me what going on.. i should be able to get another car free because they want me to keep pay thing out my pocket which I don’t have Also want to let you know that [XXX] and I will like to explain more on phone [XXX] Also the ford dealership want me to trade in my car for 2,000 which my car is value7,000 because what three thing broken and they want 5600 it not right because I just have Tht car right after my mother pass away and it only 2 years now INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | VISIBILITY,BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention) and 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera image was blurry while in reverse(R). Additionally, the contact stated that the windshield wipers failed to operate while driving 35 MPH in the rain. The driver’s view was obstructed due to the failure, which almost caused a crash with another vehicle during the failure. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, and the contact was informed that a diagnostic test was needed to determine the cause of the failure. The contact paid for a diagnostic test and the repair of the windshield wipers. The vehicle was repaired; however, the windshield wipers operated at a slower speed while on the highest setting. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 121,000 |
| Apr 2026 | VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention), 26V117000 (Visibility), and 25V829000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact had not experienced a failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | STRUCTURE | The front driver door check arm attachment point is compromised. My service representative has over a dozen of these problems. This means there are many more of these issues than you indicate in your NHSTA action number PE23013, July 7, 2023-January 24, 2024 report. My window might or might not go down or up. This is a problem with my allergies and my daughter's asthma when triggers are present outside. My door might or might not shut. Also a problem. I might get stranded someplace. I travel frequently. My car door issue was identified August 2025. I am still waiting for a new door. The contractors recently delivered passenger doors which do not fix the problem. Please investigate this issue further. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |