Complaint volume
304 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
304 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Ford Escape, grouped by component category.
304 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 34
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
304 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2024 | ENGINE | My 2021 Ford Escape SE is loosing coolant, but no leaks. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that condensation from the air conditioner unit had leaked into the vehicle causing the carpet to become wet, developing mold and mildew inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that the failure was due to a clogged air conditioning drainage hole. The air conditioner drainage hole was unclogged, and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure had recently reoccurred. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 30,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 30,000 |
| Jun 2024 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering and jerking abnormally. The contact also stated that the engine had overheated, and the vehicle could not be driven for more than an hour. The check engine and oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or local dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 35,000 |
| Jun 2024 | STRUCTURE | Door check bracket pulled off of door. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | STRUCTURE | Hinge on the front driver door the weld broke loose | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I HAVE TO KEEP PRESSING THE GAS HANDLE TO PUT GAS IN MY CAR BECAUSE THE [XXX] CARBON SENSOR [XXX] THINGY IS BROKE. also the door keeps clicking and TikTok says it’s going to fly off. Now that’s just dangerous. The clicky thingy is from something that is welded into the door keeps coming off of the car. Now that’s [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | STRUCTURE | The driver side door arm has broken without any reason. It now makes noise opening and closing and will need to be replaced | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES | Almost every single time I back up my brakes make an awful noise. I've had the brakes looked at and nothing is wrong with them, I have read numerous articles about other people having this same issue with their 2021 Ford Escapes. Others have brought this to Ford's attention, and they always get told "that's normal". I should not have to hear my brakes screaming for no reason at 7am when leaving work, it is embarrassing and honestly irritating speaking that I would expect my vehicle to have no issues when ford talks to highly about the "quality" of their vehicles. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I am unsure of the exact part but it is located in the driver side door. The car was stationary when the problem was noticed. My husband walked out to go to work and noticed that the door had started having issues. It makes a popping sound as the door opens and closes as well as the window no longer opens or closes. The door also doesn't open more than half way anymore, nor does it stay open. That has become a safety concern with our small children. The door is also starting to have issues closing all the way once it is attempted to shut the door. We tried contacting Ford and they know that there is an issue but told us that we have to deal with it or pay full price to fix the issue since there isn't an official recall on the part yet. They wouldn't even make an appointment to confirm which part was the issue. When we took it to Kia, which is the deal we bought the vehicle from, they see in their system that it is a part that has a recall and to take it to ford for a whole door replacement. Yet Ford refuses to help us until we have proof of letter that this part has caused an issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | STRUCTURE | The spot weld on my driver's side door looks like it broke where the hinge is attached to the door. It's going to totally break. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | STRUCTURE | Driver front and passenger front door hinge making noise when opening. Dealer said a lot of people are having same issue but ford is only fixing ones when door falls off when weld completely breaks. Reported this to dealer on11/11/23 and was finally notified to bring in last week. Was called yesterday and was told not fixing at this time as was not safety issue yet! They said if door falls off it would warrant repair. This vehicle is under new vehicle warranty still and should be fixed without question. Dealer agrees it needs fixed but says they cant do anything now. I consider a possible door falling off a safety issue! Hopefully my wife does not fall out of vehicle when door falls off and maybe she can put it in back and drive to dealer with no door. Way to go ford! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | STRUCTURE | The drivers door check arm welds are breaking, the plate is flexing inside the door. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | STRUCTURE | The door check system on the door assembly of my Ford Escape is attached to the body by three spot welds. These welds have come off and now it's not possible to lower the window. I was in a situation where I had to open the door to adjust my mirror on the road, this is very unsafe and can lead to accidents. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I noticed the door opening hard and making noise. Car parked at home, no accidents or dents. The Door Hinge weld has come disconnected. Tech confirmed on 4/10/2024. Car is still under factory warranty with 33,719 miles. Tech picked up car and brought back with no fix. Tech verified concern, returned vehicle with note Ford Advance Notice for the concern. And when consumer gets the recall notice they will contact me to fix it. In the meantime my warranty is nearly expired and they would not repair it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | STEERING,STRUCTURE,ENGINE | The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was veering to the right independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where both the rear shock absorbers and the front passenger's side tie rod were replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 60 MPH and at higher speeds, the front end of the vehicle was vibrating. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle while parked, she opened the hood and noticed that the engine was vibrating significantly while running. The contact stated that she also noticed a black stain on the engine. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer Casco Bay Ford1 (213 US-1, Yarmouth, ME 04096), and to a third dealer Rowe Ford Sales (91 Main St, Westbrook, ME 04092), where the contact was informed that the engine was operating as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 14,000 |
| Apr 2024 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the driver's side door was opened, there was a loud banging sound coming from the door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with fractured spot welds. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 45,000 |
| Mar 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,POWER TRAIN | Front windshield is prone to crack. I have had to replace 5 windshields since I first purchased the vehicle. It is a known documented issue. Assuming aerodynamics is the issue and can cause more than the reasonable amount of cracked windshields. Valve body and transmission went out at 100,243 miles. All requested/required regular maintenance was completed. | Crash: No Fire: No | 100,243 |
| Mar 2024 | STRUCTURE | The six Spot welds on the driver's door failed. The hinge bracket is adrift inside the car door. Al Packer Ford body shop advised this is a common flaw in the 2021 Ford Escapes. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | STRUCTURE | Door check bracket detaches from driver door when it is opened. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | STRUCTURE | Door hinge on driver side front came loose from weld and won’t let window roll down. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, he heard an abnormal clicking sound coming from the door. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the door check arm attachment point. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE23013 (Structure). The failure mileage was 61,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 61,000 |
| Feb 2024 | STRUCTURE | Driver door check arm bracket welds broke in door | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | STRUCTURE | The door stop arm welds broke on drivers side door. I cannot roll down window because of this failure on ford's part. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | STRUCTURE | 2-23-24 2021 Gold Ford Escape AKA Goldie Purchased on 9-8-23 Miles at purchase 52,771 Current miles 60,054 2-22-24 I took my daughter to school. When I opened the door I heard a popping noise. When I got home I open the door to get out and heard a really big POP. I went to close the door it would not close. I gently tried to close it again but stopped because I did not want to make matters worse. I called a tow truck. The driver mentioned the door check was broken. My service advisor called to let me know the spot wells and door check were broken. She said I would have to take to body shop. My escape is available for inspection. I took Goldie to body shop 2-23-24. Advisor took pictures and said he would have technician look at it then send me a quote. He mentioned I may need a new door. After getting home I did some research on my issue and found the same issues are currently ongoing and Ford has not announces any solution to the matter. After reading the same issues online I am afraid to drive it. Anything faulty with a door in unsafe for me, my family and anyone else. The dealership I purchased Goldie from is aware of the issue because I had it towed there. The body shop knows because I went there and he took pictures to get me an estimate. The popping noise is all I heard which began est. 2-20-24 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. That contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the front driver’s side door. Upon inspection of the door, the contact observed that the door hinge attachment point had detached. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where an inspection confirmed that the seem weld inside the door had fractured and the door needed to be replaced. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE23013 (Structure). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 38,584. | Crash: No Fire: No | 38,584 |