What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2021 Ford Escape

Typical pattern

3.8% of complaints about the 2021 Ford Escape came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2021 vehicle — around the middle of the 159 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is structure (93 complaints), typically at 3.3 yr or about 41,000 miles.

Complaints
472
Median age at failure
4.3 yr
Median mileage
39,000 n=98
Crash / fire / tow
7.8% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Structure
93 reports · 41,000 mi
3.3 yr
1.1%
Other
59 reports · 100,243 mi
4.1 yr
5.1%
Fuel system
44 reports · 70,000 mi
4.8 yr
4.5%
Engine
43 reports · 79,000 mi
4.8 yr
16.3%
Power train
43 reports · 79,845 mi
4.9 yr
7%
Service brakes
40 reports · 2,965 mi
1.5 yr
12.5%
Electrical system
34 reports · 39,000 mi
5.3 yr
14.7%
Fuel / propulsion
27 reports
5.1 yr
14.8%
Visibility
15 reports · 40,000 mi
5.5 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

26V117000 2026-03-03
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.

Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

26V123000 2026-03-03
Back over prevention:software

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

25V829000 2025-12-01
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2025 Escape vehicles. The liftgate hinge covers may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.

A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

25V685000 2025-10-10
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

25V467000 2025-07-11
Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

25V442000 2025-06-27
Back over prevention:software

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

25V345000 2025-05-23
Engine

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2021-2023 Corsair, and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines that were repaired incorrectly under recall 23V380. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.

An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

25V165000 2025-03-14
Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 22V-859 or 24V-187. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

24V954000 2024-12-20
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery:management system/energy control module (bms/becm)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ford Escape, and 2021-2024 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.

Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.

24V852000 2024-11-08
Equipment:other:labels

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

In owners’ own words

Engine 700 mi 1.0 yr in service
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle began vibrating and the contact heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to local dealer and was informed that there was no remedy for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 700.
Engine mileage not reported 1.3 yr in service crash / fire / tow
While driving on the interstate a fire started under the hood and shortly after smoke entered the driver cabin. Luckily I was able to pull over and get out of the vehicle before the fire reached the driver cabin. It is going to be investigated by a company hired by AAA, the appraiser from the insurance company was not able to find a cause due to the fire damage being too bad. The first warning message was engine coolant overtemperature and a couple of others followed.
Engine mileage not reported 2.5 yr in service
FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM SAFETY RECALL.
Power train mileage not reported 10 mo in service
The transmission automatically went into park in the middle of an intersection and was inoperable from that time and had to be towed from the intersection.

Other Escape model years

202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001

How to read this