Is the 2021 Ford Escape reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2021 Ford Escape is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Escape?

The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Escape have?

19 recalls on file for this model year.

2021 Ford Escape

▲ Better than typical

2021 Ford Escape
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 346
Recalls: 19
Investigations: 2
Top problem: Structure

Complaints per year

2021: 346 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2000	5
2001	996
2002	1,027
2003	558
2004	499
2005	1,394
2006	464
2007	254
2008	1,974
2009	1,692
2010	2,070
2011	1,316
2012	602
2013	2,748
2014	2,086
2015	1,083
2016	1,116
2017	2,688
2018	1,806
2019	590
2020	1,600
2021	346
2022	233
2023	99
2024	76
2025	25
2026	3

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Structure

27% · 92 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

FIRE

Service brakes

14% · 49 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Wife was driving vehicle. Came to intersection at end of our street. Applied brakes. Brakes did not work. Went through intersection crashed into tree. Injured, taken to hospital, vehicle towed, police report made.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-12-17

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-09

Also filed under Seat belts

Engine

13% · 44 reports

CRASHFIRE

Show complaint excerpts

I see no recalls for 2021 Ford Escape SEL AWD 2.0L. Vehicle was parked next to house under carport all day and owner smelled smoke. Looked out house window and seen front of vehicle on fire and catching house on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-10-22

Also filed under Electrical system

While accelerating at a stop light I heard a thud in the hood of my car and then it started to smoke so I pulled off the road and turned off vehicle but the car caught fire and the entire front end burned.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-10-17

The contactâs daughter owned a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an unknown speed, the coolant warning light illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-07-19

Power train

13% · 44 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and torque converter.

CRASHINJURY

Fuel system, gasoline

12% · 43 reports

FIREINJURY

Safety timeline

19 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

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2021-12-01Electrical system, hybrid propulsion system21V869000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling one 2021 Escape vehicle equipped with a 2.5L hybrid powertrain. The high voltage battery may fail, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.

Remedy: A dealer will replace the high voltage battery, free of charge. The owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S48.

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2021-12-14Fuel system, gasoline21V625000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles. The fuel delivery module may leak inside the fuel tank, causing low fuel pressure which could result in an engine stall.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. Interim notification letters (remedy not available) were mailed on September 30, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 14, 2021.

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2022-03-28Electrical system, hybrid propulsion system22V149000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Corsair and 2021-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with a 2.5L Hybrid powertrain. The high voltage battery may fail, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the high voltage battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S48.

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2022-04-18Engine and engine cooling22V191000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the oil separator for damage or oil leaks, and replace the oil separator and seals, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2022.

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2022-06-03Audit queryOpen Healey Brothers Ford / Open Recall Sale
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2022-08-17Service brakes, hydraulic21V922000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco Sport and Escape vehicles. The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect braking performance.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front brake pads, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C31.

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2022-08-19Engine and engine cooling, structure22V484000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair, and 2022 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke.

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2023-02-28Fuel system, gasoline22V859000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.

Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control software to include fuel injector leak detection and install a drain tube, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed January 9, 2023.

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2023-07-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2024-01-24 Failed Door Check Arm Attachment Point
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2024-05-03Engine23V380000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2022-2023 Maverick, and 2021-2023 Corsair vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will replace the engine long-block in 2023 Escape and Corsair vehicles.

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2024-05-22Power train24V330000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick, 2020-2022 Escape, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S33.

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2024-12-19Equipment24V852000 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.

Remedy: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.

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2025-04-22Fuel system, gasoline25V165000 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.

Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S21.

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2025-05-30Electrical system24V954000 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.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge battery till the remedy has been completed. Dealers will perform a battery energy control module (BECM) software update, and replace the high voltage battery pack, as necessary, free of charge.

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2025-06-27Engine25V345000 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.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge.

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2025-09-04Back over prevention25V442000 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,...

Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

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2026-06-03Structure25V829000 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.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall, or replace any missing liftgate hinge covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

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2026-06-23Back over prevention26V123000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C11.

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Date not on fileEquipment25V685000 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.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge.

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Date not on fileFuel system, gasoline25V467000 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.

Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control software. and replace the high pressure fuel rail assembly and the fuel injector ,free of charge. As an interim repair, dealers will update the engine control software, free of charge.

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Date not on fileVisibility26V117000 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.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front wiper motors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed April 2, 2026.

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Buy-smart checklist

2021 Ford Escape — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Structure: 92 reports on file for this year.
Service brakes: 49 reports on file for this year.
Engine: 44 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 25V685000 · Equipment
Recall 25V467000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Recall 26V117000 · Visibility
Recall 21V869000 · Electrical system, hybrid propulsion system
Recall 21V625000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Recall 22V149000 · Electrical system, hybrid propulsion system
Recall 22V191000 · Engine and engine cooling
Recall 21V922000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Recall 22V484000 · Engine and engine cooling, structure
Recall 22V859000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Recall 23V380000 · Engine
Recall 24V330000 · Power train
Recall 24V852000 · Equipment
Recall 25V165000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Recall 24V954000 · Electrical system
Recall 25V345000 · Engine
Recall 25V442000 · Back over prevention
Recall 25V829000 · Structure
Recall 26V123000 · Back over prevention

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2021 Ford Escape reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2021 Ford Escape is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Escape?: The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Escape have?: 19 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.