2021 Ford ESCAPE HYBRID
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2021 Ford ESCAPE HYBRID has 141 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.9x the segment average of 73. The most common issue is engine problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: the electric motor cooling pump failed and shut down the engine without warning. it occurred the first time on route 1 at night and about two weeks later it occurred three consecutive times as i was driving on a local street. i was able to restart the car but was told by the dealership to have it . There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.
141
Total Complaints
1
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.9x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
34 complaints- • The Electric Motor Cooling Pump failed and shut down the engine without warning. It occurred the first time on Route 1 at night and about two weeks later it occurred three consecutive times as I was driving on a local street. I was able to restart the car but was told by the dealership to have it
- • I was driving down the road and the car stated to stall. I noticed white smoke in my review mirror. I started to pull over and I got a warning message that said I had zero oil pressure and the engine shut down. I costed off the road into a pull off. When we got out of the car there was a fire in
- • The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact noticed that a loose wire hanging from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the mechanic informed him that the heat exchange wire was designed longer than needed which resulted in the defect. The dealer cautioned him
“The Electric Motor Cooling Pump failed and shut down the engine without warning. It occurred the first time on Route 1 at night and about two weeks later it occurred three consecutive times as I was driving on a local street. I was able to restart the car but was told by the dealership to have it ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2021 Ford ESCAPE HYBRID
Based on 24 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 36K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
ELECTRICAL
BODY/STRUCTURE
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (1)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Escape Hybrid vehicles. The engine crankshaft may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
Risk: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the crankshaft and replace the engine, as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed March 2, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S10.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Ford ESCAPE HYBRID
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Ford ESCAPE HYBRID Service Intervals
IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2021 ESCAPE HYBRID, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 141 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: The Electric Motor Cooling Pump failed and shut down the engine without warning. It occurred the first time on Route 1 at night and about two weeks later it occurred three consecutive times as I was driving on a local street. I was able to restart the car but was told by the dealership to have it
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BODY/STRUCTURE: The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed a floorboard failure. The contact continued to drive the vehicle and the failure persis
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: High Voltage battery warning occurs and gives possibility of shutting the car down
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: Stopped in the middle of three lanes at a red light, when light turned green car, which is a hybrid did not power back up. I could not accelerate. Message on dashboard was STOP NOW with red triangle symbol. I was on a State highway in heavy traffic. 55 mph speed limit. Going about 8 mph with fla
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Ford ESCAPE HYBRID — Year Comparison
How does 2021 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 141
- Recalls
- 1
- Fire reports
- 3
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 1
- Segment avg
- 73
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2021 Ford ESCAPE HYBRID