2021 Ford ESCAPE HYBRID

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Ford ESCAPE HYBRID has 141 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.8x the segment average of 80. 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 . ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 1 crash report 1 injury

141

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

34 complaints

24%

• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“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

BODY/STRUCTURE

31 complaints

22%

• 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
• The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, a loud noise came from the hood with the hood vibrating. The contact stated he had opened and closed the hood several times however, the vibration and the loud noise continued. The contact stated that
• Driver side door - black door support assembly which opens and closes door - welds broke.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

20 complaints

14%

• High Voltage battery warning occurs and gives possibility of shutting the car down
• The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while attempting to enter the vehicle there was unknown noise coming from the engine. The vehicle was unable to start and was only accessible using the key fob. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to start the vehicle
• The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that on several occasions, the electrical system had malfunctioned causing the vehicle to inadvertently shut off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the 12-volt battery was faulty. The contact was informed that

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“High Voltage battery warning occurs and gives possibility of shutting the car down”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

16 complaints

11%

• 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
• Stopped at a red light on 3 lane highway, in middle lane. When light turned green, I tried to accelerate as usual, but the car (hybrid) would not go. Message on dashboard was "STOP SAFELY NOW". Car was coasting about 5 MPH. I was able to get barely off the road. I could turn the car on/off b
• My vehicle 2021 Ford Escape caught fire

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

11 complaints

• High Voltage battery warning occurs and gives possibility of shutting the car down
• The transmission issues has made me stuck at gas stations and other random places at night leaving me with no help
• 2021 Ford Escape Titanium Hybrid with over 11,000 Miles. Received following Text Message from Ford: Service Engine Soon - The Powertrain Control System has Detected a Fault with the High Voltage Battery Coolant Pump. The Check Engine Light on the Instrument Cluster Illuminated. Could see or fee

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“High Voltage battery warning occurs and gives possibility of shutting the car down”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

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
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)