2021 Ford ESCAPE PHEV
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2021 Ford ESCAPE PHEV has 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: the contact owns a 2021 ford escape. the contact stated while driving approximately 5 mph and coming to a complete stop, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. the failure recurred several times. the battery warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. the vehicle was not taken to be d.
28
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.3x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
ELECTRICAL
8 complaints- • The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH and coming to a complete stop, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The failure recurred several times. The battery warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to be d
- • Stalls in traffic while in EV mode (Electric Vehicle mode). It has failed 3 times while driving in the last 10 days. This is unsafe because there is no chance to pull out of traffic.
- • The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V380000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact st
“The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH and coming to a complete stop, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The failure recurred several times. The battery warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to be d”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ENGINE
8 complaints- • The car shakes while the car is in idle. The car displays an illuminated crossed out child car seat and the word “on”. These two alerts do not turn off. Even though there is no one seated in a back and two adults are seated in the front seats. It also leaks fluid. I have an appointment w
- • The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V380000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufactu
- • Ford issued a recall #23V380. I received a notification letter from Ford back in June 2023. To this date, Ford has not offered a resolution to this problem. I do not feel safe having a vehicle that can catch fire either driving, or in my driveway/garage. Ford needs to step up and either refund
“The car shakes while the car is in idle. The car displays an illuminated crossed out child car seat and the word “on”. These two alerts do not turn off. Even though there is no one seated in a back and two adults are seated in the front seats. It also leaks fluid. I have an appointment w”
— NHTSA complaint filing
BODY/STRUCTURE
2 complaints- • 2021 Ford Escape PHEV Power Liftgate. First three weeks (320 miles) of ownership the power liftgate opened or closed spontaneously 5-6. On each occasion the engine/electric was off, the car was in park and the parking brake on. While still in the cabin the liftgate opened spontaneously opened. On t
- • I was issued a letter back in June 2023 on this recall. Parts were supposed to be available by October 2023. It is now almost March of 2024 with no remedy
“2021 Ford Escape PHEV Power Liftgate. First three weeks (320 miles) of ownership the power liftgate opened or closed spontaneously 5-6. On each occasion the engine/electric was off, the car was in park and the parking brake on. While still in the cabin the liftgate opened spontaneously opened. On t”
— NHTSA complaint filing
SPEED CONTROL
2 complaints- • Our 2021 Ford Escape has "Intelligent" adaptive cruise control. It has the capacity to adjust our car speed based on the highway speed limit signs it encounters. It reads all speed correctly but it also reads "black and white, square, numeric, County Road signs as Speed Signs. This is dangerous as m
- • Our 2021 Ford Escape has "Intelligent" adaptive cruise control. It has the capacity to adjust our car speed based on the highway speed limit signs it encounters. It reads all speed correctly but it also reads "black and white, square, numeric, County Road signs as Speed Signs. This is dangerous as m
“Our 2021 Ford Escape has "Intelligent" adaptive cruise control. It has the capacity to adjust our car speed based on the highway speed limit signs it encounters. It reads all speed correctly but it also reads "black and white, square, numeric, County Road signs as Speed Signs. This is dangerous as m”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
1 complaints- • The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH and coming to a complete stop, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The failure recurred several times. The battery warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to be d
“The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH and coming to a complete stop, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The failure recurred several times. The battery warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to be d”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 28 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH and coming to a complete stop, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The failure recurred several times. The battery warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to be d
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: The car shakes while the car is in idle. The car displays an illuminated crossed out child car seat and the word “on”. These two alerts do not turn off. Even though there is no one seated in a back and two adults are seated in the front seats. It also leaks fluid. I have an appointment w
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BODY/STRUCTURE: 2021 Ford Escape PHEV Power Liftgate. First three weeks (320 miles) of ownership the power liftgate opened or closed spontaneously 5-6. On each occasion the engine/electric was off, the car was in park and the parking brake on. While still in the cabin the liftgate opened spontaneously opened. On t
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SPEED CONTROL: Our 2021 Ford Escape has "Intelligent" adaptive cruise control. It has the capacity to adjust our car speed based on the highway speed limit signs it encounters. It reads all speed correctly but it also reads "black and white, square, numeric, County Road signs as Speed Signs. This is dangerous as m
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Ford ESCAPE PHEV — Year Comparison
How does 2021 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 28
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 1
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2021 Ford ESCAPE PHEV