2021 Ford ESCAPE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2021 Ford ESCAPE has 426 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 5.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is body/structure problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: the contact owns a 2021 ford escape. the contact stated while driving 65 mph, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from underneath the hood. the contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. the contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the shutt. ⚠️ 14 fire reports filed.

14 fire reports 13 crash reports 7 injuries

426

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

5.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

BODY/STRUCTURE

91 complaints

21%

• The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the shutt
• since I have owned this SUV the break has been bad I have taken it in with no help from ford now the weld on my drive side door has broken away from the frame. ford has told me that there nothing they can do about it, and I have to pay for the repairs. i have had the car for 2 1/2 years and i have r
• At 38,000 miles I got into my car and it started making a popping noise on my drivers side door when opening it and closing it. After further inspection, I cannot put my window down and I am met with resistance whenever trying to open or close it. This poses safety concerns in the event of a car cra

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

“The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the shutt”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

65 complaints

15%

• Vehicle was being driven down the road. Vehicle stalled. Check engine light came on. Attempted to restart vehicle but vehicle stalled again. Smelled fuel. Heard a boom then fire ignited. Fire came from the underside of vehicle and flames were rising on driver side of vehicle with black smoke.
• 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 insu
• The car smells like gas on the inside. Ford says no codes so no issue. Started when 15000 miles on ur and ur still smells like gas with 21000 miles on it. Ford can’t seem to find the issue after being in shop 3 weeks.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 4 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“Vehicle was being driven down the road. Vehicle stalled. Check engine light came on. Attempted to restart vehicle but vehicle stalled again. Smelled fuel. Heard a boom then fire ignited. Fire came from the underside of vehicle and flames were rising on driver side of vehicle with black smoke. ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

56 complaints

13%

• 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 insu
• It was a four month old car. I was driving and the engine coolant light came on. I traveled an additional 1/4 of a mile and another driver pulled up next to me and said that my car was on fire. I pulled off to the side of the road, and within about a minute, the entire car was engulfed in flames. I
• Brakes failed and vehicle was totaled

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

“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 insu”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

48 complaints

11%

• The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse, an abnormally loud humming noise would emit from the vehicle upon depression of the brake pedal without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on numerous occasions and on the latest visi
• 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. Vehicle is available for inspection. Would like to have vehicle inspected! Not yet ins
• The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving in reverse, a loud grinding sound was present while depressing the brake pedal. The contact indicated that the failure mainly occurred after the vehicle was not used for an overnight period. The vehicle was taken to the local

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 6 crashes

“The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse, an abnormally loud humming noise would emit from the vehicle upon depression of the brake pedal without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on numerous occasions and on the latest visi”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

41 complaints

10%

• The contact’s daughter owned a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an unknown speed, the coolant warning light illuminated. As the contact's daughter began to pull over, she began to lose control of the vehicle as a black smoke started coming from the engine.
• 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 w
• 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 insu

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 5 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“The contact’s daughter owned a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an unknown speed, the coolant warning light illuminated. As the contact's daughter began to pull over, she began to lose control of the vehicle as a black smoke started coming from the engine. ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 426 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the shutt
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: Vehicle was being driven down the road. Vehicle stalled. Check engine light came on. Attempted to restart vehicle but vehicle stalled again. Smelled fuel. Heard a boom then fire ignited. Fire came from the underside of vehicle and flames were rising on driver side of vehicle with black smoke.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 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 insu
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse, an abnormally loud humming noise would emit from the vehicle upon depression of the brake pedal without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on numerous occasions and on the latest visi
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)