2021 Ford ESCAPE HYBRID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
122 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
36,702 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 36 of 122 complaints (29.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 9.8% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 5.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 3.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 0.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 36 |
| Structure:Body | 26 |
| Electrical System | 18 |
| Unknown Or Other | 17 |
| Power Train | 13 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
Engine: 36; Structure:Body: 26; Electrical System: 18; Unknown Or Other: 17; Power Train: 13; Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Service Brakes: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 101 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2023 | 37 |
| 2024 | 39 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 9 |
2021: 3; 2022: 20; 2023: 37; 2024: 39; 2025: 14; 2026: 9
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11419434 · 2021-06-02 (June 2, 2021)
High Voltage battery warning occurs and gives possibility of shutting the car down
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11419434 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11477134 · 2022-08-02 (August 2, 2022)
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 the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V869000 (Electrical System, Hybrid Propulsion System). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the F…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11477134 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11453542 · 2022-02-22 (February 22, 2022)
The brakes are extremely loud when backing in the morning. I also notice what I would consider a longer breaking time thar I thought was related to the regenerative breaking system. I brought it in once to be looked at and Ford Tallahassee said its fine. It is not.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11453542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11458893 · 2022-03-29 (March 29, 2022)
While applying the brakes, it's as if the brakes let go for a split second and then kicks back in again. It's long enough to make your heart jump and think: What the heck? Then it's back to normal. I first noticed it about 3 months into our lease, and it happens about once or twice every week or so. We brought the car in for service yesterday, and they could not find a problem. No warning messages are displayed when this happens. Safety was not compromised, but it is worrisome to have even that brief failure.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11458893 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11455958 · 2022-03-09 (March 9, 2022)
The transmission issues has made me stuck at gas stations and other random places at night leaving me with no help
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11455958 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11577717 · 2024-03-16 (March 16, 2024)
My battery has died and needed replaced, there are transmission issues related to the recall and the power train failing.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11577717 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11473395 · 2022-07-11 (July 11, 2022)
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 engine compartment. As we were out in the middle of no where it took the local voulunteer fire depart 25 minutes to respond. In that time the car was a total loss. I did not hit anything in the road and I was drive around 60 mph at the time t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11473395 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11609772 · 2024-08-20 (August 20, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the message that the vehicle had lost power was displayed. The contact disconnected the Hybrid setting and indicated the loss of power with the Hybrid battery. The failure was self-corrected; however, the failure still occurred intermittently. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 21V869000 (Electrical System, Hybrid Propulsion System) and 22V149000 (Electrical System, Hybrid Propulsion System). The vehicle was taken to…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11609772 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11456489 · 2022-03-13 (March 13, 2022)
On Dec. 26, 2021, I was in a collision with another vehicle and the driver side airbag failed to activate. I suffered a fractured sternum as a result. The car was a total loss, sent to a yard and sold. I don’t know if it is available for inspection. The police report states the air bags were deployed, but only the bottom one was and not the top one. I have a photo of the steering wheel which says “airbag” and shows it did not activate. My insurance company is Allstate and deemed the car a total loss.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11456489 at NHTSA ↗