2021 Ford ESCAPE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
338 owner complaints analyzed
19 distinct recall campaigns
39,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 73 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 65 of 338 complaints (19.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 54 | 16.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 32 | 9.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 14 | 4.1% |
| Engine operation | 13 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 9 | 2.7% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 2.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 65 |
| Unknown Or Other | 59 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 44 |
| Engine | 41 |
| Service Brakes | 40 |
| Power Train | 38 |
| Electrical System | 30 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 26 |
Structure:Body: 65; Unknown Or Other: 59; Fuel System, Gasoline: 44; Engine: 41; Service Brakes: 40; Power Train: 38; Electrical System: 30; Fuel/Propulsion System: 26
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 29 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 21 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 29; 25,000 to 49,999: 21; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (29). 265 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 | 8 |
| 2022 | 34 |
| 2023 | 79 |
| 2024 | 56 |
| 2025 | 70 |
| 2026 | 91 |
2021: 8; 2022: 34; 2023: 79; 2024: 56; 2025: 70; 2026: 91
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 54 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 32 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 14 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 11439473 · 2021-11-05 (November 5, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, her foot would repeatedly slip off the accelerator pedal and go underneath the brake pedal. The contact stated that this could lead to a potential failure while driving at high speeds. The contact also noted that the accelerator pedal was too small for normal operation. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where they acknowledged a potential failure with the small accelerator pedal and the contact was referred to the manufacturer for assista…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11439473 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11442905 · 2021-12-06 (December 6, 2021)
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 visit, she had the brake pads replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11442905 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11425732 · 2021-07-20 (July 20, 2021)
The transmission automatically went into park in the middle of an intersection and was inoperable from that time and had to be towed from the intersection.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11425732 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11486402 · 2022-09-26 (September 26, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard squeaking and grinding sound coming from the brake pedal. The contact also stated that she smelled a burning odor throughout the vehicle and the vehicle hesitated and was pulling to the right. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer where she received a manufacturer recall regarding the transmission fluid overflow. The vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed the transmission was two and a hal…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11486402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11472992 · 2022-07-08 (July 8, 2022)
I just had it in the shop. The car acts like there is going to be a collision when nothing is in front of it. Also try’s to pull me off the road. Been computer and electrical issues since I bought the vehicle.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11472992 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11610817 · 2024-08-26 (August 26, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon having the A/C unit serviced, the service technician shocked and burned himself on the wiring harness. The contact was informed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the issue. The contact was informed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11610817 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11426742 · 2021-07-27 (July 27, 2021)
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. Attempted to exit vehicle from driver side door but was unable to do so due to flames. Crawled over to passenger side of vehicle and exited the vehicle. Fire department extinguished the fire with water. Fire reignited and fire department extingui…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11426742 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11463719 · 2022-05-07 (May 7, 2022)
In September 2021 the car had 2 incidents of not being able to stop with the brakes while backing down my drive. The auto stop shut down was on. In the first instant I almost hit a senior with a walker. He fell but only scraped his hand and was not hit by the car. The second time, May 2022, the car crashed into the neighbor's front porch and took down a fence, I got out of the car and then fell in the street and broke my pelvis. The third time I was going down the steep drive and was able to steer the car until it stopped. The 4th time< May 6…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11463719 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11500718 · 2023-01-08 (January 8, 2023)
2 current recall problems with vehicle. Brake recall has been an issue since November 2021. The brakes were supposedly fixed. Then there came a horrific squealing noise when vehicle in reverse. And driving. Also when braking when vehicle in motion. Horrible grinding sound. Contacted dealer. Said back order on parts to fix squealing. Apparent issues with bushing. Per the dealership. Has been going on for months. Still have no been contacted for repair. There is no solution regarding the November 2022 recall about the fuel injector. There is curr…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11500718 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11527147 · 2023-06-15 (June 15, 2023)
2021 escape purchased on 10/12/21. By the end of October my vehicle began stalling while driving. The transmission was unable to change gears when the vehicle was accelerating or decelerating. While making a right turn my vehicle almost stalled out in front of the oncoming traffic but at the last minute the car accelerated. Next the vehicle started jerking when placed in reverse. When put in reverse a loud grinding sound and jolting / jumping would occur. The jolt and noise sounded and felt like someone had rear ended the vehicle the moment i…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,965 miles reported. Look up ODI 11527147 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11454276 · 2022-02-26 (February 26, 2022)
We bought a new 2021 Ford Escape and within 2 weeks I noticed the steering would occasionally lock up for a few seconds when making a turn. It got worse over the week and at one turn I had to force the wheel back by using both hands on one side of the wheel causing a grinding sound. I would have driven up onto the sidewalk if I couldn't get it to come back. Brought it to the dealer's service center and was told by the service manager "this is a known issue (something in the steering column disintegrating) and they had fixed this same issue plen…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11454276 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11477062 · 2022-08-01 (August 1, 2022)
Speed is telling me the limit is 80 when there is no speed limit like that in the area and the speed limit actually is 45. Steering wheel keeps telling me to put my hands on the wheel when both hands are on the wheel.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11477062 at NHTSA ↗