2021 Ford ESCAPE HYBRID: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 11443503 · 2021-12-12 (December 12, 2021)
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 flashers on I eventually got to right side of road. Car was then locked into park. , would start but immediately received same message. Vehicle has 130 miles on it. Was towed to dealer.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11443503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11443591 · 2021-12-13 (December 13, 2021)
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 but could not get out of park and continued to receive this message. This vehicle is new, purchased less than a month ago now has 140 miles. Had to be towed to dealership. SInce this occurred I have found a recall on a few other Escape Hybrids …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11443591 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11445900 · 2022-01-03 (January 3, 2022)
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 towed to them, where it remains now while waiting for the part to arrive (which is on national back order). My safety and the safety of others was put at risk when I lost all power and only through sheer luck was I able to pull over safely. This pr…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11445900 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 11455580 · 2022-03-07 (March 7, 2022)
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 persisted. The vehicle was taken to numerous dealers where the failure was unable to be detected. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11455580 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 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 ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
22V109000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
Reported: 2022-02-24 (February 24, 2022)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Escape Hybrid vehicles. The engine crankshaft may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
Consequence: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the crankshaft and replace the engine, as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed March 2, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S10.
NHTSA campaign record ↗