2021 Ford ESCAPE PHEV: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
32,200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 22 complaints (36.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 36.4% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 18.2% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 13.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Hybrid Propulsion System | 1 |
Electrical System: 8; Engine: 8; Power Train: 3; Service Brakes: 2; Air Bags: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Hybrid Propulsion System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 17 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 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2021: 1; 2022: 3; 2023: 4; 2024: 7; 2025: 5; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 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 11422033 · 2021-06-23 (June 23, 2021)
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 three occasions the liftgate closed spontaneously. My foot was not near the foot-activated mechanism. On the last occasion, I was unloading 50# bags from the cargo area and the gate came down, no injury. On one occasion the liftgate opened and hit the…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11422033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11459025 · 2022-03-30 (March 30, 2022)
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 diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V149000 (Electrical System, Hybrid Propulsion System) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure milea…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11459025 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11472259 · 2022-07-04 (July 4, 2022)
While driving PHEV with a nearly full charge and a full tank of gas in EV mode, when I came to a stop at stop signs and traffic lights, the car would buck once like a horse, like an engine misfiring, and would indicate drivetrain issue and oput itsself in accessory mode, and flash battery indicator light. I was unabble to shift or restart driving until about 3 minutes later and after multiple times turning the car off and back on. It kept asking if the car was currently being charged, it was not as I was about 10 minutes and 5 miles into my 75 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11472259 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11487308 · 2022-09-30 (September 30, 2022)
Brakes are squealing very badly when in reverse, (going down a hill or when have not been used in a few days or after a rain storm). Windshield sub-stained a splintered crack after only 2 months, quality of windshield seems weak.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11487308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11518536 · 2023-04-23 (April 23, 2023)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11518536 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11525162 · 2023-06-03 (June 3, 2023)
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 with a ford dealer this Tuesday and I already contacted the ford corporate office. #CA********
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11525162 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11543368 · 2023-09-08 (September 8, 2023)
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 manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11543368 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11560037 · 2023-12-14 (December 14, 2023)
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 customers their money, or replace the engines in these cars ASAP. Ford has a bad product here and this is unacceptable on their behalf.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11560037 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.
25V789000 · Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery
Reported: 2025-11-14 (November 14, 2025)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ford Escape and 2021-2024 Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
Consequence: Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will update the battery energy control module (BECM) and hybrid powertrain control module (HPCM), free of charge. Owners are advised to only use "Auto EV" mode and will be instructed by mail to limit the maximum charge of the battery until the remedy has been completed. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC4. Vehicles in this recall were previously recalled under 24V954 and will need to have the new remedy performed. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 18, 2025.
NHTSA campaign record ↗