One of the better Escape years
Owners filed about 75% fewer complaints than a typical Escape year. The area owners reported most is the body, doors and structure, which half of owners reported by about 42,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Escape years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 355 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Escape. The most reported problem area is the body, doors and structure (92, 26% of complaints), followed by the fuel system and the brakes and stability control. That ranks 10th of 13 Escape years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 19 recalls.
3 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2021 Ford Escape before you buy.
Body, doors and structure
92 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (65), Body: door (16).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The sunroof cover has come off its tracks and has lost tension. It requires a full sunroof cover replacement. Upon searching this issue online, I found it was a common issue in Escapes around 2020-2022.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Nothing malfunctioned. All I was asking for was a fender to hood adjustment and the dealership kept telling me they don't do that and that I would need to go to a bodyshop. The fender to hood alignment issue didn't put others at risk. What the problem is is the door is not aligned based on OEM requirements and the recall repair was…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Fuel system
75 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 70,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
My vehicle has experienced repeated transmission failures requiring major repairs. During diagnosis, the dealership reported excessive transmission material and missing friction material inside the transmission for second time. This is now the second transmission repair on the vehicle. Before repair, the vehicle would unexpectedly lunge…Owner complaint, filed 2026
When I would turn on the vehicle, it would emit a strong smell of gasoline. The vehicle continued to have the same issues after prior service and complaint to the dealership about the continued smell of gasoline emitting from my 21-ford escape. A technician then verified the concern and found an exhaust leak present on the catalytic…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Brakes and stability control
50 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 5,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
When putting the car in reverse the brakes make an awful Screaming noise. It sounds like they are not releasing. Then when you go in drive and want to stop it doesn't want to. It is not all the time but more so then not.Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse and depressing the brake pedal and attempting to slow down, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear wheels. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with asbestos in the brake fuse. The…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Engine and cooling
49 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 59,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
Car is experiencing internal engine component deterioration under Recall 23S27. Auffenberg Ford in O'Fallon, IL cleared the critical P1061 safety code on October 6 using my code reader, saying they didn’t have time to hook it up to their system and sent me home with an appointment to bring it back in, without fixing the vehicle. Ford…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Engine will periodically and randomly stall and quit while driving. Mostly in city but it quit while driving on highway I-10 at 65 mph in one incident.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Transmission and drivetrain
46 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 81,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The transmission stopped working while driving in a thunderstorm in the middle of a busy intersection. These created a dangerous safety situation which was luckily avoided by the driver. We had the care inspected and the transmission removed, rebuilt and re-installed by Nightingale Transmissions LLC in [XXX]. There were no warnings or…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The transmission went out. Torque converter is shot. Only has 120,000 miles in it. This is a known problem with the 8f35 transmission. It needs to be recalled.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Electrical system
35 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape PHEV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V789 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Hello I am so sick of the recall on the high voltage battery. When I first got in in april of last year it had 126 miles on it and was told by [XXX] at the time and ford Auffenburg used cars that it had no recalls at all. Low and behold months later after charging the plug in portion found out there was a recall and I couldn't plug it in…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Lights, wipers and visibility
33 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the windshield wipers intermittently hesitated while moving from the left to the right. The dealer was contacted several times…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to roll up the rear driver's side window, the rear driver's side window failed to roll up as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was requested to pay for a diagnostic test. The contact declined to pay…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 67,000 miles
Driver assist systems
18 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 44,000 miles. Parts named most: Warnings (5).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the back over prevention camera image remained on the screen before the screen went black. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, he became aware that the Back Over Protection camera was inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to replicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 5,618 miles
Seats and seat belts
8 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
Seatbelts in the rear unbuckle themselves while driving. Children sit in the rear seats and the alert light doesn't always go off when not buckled.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The second row middle seat seatbelt was extended one time and did not retract back. It is in operable and a seat we barely used, there’s no reason it should’ve stopped working. No rough play, heavy use, or use outside of occasional passenger. There’s already a past recall for a different seatbelt so there must be an issue with this one…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Suspension
7 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
My vehicle only has 36,000 miles on it and I just had to spend $789 to have the rear shocks replaced!! I also purchased the extended warranty plan and this repair wasn't covered. Very disappointing especially with such low mileage.Owner complaint, filed 2025
BOUGHT CAR NEW. HAD BOTH REAR SHOCKS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 18478 MILES BECAUSE OF LEAKING. NEED TO REPLACE BOTH REAR SHOCKS AGAIN AT 50250 MILES BECAUSE OF LEAKING. Three sets of shocks in 50,000 miles of normal driving is not normal,Owner complaint, filed 2024
Cruise control and acceleration
5 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
When the brake is applied, the gas pedal accelerates. It has happened 2 times and I could have went through a stop sign or traffic light. The tool light came on but went off. This has happened a few times starting in April.Owner complaint, filed 2026
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…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Steering
4 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was veering to the right independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where both the rear shock absorbers and the front passenger's side tie rod were replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 60 MPH and at higher…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 14,000 miles
Air bags
2 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while in the reverse(R) position, the vehicle independently increased in speed without warning. The contact made multiple attempts to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal; however, the brakes failed to operate as needed. The contact crashed into a fire hydrant but the…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 3,000 miles
Wheels and tires
1 complaintTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
Felt sudden, hard bang under left foot while driving approx. 40 MPH. Car then lost control. Driver steered to right to get off road, hitting a curb in the process. Found broken left front axle when finally able to stop the car. There were NO obstacles or potholes to cause this accident (photos).Owner complaint, filed 2022
Ford Escape complaints by year
Compare the 2021 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2021 compact SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Ford Escape | One of the better years | 19 |
| 2021 Toyota RAV4 | About average | 1 |
| 2021 Honda CR-V | One of the better years | 4 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-5 | About average | 0 |
2021 Ford Escape recalls
Backup camera
- Risk
- An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Windows, mirrors and wipers Motor
- Risk
- Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the front wiper motors as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.
Body and structure Hinge and attachments
- Risk
- A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and reinstall, or replace any missing liftgate hinge covers as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2025 Escape vehicles. The liftgate hinge covers may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.
Equipment Engine block heater
- Risk
- An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Fuel system Fuel injection system
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the engine control software.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Backup camera
- Risk
- A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Engine
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2021-2023 Corsair, and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines that were repaired incorrectly under recall 23V380. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
Fuel system Fuel injection system
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 22V-859 or 24V-187. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Electrical system Management system / energy control module
- Risk
- Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Owners are advised not to charge battery till the remedy has been completed.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ford Escape, and 2021-2024 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
Equipment Labels
- Risk
- Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Transmission and drivetrain Control module
- Risk
- A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick, 2020-2022 Escape, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.
Engine
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2022-2023 Maverick, and 2021-2023 Corsair vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
Fuel system Fuel injection system
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the engine control software to include fuel injector leak detection and install a drain tube, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Engine and cooling
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair, and 2022 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
Engine and cooling Oil / lubrication
- Risk
- An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect the oil separator for damage or oil leaks, and replace the oil separator and seals, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak.
Electrical system Traction battery
- Risk
- A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the high voltage battery, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Corsair and 2021-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with a 2.5L Hybrid powertrain. The high voltage battery may fail, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.
Brakes Caliper
- Risk
- During certain situations, the driver may have to apply more brake pedal force, and the distance required to stop the vehicle may be extended, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the front brake pads, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco Sport and Escape vehicles. The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect braking performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Electrical system Traction battery
- Risk
- A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- A dealer will replace the high voltage battery, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling one 2021 Escape vehicle equipped with a 2.5L hybrid powertrain. The high voltage battery may fail, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.
Fuel system Control / drive module
- Risk
- An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles. The fuel delivery module may leak inside the fuel tank, causing low fuel pressure which could result in an engine stall.
2021 Ford Escape questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Escape?
The most reported problem areas on the 2021 Ford Escape are the body, doors and structure (92 complaints), the fuel system (75 complaints) and the brakes and stability control (50 complaints). Within the body, doors and structure, owners most often name the body and body: door.
Is the 2021 Ford Escape a good year to buy?
One of the better Escape years. Owners filed about 75% fewer complaints than a typical Escape year. The area owners reported most is the body, doors and structure, which half of owners reported by about 42,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Escape years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Escape have?
NHTSA lists 19 recalls for the 2021 Ford Escape. The most recent, from Mar 2026, covers the backup camera. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2021 Ford Escape problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the body, doors and structure gave a mileage of about 42,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the fuel system gave a mileage of about 70,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Ford Escape years should I avoid?
The Escape years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2013. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2012, 2019 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2021 Ford Escape?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model