NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The center display screen may flip or invert when you shift into reverse, causing the rearview camera image to display upside down or backwards.
This page covers 23 recalls, 430 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2021 Ford Escape.
26–40 mpg combined
5.9–9 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Structural complaints dominate the 2021 Ford Escape, and the most consistent pattern is the panoramic sunroof shade coming off its track or detaching from its clips. Owners report the shade rolling loose inside the cabin, leaving the sunroof permanently exposed and blocking or impairing rearward visibility until the vehicle is stopped. Dealers typically describe the fix as a full shade assembly replacement. Engine complaints are the second-most-reported category, with several owners describing hard-start conditions tied to a stuck-open canister purge valve. Service brake complaints round out the top three, though no single symptom dominates that group the way the sunroof shade issue does in the structural category.
430
Total Complaints
12
Crash-Related
10
Fire-Related
8
With Injuries
By System
The 2021 Ford Escape has 23 recalls, the most serious being multiple fire risks in the engine compartment: cracked fuel injectors that leak fuel, an oil separator housing that can leak onto hot surfaces, and hybrid engine failures that release oil and fuel vapor near ignition sources.
Several concerns are specific to hybrid and plug-in hybrid trims. The high-voltage battery can develop an internal short circuit, causing sudden loss of drive power or fire. A defective engine crankshaft on hybrid models can wear the connecting rod bearings until the engine fails, stalls, or catches fire. The hybrid powertrain control module software can shift the vehicle into neutral without warning, and the engine block heater can crack and short circuit when plugged in.
The fuel delivery module can leak inside the tank, causing low fuel pressure that may stall the engine or prevent it from starting. Rear brake linings on some vehicles may require more pedal force and extend stopping distances. On the visibility side, the rearview camera can display a blank or inverted image when reversing, and the windshield wiper motor can fail entirely. Liftgate hinge covers may detach and become a road hazard, and some vehicles are missing the required airbag warning label from the dashboard.
At a glance
What can fail
The center display screen may flip or invert when you shift into reverse, causing the rearview camera image to display upside down or backwards.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Ford will send you a letter with instructions for a software or hardware update to correct the display orientation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper motor may fail, causing the windshield wipers to stop working properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front wiper motors and replace them if needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The liftgate hinge covers may not be properly secured and can detach from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the hinge covers and reinstall or replace them as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A manufacturing flaw in high voltage battery cells may cause an internal short circuit, leading to battery failure in certain 2020-2024 Ford Escape and 2021-2024 Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid vehicles.
What the fix does
Ford will perform a repair to address the battery defect. Until repair is available, operate only in Auto EV mode and limit maximum battery charge as instructed by Ford.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine block heater can crack and leak coolant. When plugged in, the leaked coolant may cause an electrical short circuit.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the block heater at no cost, or install a blanking plug and remove the heater cord.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A fuel injector in the 1.5L engine may crack and leak fuel into the engine compartment.
What the fix does
Dealers will update engine control software and replace the fuel rail assembly and fuel injector.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image or fail to clear the image after backing up.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the rearview camera software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Incorrect prior repairs to 2.5L hybrid or plug-in hybrid engines may allow engine oil and fuel vapor to leak into the engine compartment, where they can accumulate near hot surfaces and ignition sources, risking engine compartment fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software at no cost to reprogram engine controls and prevent the failure.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel into the engine compartment on vehicles previously repaired under recalls 22V-859 or 24V-187.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software at no charge to prevent fuel injector cracking.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A manufacturing defect in one or more high voltage battery cells may cause an internal short circuit, leading to battery failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the battery energy control module software and replace the high voltage battery pack as needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag warning label on the dashboard may be missing, which means the vehicle doesn't have the required safety information label.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you the warning label at no cost. Letters were sent December 19, 2024. Call 1-866-436-7332 with questions.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module software may unexpectedly shift the vehicle into neutral, causing loss of driving power.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Engine oil and fuel vapor may leak into the engine compartment when the engine fails, accumulating near hot components and creating a fire risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the engine long-block in 2023 models or update powertrain software in others. Engine replacement occurs if connecting rod bearing failure is detected.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A fuel injector can crack and leak fuel into the engine compartment.
What the fix does
Engine control software will be updated to detect fuel injector leaks, and a drain tube will be installed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Engine failure can release oil and fuel vapor into the engine compartment, where they may accumulate near hot engine or exhaust components and ignite.
What the fix does
Dealers will modify the under-engine shield and active grille shutter to prevent oil and fuel vapor accumulation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine oil separator housing can crack, causing oil to leak from the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the oil separator for damage or leaks and replace it and seals if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high voltage battery may fail suddenly, causing the vehicle to lose drive power without warning.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the high voltage battery at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine crankshaft may have manufacturing defects. This can cause connecting rod bearings to wear, creating knocking noise. Continued driving risks engine failure, loss of power, and fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the crankshaft and replace the engine if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine crankshaft may have been manufactured incorrectly, potentially causing engine damage.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the crankshaft and replace the engine if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can reduce braking performance and fail to meet federal brake system safety standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front brake pads at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high voltage battery may fail suddenly, causing a complete loss of drive power in this 2021 Escape hybrid.
What the fix does
A dealer will replace the high voltage battery at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel delivery module inside the fuel tank may leak, causing low fuel pressure that can prevent the engine from starting or cause it to stall while driving.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you a notification. Take your vehicle to a dealer to have the fuel delivery module replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel delivery module inside the fuel tank may develop a leak, reducing fuel pressure and potentially causing the engine to stall while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel delivery module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
