Is the 2021 Ford Escape a bad year?
355 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Escape years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2021 Ford Escape are in line with other Escape years. Body structure and fuel system stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2021 Escape owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 43,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 92 (26%) | 30k–60k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 75 (21%) | 36k–73k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Engine | 49 (14%) | 20k–95k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 46 (13%) | 20k–79k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 34 (10%) | 3k–67k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Visibility and wipers | 28 (8%) | 21k–60k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 49 (14%) | 3k–30k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Backup camera | 11 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 43,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 355 complaints: 9 mention a crash · 9 mention a fire · 5 report an injury · 13 say the car was towed.
120 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2021 Ford Escape: 19
The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly. Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The liftgate hinge covers may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle. A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in. An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
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. A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver.
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. An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure. 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.
The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. 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.
The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power. A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
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. An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
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. An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak. An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The high voltage battery may fail, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power. A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect braking performance. 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.
The high voltage battery may fail, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power. A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fuel delivery module may leak inside the fuel tank, causing low fuel pressure which could result in an engine stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 193
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2021 Ford Escape. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some vehicles may exhibit a shudder condition, most noticeable at speeds below 60 mph (100 km/h)…
Some 2020-2026 Escape and 2021-2026 Corsair vehicles equipped with a 2.5L engine may exhibit a fuel door that won't open with diagnostic trouble code…
Some vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
Some vehicles may require an A/C compressor clutch assembly replacement be performed for various concerns
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Failed Door Check Arm Attachment Point
Healey Brothers Ford / Open Recall Sale
Neighbouring years
2020 Escape: 1,621 complaints, keep it · 2022 Escape: 238 complaints, keep it.
Every Ford Escape year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Escape years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2021 Ford Escape a bad year?
355 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Escape years. At 43,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Escape?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (92), fuel system (75), engine (49), transmission and drivetrain (46), electrical system (34).
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Escape have?
19 recall campaigns list this model year: Backup camera (NHTSA 26V-123), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 26V-117), Body structure (NHTSA 25V-829), Equipment (NHTSA 25V-685) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.