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ProblemsByVin File / 2021-FORD-ESCAPE
2021 · ford

ford Escape problems

1 safety recall. 287 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

body
78 reports · avg $1,500
moderate
brakes
36 reports · avg $450
severe
fuel system
34 reports · avg $1,200
severe
powertrain
24 reports · avg $2,500
severe
engine
22 reports · avg $3,100
severe
electrical
16 reports · avg $850
severe
visibility
8 reports · avg $350
moderate
suspension
6 reports · avg $900
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2021 Escape · brakes
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while reversing, there was a loud screeching sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who performed an unstated service on the vehicle, but the failure persisted. No further…
12/30/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11633170.0
2021 Escape · brakes
The contact leased a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while reversing and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes emitted an abnormal squealing sound. The contact stated that the failure mainly occurred while reversing. Additionally, a message indicating that the Forward…
12/30/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11499495.0
2021 Escape · fuel system
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond while in reverse(R). In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was…
12/29/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11707609.0
2021 Escape · body
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front driver's and passenger's side doors failed to close properly. The contact had to forcefully close the doors. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the front driver's and…
12/29/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11562555.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 21V869000 10/11/2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling one 2021 Escape vehicle equipped with a 2

A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: A dealer will replace the high voltage battery, free of charge. The owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S48.

Common questions

Is the 2021 Ford Escape reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 287 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Ford Escape is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2021 Ford Escape?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is body, with 78 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The body is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Ford Escape has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Ford Escape?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 287 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 19 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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