Owners of the 2021 Ford Escape are reporting two critical fire-related defects: fuel injector cracks (NHTSA Recall 25V467, issued July 2025) and engine overheating (Recall 22S73, issued January 2023). Multiple owners describe under-hood fires preceded by coolant warning lights or sudden acceleration loss. As of March 2026, owners state fuel injector repair parts remain unavailable despite notification they were in stock—nearly eight months post-recall with no remedy available.
Coolant system failures stand out as a recurring thread: one vehicle caught fire with black smoke while the owner was driving; another lost all coolant without visible leaks at 19,500 miles; others experienced coolant explosions mid-drive. Engine overheating happens without prior temperature gauge warning in several cases.
Beyond fire risk, owners report engine hesitation and surging on acceleration, shuddering and abnormal noises at highway speeds, idle drop and RPM loss, and stalling at gas pumps tied to the evaporative system. One owner was told by a dealer there is "no remedy" for the vibration failure. Dealerships cite parts shortages and system unavailability, and in one case refused responsibility for missing exhaust bracket installation.
One fuel injector recall complaint filed nearly a year after recall issuance emphasizes the family safety risk from delayed repair parts availability.
Failure modes owners describe
Engine Overheating / Coolant System Failure
Coolant warning light illumination, loss of coolant with no visible leaks, engine overheating without prior warning gauge indication, and in one case coolant explosion while driving. One vehicle caught fire after overheating.
When: Mileage 35,000 to 39,700; one incident at unknown mileage on highway
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant warning light illumination; Engine overheating; Loss of coolant with no visible leaks; Sudden coolant explosion; Black smoke from engine; Engine stall after overheating warning; Vehicle fire initiated from engine bay
Codes mentioned: P3402
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had oil pan replaced; overheating conditions themselves not repaired in most cases. One vehicle destroyed by fire.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 22S73 (NHTSA 22V859) issued January 2023 but corrective action delayed into Fall/Winter 2023. Owners report remedy unavailable or unknown.
Fuel System Defect / Fuel Injector Crack
Under-hood fire risk from cracked fuel injectors. NHTSA Recall 25V467 (Manufacturer Recall 25S76) issued July 2025, but repair parts remain unavailable months later despite owner notification of stock availability.
When: Defect noticed post-July 2025 recall issuance; one complaint at nearly 1 year post-recall issuance
Symptoms owners cite: Poor fuel economy (23–29 MPG); Engine stalling after refueling at gas pump; Prominent smell of gasoline; Risk of under-hood fire; Sudden engine fire with audible 'thud' before smoke
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel injector replacement required per recall; parts unavailable at dealerships as of March 2026, nearly 8 months post-recall issuance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 25V467 / Manufacturer Recall 25S76 issued July 2025. Ford Customer Satisfaction Program referenced but dealers unable to locate recall in their systems. No buyback offered despite fire risk and warranty breach claims.
Engine Hesitation / Surge on Acceleration
Vehicle hesitates when accelerating from a complete stop, then lurches forward suddenly. Associated with poor fuel economy anomaly.
When: Noted on 2021 model with under 25,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation during acceleration from stop; Sudden lurch forward after hesitation; Tire squeal during surge; Poor fuel economy (23–29 MPG on same vehicle)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner indicated this is part of Ford Customer Satisfaction Program but issue remains unresolved.
Engine Shuddering / Vibration and Abnormal Noise
Vehicle shudders, jerks abnormally, and produces abnormal noises during highway driving. Unresolved by dealer diagnosis.
When: Mileage approximately 700 to 35,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal shuddering and jerking; Abnormal engine noise; Vibration while driving at highway speed (65 MPH)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer informed owner 'there was no remedy for the failure.' Vehicle pending repairs but not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in at least one case; no remedy provided.
Evaporative System Fault / Purge Valve
Engine stalls immediately after refueling due to evaporative system malfunction, creating potential fire hazard from gasoline smell and stall condition.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stall immediately after filling fuel tank; Prominent smell of gasoline in cabin and around vehicle; Safety concern for fire hazard
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Defect cited as 'fuel injector recall' but specific repair status unclear.
Oil Pan Leak / Stripped Oil Pan
Oil pan stripped or damaged, causing oil leak. Check engine light (P3402 Cylinder 1 Deactivation/Intake Valve fault) appeared concurrently.
When: Mileage not specified; issue emerged after traffic slowdown on highway
Symptoms owners cite: Maintenance warning light illumination; Speed limitation (unable to exceed 50 MPH); Check engine light (P3402)
Codes mentioned: P3402
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pan replacement required and completed at Pep Boys. Owner also advised to consult Ford dealer for P3402 code.
Idle Drop / RPM Loss
Engine idle deteriorates and RPM drops, initially in park and progressively while driving with foot on brake. Coincides with open fuel injector recall.
When: Gradual onset; complaint filed within fuel injector recall window (post-July 2025)
Symptoms owners cite: Gradual idle drop while in park; Idle drop expanding to drive mode with foot on brake; Reduced RPM stability
Repairs/costs cited: No repair options available due to open recall with no parts/remedy.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Fuel injector recall 07/2025 (likely 25V467) open with no repair remedy available nearly 1 year later.
Exhaust System Installation Defect
Support bracket omitted during catalytic converter replacement at dealer service, allowing exhaust to separate and leak fumes into cabin. Not technically an engine failure but engine-bay exhaust component.
When: Defect discovered 1 month post-service (September 5, 2024)
Symptoms owners cite: Loud exhaust noise; Exhaust fumes leaking into cabin; Missing support bracket discovered upon inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter and support bracket replacement. Missing bracket was work-order omission by Lithia Ford Fresno.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer (Lithia Ford Fresno) refused to take responsibility for installation oversight.
Reverse Gear Engagement Issue
Difficulty shifting into reverse gear with accompanying studdering during engagement.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Hard-to-engage reverse gear; Studdering during reverse gear engagement
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.