Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 21 of 122 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
122 reports
Mileage unknown · May 6, 2022
Service Brakes
My 21 Escape Hybrid started making sounds like rear brakes hanging up when put in reverse. I initially thought it just might be moisture but the noise is consistent. I took it to a Ford dealer and the service manager said that they have had a similar problem with another escape hybrid. Today i had to replace a rear tire due t…
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My 21 Escape Hybrid started making sounds like rear brakes hanging up when put in reverse. I initially thought it just might be moisture but the noise is consistent. I took it to a Ford dealer and the service manager said that they have had a similar problem with another escape hybrid. Today i had to replace a rear tire due to picking up a nail near the outer edge. The vehicle has about 3,500 miles on it. My mechanic remarked at how scored the rear brake drums were. The fronts were both shiney and smooth. Both rears were pitted and did look like they should after so few miles.
NHTSA ODI #11463672
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2022
Unknown Or OtherFire
My vehicle 2021 Ford Escape caught fire
NHTSA ODI #11460598
Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2022
Service Brakes
While applying the brakes, it's as if the brakes let go for a split second and then kicks back in again. It's long enough to make your heart jump and think: What the heck? Then it's back to normal. I first noticed it about 3 months into our lease, and it happens about once or twice every week or so. We brought the car in fo…
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While applying the brakes, it's as if the brakes let go for a split second and then kicks back in again. It's long enough to make your heart jump and think: What the heck? Then it's back to normal. I first noticed it about 3 months into our lease, and it happens about once or twice every week or so. We brought the car in for service yesterday, and they could not find a problem. No warning messages are displayed when this happens. Safety was not compromised, but it is worrisome to have even that brief failure.
NHTSA ODI #11458893
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2022
Vehicle Speed Control
When driving with the automatic cruise control engaged it sometimes reads country road signs as speed limit signs. When I turn onto Dakota County road 85,as an example, it reads it as 85mph and accelerates to 85mph. I have to cancel the cruise to stop it. The speed limit that is shown on the instrument panel also changes to 85mp…
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When driving with the automatic cruise control engaged it sometimes reads country road signs as speed limit signs. When I turn onto Dakota County road 85,as an example, it reads it as 85mph and accelerates to 85mph. I have to cancel the cruise to stop it. The speed limit that is shown on the instrument panel also changes to 85mph. The actual speed limit is 55mph. This has happened several times and on other roads.
NHTSA ODI #11456805
Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2022
Air BagsCrashInjury
On Dec. 26, 2021, I was in a collision with another vehicle and the driver side airbag failed to activate. I suffered a fractured sternum as a result. The car was a total loss, sent to a yard and sold. I don’t know if it is available for inspection. The police report states the air bags were deployed, but only the bottom one was…
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On Dec. 26, 2021, I was in a collision with another vehicle and the driver side airbag failed to activate. I suffered a fractured sternum as a result. The car was a total loss, sent to a yard and sold. I don’t know if it is available for inspection. The police report states the air bags were deployed, but only the bottom one was and not the top one. I have a photo of the steering wheel which says “airbag” and shows it did not activate. My insurance company is Allstate and deemed the car a total loss.
NHTSA ODI #11456489
Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2022
Power Train
The transmission issues has made me stuck at gas stations and other random places at night leaving me with no help
NHTSA ODI #11455958
5,000 miles · Mar 7, 2022
Structure
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed a floorboard failure. The contact continued to drive the vehicle and the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to …
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The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed a floorboard failure. The contact continued to drive the vehicle and the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to numerous dealers where the failure was unable to be detected. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.
NHTSA ODI #11455580
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2022
Service Brakes
The brakes are extremely loud when backing in the morning. I also notice what I would consider a longer breaking time thar I thought was related to the regenerative breaking system. I brought it in once to be looked at and Ford Tallahassee said its fine. It is not.
NHTSA ODI #11453542
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2022
Engine
The Electric Motor Cooling Pump failed and shut down the engine without warning. It occurred the first time on Route 1 at night and about two weeks later it occurred three consecutive times as I was driving on a local street. I was able to restart the car but was told by the dealership to have it towed to them, where it remain…
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The Electric Motor Cooling Pump failed and shut down the engine without warning. It occurred the first time on Route 1 at night and about two weeks later it occurred three consecutive times as I was driving on a local street. I was able to restart the car but was told by the dealership to have it towed to them, where it remains now while waiting for the part to arrive (which is on national back order). My safety and the safety of others was put at risk when I lost all power and only through sheer luck was I able to pull over safely. This problem was diagnosed at the dealership.
NHTSA ODI #11445900
Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2021
Unknown Or Other
Stopped at a red light on 3 lane highway, in middle lane. When light turned green, I tried to accelerate as usual, but the car (hybrid) would not go. Message on dashboard was "STOP SAFELY NOW". Car was coasting about 5 MPH. I was able to get barely off the road. I could turn the car on/off but could not get out of park a…
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Stopped at a red light on 3 lane highway, in middle lane. When light turned green, I tried to accelerate as usual, but the car (hybrid) would not go. Message on dashboard was "STOP SAFELY NOW". Car was coasting about 5 MPH. I was able to get barely off the road. I could turn the car on/off but could not get out of park and continued to receive this message. This vehicle is new, purchased less than a month ago now has 140 miles. Had to be towed to dealership. SInce this occurred I have found a recall on a few other Escape Hybrids with the same issue. REcall 21S31. The diagnostics of the car indicate same situation occurred on 11/29 but must have self-corrected.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Escape Hybrid vehicles. The engine crankshaft may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the crankshaft and replace the engine, as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed March 2, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S10.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
PE23013 · Failed Door Check Arm Attachment Point
Opened Jul 7, 2023 · Closed Jan 24, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:door ; Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments
On July 7, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-013 to investigate instances of check arm bracket failure in the front doors in model year (MY) 2020-2021 Ford Escape vehicles. At the time of opening, ODI received 118 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging this failure. To date, ODI has received 593 VOQs alleging this failure, with a variety of reported failure conditions. The most common reported failure condition was reduced door functionality (e.g. door was more difficult to open or close) and the least common was inadvertent door opening. Other reported failure conditions include inability to latch and inability to open. Three VOQs reported injuries, one of which requiring medical attention. ODI conducted a consumer survey which yielded an additional 44 injuries (although the VOQs did not indicate any injury), none of which requiring medical attention. All these injuries were bumps/bruises from the door closing on occupants’ arms and legs while entering and exiting the vehicle. The function of the check arm system is to provide hold-open assist at specific angles and to assist with door closing energy. It does not provide vertical support of the door and is independent of the latching mechanism. This failure is progressive and detectable by vehicle occupants. Consumers commonly report hearing a popping or snapping noise when opening and closing the door. This noise is caused by some of the welds between the bracket and door structure failing and detaching. There may also be visible damage present to the welds in the door structure. Continued use of the door may result in all welds separating and the bracket fully detaching from the door structure, which could lead to increased resistance in closing and opening the door, restrained window operation, and the door freely rotating when open. ODI inspected 3 consumer vehicles in the field, and 2 test vehicles at Ford’s testing facility. The test vehicles were retrofitted with the failed component. ODI observed an increased door closing resistance, however, was unable to reproduce an inadvertent open while parked or driving, or a failure to latch or open condition. Testing also verified this failure did not affect the door ajar warning system. This system provides an audible and visual warning in the event a door did not achieve primary latch position. Ford has provided details on a one-time-repair customer satisfaction program (23B56), stating that they will provide customers with a letter, currently targeted for March 2024, to bring their vehicle to a Ford dealership for a proactive repair. Dealers will inspect the door check arm welds for damage and will either provide a rivet plate to reinforce the existing door check arm or will provide a replacement door, depending on the level of damage present. Customers will be eligible for reimbursement if they previously paid to repair this issue. In view of the high detectability of failure, low potential hazard to drivers, and Ford’s customer satisfaction program to provide a proactive repair, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure:body:door
On July 7, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-013 to investigate instances of check arm bracket failure in the front doors in model year (MY) 2020-2021 Ford Escape vehicles. At the time of opening, ODI received 118 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging this failure. To date, ODI has received 593 VOQs alleging this failure, with a variety of reported failure conditions. The most common reported failure condition was reduced door functionality (e.g. door was more difficult to open or close) and the least common was inadvertent door opening. Other reported failure conditions include inability to latch and inability to open. Three VOQs reported injuries, one of which requiring medical attention. ODI conducted a consumer survey which yielded an additional 44 injuries (although the VOQs did not indicate any injury), none of which requiring medical attention. All these injuries were bumps/bruises from the door closing on occupants’ arms and legs while entering and exiting the vehicle. The function of the check arm system is to provide hold-open assist at specific angles and to assist with door closing energy. It does not provide vertical support of the door and is independent of the latching mechanism. This failure is progressive and detectable by vehicle occupants. Consumers commonly report hearing a popping or snapping noise when opening and closing the door. This noise is caused by some of the welds between the bracket and door structure failing and detaching. There may also be visible damage present to the welds in the door structure. Continued use of the door may result in all welds separating and the bracket fully detaching from the door structure, which could lead to increased resistance in closing and opening the door, restrained window operation, and the door freely rotating when open. ODI inspected 3 consumer vehicles in the field, and 2 test vehicles at Ford’s testing facility. The test vehicles were retrofitted with the failed component. ODI observed an increased door closing resistance, however, was unable to reproduce an inadvertent open while parked or driving, or a failure to latch or open condition. Testing also verified this failure did not affect the door ajar warning system. This system provides an audible and visual warning in the event a door did not achieve primary latch position. Ford has provided details on a one-time-repair customer satisfaction program (23B56), stating that they will provide customers with a letter, currently targeted for March 2024, to bring their vehicle to a Ford dealership for a proactive repair. Dealers will inspect the door check arm welds for damage and will either provide a rivet plate to reinforce the existing door check arm or will provide a replacement door, depending on the level of damage present. Customers will be eligible for reimbursement if they previously paid to repair this issue. In view of the high detectability of failure, low potential hazard to drivers, and Ford’s customer satisfaction program to provide a proactive repair, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments
On July 7, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-013 to investigate instances of check arm bracket failure in the front doors in model year (MY) 2020-2021 Ford Escape vehicles. At the time of opening, ODI received 118 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging this failure. To date, ODI has received 593 VOQs alleging this failure, with a variety of reported failure conditions. The most common reported failure condition was reduced door functionality (e.g. door was more difficult to open or close) and the least common was inadvertent door opening. Other reported failure conditions include inability to latch and inability to open. Three VOQs reported injuries, one of which requiring medical attention. ODI conducted a consumer survey which yielded an additional 44 injuries (although the VOQs did not indicate any injury), none of which requiring medical attention. All these injuries were bumps/bruises from the door closing on occupants’ arms and legs while entering and exiting the vehicle. The function of the check arm system is to provide hold-open assist at specific angles and to assist with door closing energy. It does not provide vertical support of the door and is independent of the latching mechanism. This failure is progressive and detectable by vehicle occupants. Consumers commonly report hearing a popping or snapping noise when opening and closing the door. This noise is caused by some of the welds between the bracket and door structure failing and detaching. There may also be visible damage present to the welds in the door structure. Continued use of the door may result in all welds separating and the bracket fully detaching from the door structure, which could lead to increased resistance in closing and opening the door, restrained window operation, and the door freely rotating when open. ODI inspected 3 consumer vehicles in the field, and 2 test vehicles at Ford’s testing facility. The test vehicles were retrofitted with the failed component. ODI observed an increased door closing resistance, however, was unable to reproduce an inadvertent open while parked or driving, or a failure to latch or open condition. Testing also verified this failure did not affect the door ajar warning system. This system provides an audible and visual warning in the event a door did not achieve primary latch position. Ford has provided details on a one-time-repair customer satisfaction program (23B56), stating that they will provide customers with a letter, currently targeted for March 2024, to bring their vehicle to a Ford dealership for a proactive repair. Dealers will inspect the door check arm welds for damage and will either provide a rivet plate to reinforce the existing door check arm or will provide a replacement door, depending on the level of damage present. Customers will be eligible for reimbursement if they previously paid to repair this issue. In view of the high detectability of failure, low potential hazard to drivers, and Ford’s customer satisfaction program to provide a proactive repair, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
2021 Ford Escape Hybrid Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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