Ford Escape Complaints (2021)

498 consumer complaints on file.

#11671415July 6, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The shade for the panoramic sunroof malfunctioned. The shade will not roll up properly causing the shade to sag and block rear visibility.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669806June 27, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There was a clunking sound when I opened the sun roof. Later when we closed the sun shade, it seems to be hesitating. The next time we opened the sun shade, it seems to be catching. As I drove there was a sliding sound that we finally identified as coming from the sunroof. Something could be seen from the sunshade: an outline of something that continued to slide around in all directions. I looked it up on the internet, concerned about what it could be and discovered that there have been 2021 Escapes with the panoramic sunroof that have a manufacturing defect resulting in poor adhesion of the fixed glass panel and/or front panel to the roof frame. There was a warning that The roof panel or front panel could detach from the vehicle while driving. Detachment could result in injury or death to road users. It can also lead to water leaks and wind noise which it links to the drip rails. I am concerned that this item sliding around is going to tear the headliner and fall on me or a passenger and am not sure it IS a drip rail.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668665June 23, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Service Engine Soon" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that an unknown valve needed to be replaced. The unknown valve failure was related to the fuel intake. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the same valve failure. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the same failure and the vehicle was repaired again; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667255June 16, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The sunshade rolled in after the cross bar of the panoramic sunroom fell on the sunshade. My dealer is quoting me $1500 to repair the sunshade and no other mechanics will even touch it. My car is a 2021 Ford Escape SEL. Its is a very gently used car and it is terrible that this is happening. It has impacted me financially in a big way and am struggling to find a way to pay for it. I have only had my car for 1 year. Please make Ford do a recall so others do not have to go through this too. Thank you!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666929June 14, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
The door check bracket is broken
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11663746May 29, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while making a right turn at approximately 10 MPH, a fuel odor had begun to leak into the interior cabin before the engine caught on fire. The A/C was activated during the time of the failure. No warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to extinguish the fire, she fell on her stomach while pregnant, causing a miscarriage for which medical attention was sought. A police report was not filed. A Fire report was filed. The origin of the fire was unknown. The contact stated that a nearby school bus provided a fire extinguisher for the contact to extinguish the fire. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle's engine was replaced a the local dealer prior to the fire however soon noticed the vehicle was still not operating as normal. The dealer was notified but declined to provide a loaner vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local residential address after the fire, where it remains on a driveway. The origin of the fire was unknown. The contact mentioned that, due to costs the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired for the fire failure. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V859000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V187000 (Fuel System, Gasoline however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11663389May 28, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V954000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11662542May 22, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact was informed at a State Inspection that the gateway module had failed and needed to be replaced to complete the State Inspection. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the gateway module was updated. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 22N15. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied reimbursement for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 14,300. A complaint was filed with the manufacturer as well as the NHTSA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661786May 19, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
The contact called for a customer who owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while opening and closing the front driver’s side door, there was a loud banging and clucking sound coming from the door. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the bolts on the door arm mounted onto the door assembly had fractured and detached. The contact was informed that the door assembly might need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 22,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660628May 13, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
I was leaving work and my 2021 Ford Escape hybrid started but then a triangle warning light came on, a "stop safely now" warning appeared and the car shut off. There were no problems prior to this event. I had the vehicle towed to a Ford dealership in February where they replaced the 12v battery and the machine needed to diagnose the electrical issue was down. Yesterday I finally got news that it was firing code P0DE6 and the hybrid battery needs replaced as well. There have been several recalls related to hybrid batteries with these same warning indicators, however my car's VIN was not included in the recall. Could the recall be extended to include other vehicles that this is happening to? It seems as if there are many more out there than what the recall covered and it's a much bigger issue than Ford may realize. People's cars could just shut down in the middle of the road with little to no warning.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659580May 7, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The liner for the panoramic sunroof has come off the tracks on the sides so the liner hangs down into the car and obstructs the view.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657518April 29, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
My back passenger door will not lock. If I lock it from my ford app or key fob that back door stays unlocked. This puts my safety at risk because I’m a young female living in a big city known for sex trafficking. I could be followed to my car and I could lock the door but that door stays unlocked someone could kidnap me. Or what if I’m driving the car and the door flies open, that can cause a deadly accident. There was no warning signs or messages just a mere coincidence that I noticed it wasn’t locking. We took it into ford and they have found the issue but don’t want to cover it even though we pay for the primary care. I noticed that past models have been recalled for this issue and should be recalled again that this is something that should not be taken lightly. A lock on a door is not wear and tear when it doesn’t get used.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657336April 28, 2025
ENGINE
Lithia ford is Fresno worked on exhaust and replaced cat converter on September 5th 2024 for the dealer in which I purchased my vehicle. Ford did not put the support bracket that holds the exhaust and catalytic converter in place back on after the repair. I purchased the vehicle and after 1 month of driving it, the vehicle exhaust started to get really loud and began leaking exhaust fumes into the cab of the car. Car was taken to Tulare Ford to be checked when the missing bracket was discovered and work history was pulled on the vehicle showing Lithia’s direct connection to the exact missing part. Lithia ford refuses to take responsibility for their failure to properly secure the exhaust and catalytic converter which directly cause the issue at hand.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657127April 28, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Vehicle will completely cut off when stopped at lights sometimes. And I have to turn off vehicle and restart it to get vehicle going again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656584April 24, 2025
VISIBILITY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
The contact owns 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side window failed to operate as designed and was stuck in the open position and failed to close. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who repaired the vehicle. No further information was available. The contact stated that the failure recently reoccurred with the rear driver’s side window. Additionally, the instrument cluster malfunctioned, and the contact was unable to view the speedometer and fuel gauge. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654797April 15, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Door welds were recalled and doors to replace have been on back order for months. My drivers side window now does not properly go up and down. Door pops when opened or closed and will not stay open if needed. My drivers side window also now has a scratch. I’m tired of waiting for a repair and still having to pay for a vehicle that is falling apart and nothing being done about it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654133April 11, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V954000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer stated the remedy was expected to be available second quarter of 2025; however, it could not give an exact date. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654063April 11, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond as needed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer transferred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 73,925.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653968April 10, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Problem Description Component/System Failed: The driver-side front door has been inoperable since April 2024, unable to open or close, linked to Ford’s Customer Satisfaction Program 23B56 (faulty door welds/hinges). Vehicle is available for inspection. Safety Risk: I must climb over the passenger seat to enter/exit, risking injury, especially in emergencies. My disabled veteran father, who shares the car, cannot drive it due to inaccessibility, severely limiting his mobility. An inoperable door could delay evacuation, endangering us both. Confirmed by Dealer: Empire Ford, New Bedford, MA, confirmed the issue in October 2024, tying it to 23B56. They quoted 2-3 weeks for parts but haven’t repaired it as of April 10, 2025. Inspections: Only Empire Ford inspected it in October 2024. They admitted to marking the work order as done without repairs, restarting the process. No other inspections by Ford, police, or insurers occurred. Symptoms/Warnings: No warning lights or messages. Around April 2024, the door became hard to open/close, then failed completely, remaining stuck closed. No prior noises or partial issues noted. Details: In October 2024, I took my Escape to Empire Ford for the 23B56 repair. They said parts would take 2-3 weeks. After months without updates, I learned they falsely marked the job complete, forcing a restart. Six months later, the door is still broken, and they only say parts are “ordered,” offering no timeline. This aligns with NHTSA’s PE23013 investigation into Escape door welds. The delay makes the car unsafe and unusable for my father. I request NHTSA’s help to push Ford for a prompt fix or loaner vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653873April 10, 2025
SEAT BELTS
The contact called on behalf of his wife who owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the temperature was cold the seat belt buckled and remained in place as needed; however, during hot temperatures the seat belt was difficult to unbuckle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the seat belt was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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