2021 Ford Escape body & structure problems

Related recalls

• Recall 25V829000Dec 1, 2025108,762 vehicles
  STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2025 Escape vehicles. The liftgate hinge covers may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.

  Risk: A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall, or replace any missing liftgate hinge covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 3, 2025.

• Recall 22V484000Jul 7, 2022100,689 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS:ACTIVE SHUTTERS/GRILL · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair, and 2022 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines. 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.

  Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

  Remedy: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will modify the under engine shield and active grille shutter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S47.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 28, 202676,000 miILBody & StructureElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was serviced under Customer Satisfaction Program 23B-56; however, the replacement welding caused the front driver's side door to fail. Additionally, the contact stated that while attempting to enter the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start, and multiple warning lights illuminated. The vehicle required a jump-start to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent…

   NHTSA complaint #11760376 · source
2. Filed Aug 26, 2026MNBody & StructureElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   When I lock my car, whether from my phone, keys, or lock button inside car, the car will lock except the passenger side door which remains unlocked. So when the car is supposed to be locked and secured, anyone who wants can gain access in my car whenever they want. The car alarm will go off. But the door still opens. I believe this is a safety concern for my family and I while being in the vehicle and also a threat to valuables in my car. I haven’t had it looked at yet. But…

   NHTSA complaint #11759872 · source
3. Filed Jun 18, 2026TXBody & Structure

   The sunroof cover has come off its tracks and has lost tension. It requires a full sunroof cover replacement. Upon searching this issue online, I found it was a common issue in Escapes around 2020-2022.

   NHTSA complaint #11745094 · source
4. Filed Jun 10, 2026OHFireBody & StructureElectrical SystemEngine

   On XXX I was driving my 2021 Ford Escape for 10 minutes before I stopped at Sheetz gas station on [XXX]. I ran into the building to withdraw cash from the ATM leaving my fiance and dog in the car while it sat idle. Upon exiting the building about 30 seconds to a minute later, I witnessed smoke coming up from the hood of my car. My fiance and Dog quickly evacuated the car as we saw flames emerging. I ran inside to get assistance from the workers and they brought out fire…

   NHTSA complaint #11743124 · source
5. Filed May 16, 2026INBody & Structure

   Nothing malfunctioned. All I was asking for was a fender to hood adjustment and the dealership kept telling me they don't do that and that I would need to go to a bodyshop. The fender to hood alignment issue didn't put others at risk. What the problem is is the door is not aligned based on OEM requirements and the recall repair was completed but not done correctly. The problem has been identified by the dealer. The vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer. No warning…

   NHTSA complaint #11738241 · source
6. Filed May 6, 202679,845 miNJBody & StructureFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway, the vehicle suddenly shut off and failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the fuel injector had failed. The vehicle was repaired. After having the vehicle repaired, the contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), 25V829000 (Structure), 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention), and 26V117000 (Visibility);…

   NHTSA complaint #11736055 · source
7. Filed Apr 23, 2026WABody & StructureDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V789000 (Electrical System), 25V829000 (Structure), 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention) and 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact had not…

   NHTSA complaint #11733357 · source
8. Filed Apr 7, 2026VABody & Structure

   The front driver door check arm attachment point is compromised. My service representative has over a dozen of these problems. This means there are many more of these issues than you indicate in your NHSTA action number PE23013, July 7, 2023-January 24, 2024 report. My window might or might not go down or up. This is a problem with my allergies and my daughter's asthma when triggers are present outside. My door might or might not shut. Also a problem. I might get stranded…

   NHTSA complaint #11729688 · source
9. Filed Apr 7, 2026MIBody & StructureDriver Assistance & Safety TechVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention), 26V117000 (Visibility), and 25V829000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the…

   NHTSA complaint #11729646 · source
10. Filed Mar 3, 2026NEBody & StructureOther / Unknown

    the sunshade panotramic panel cover that sperates the two roofs seems to be falling off due to cheap two side tape which caused the whole sunshade assembly and motor to break. I took my car to the dealer yeasterday Anderson Ford based in Lincoln NE, and they cahrged $119 to diagnis and qouted me over $2000 to fix it. This is manufacturere fault that caused this to happed by using cheap, unreliable two side tape to attach panel cover!. Please address this as alot of Ford…

    NHTSA complaint #11721677 · source
11. Filed Feb 3, 2026FLBody & Structure

    Sunroof cover has detached. When uncovering sunroof, panel droops and blocks rear window. This happened while driving and can pose a serious safety hazard. Component has been inspected by dealership and diagnostics include taking entire top panel apart which is quoted at 2.5k. This is a recurring problem with Ford Escape vehicles. There was no warning that this was broken, I realized while driving that it had become detached when I tried to open the sunroof and it blocked my…

    NHTSA complaint #11715274 · source
12. Filed Jan 26, 2026NJBody & StructureFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 25V829000 (Structure); however, the parts for the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not…

    NHTSA complaint #11713409 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology