2021 Ford Escape fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

73 owners have reported fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion problems with the 2021 Ford Escape, 21% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 70,000 mi.

Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion complaints
73
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Injuries
1
Related recalls
6
Median mileage
70,000 mi

Specific components reported

Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion covers: Fuel system (gas/diesel), fuel pump, hybrid and electric propulsion and battery.

ComponentComplaints
Fuel system, gasoline44
Fuel/propulsion system29

Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion complaints across Ford Escape years

420051320079820092414201116124201370372015378020175225201919573202186720235220251
Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion complaints by model year. The 2021 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k110k–30k430k–60k660k–100k100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 25V467000Jul 11, 2025694,271 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control software. In addition, dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel rail assembly and fuel injectors, free of charge. As an interim repair, dealers will update the engine control software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed August 29, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in July 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S76. This recall expands and replaces previous recall numbers 22V-859, 24V187, and 25V165. Vehicles previously remedied under 22V-859, 24V187, and 25V165 will need to have the new final remedy performed once it is available.

  • Recall 25V165000Mar 14, 202533,576 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 22V-859 or 24V-187. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S21.

  • Recall 22V859000Nov 18, 2022521,746 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control software to include fuel injector leak detection and install a drain tube, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed January 9, 2023. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 1st Quarter of 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S73. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 22V-191. Vehicles previously remedied under 22V-191 will need to have the new remedy performed.

  • Recall 22V149000Mar 11, 20223 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY · HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Corsair and 2021-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with a 2.5L Hybrid powertrain. The high voltage battery may fail, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.

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

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the high voltage battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S48.

  • Recall 21V869000Nov 10, 20211 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY · HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling one 2021 Escape vehicle equipped with a 2.5L hybrid powertrain. The high voltage battery may fail, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.

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

    Remedy: 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.

  • Recall 21V625000Aug 10, 202113,773 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles. The fuel delivery module may leak inside the fuel tank, causing low fuel pressure which could result in an engine stall.

    Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. Interim notification letters (remedy not available) were mailed on September 30, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 14, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S38.

What owners say

  1. Filed Sep 22, 2026TXFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    When I would turn on the vehicle, it would emit a strong smell of gasoline. The vehicle continued to have the same issues after prior service and complaint to the dealership about the continued smell of gasoline emitting from my 21-ford escape. A technician then verified the concern and found an exhaust leak present on the catalytic converter, when the car had very low mileage. The smell of gasoline combined with a leak created a potential fire hazard and risk of carbon…
    NHTSA complaint #11766105 · source
  2. Filed Sep 22, 2026TXFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    My vehicle has experienced repeated transmission failures requiring major repairs. During diagnosis, the dealership reported excessive transmission material and missing friction material inside the transmission for second time. This is now the second transmission repair on the vehicle. Before repair, the vehicle would unexpectedly lunge forward and accelerate super-fast. The sudden fast acceleration and loss of vehicle operation created a significant safety concern,…
    NHTSA complaint #11766079 · source
  3. Filed Sep 15, 2026NVElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    Windows sometimes don't roll up or down, driver side doors do not lock, vehicle doesn't properly accelerate/very slow to go like gas isn't reaching where it needs to go, the transmission area makes a clunking noise, and the back sensor seems to have fallen out and it constantly beeps as if I am going to hit something, the side mirrors sometimes tell me there is something next to me when nothing is around, dash warning lights go off randomly sometimes.
    NHTSA complaint #11764550 · source
  4. Filed Sep 1, 2026GAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); 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 made aware of the issue. The contact stated that there was a misfire coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the…
    NHTSA complaint #11761325 · source
  5. Filed Jul 30, 2026TXFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionVisibility & Wipers
    The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) and 26V117000 (VISIBILITY); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not…
    NHTSA complaint #11753814 · source
  6. Filed Jul 23, 2026DEFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet…
    NHTSA complaint #11752308 · source
  7. Filed Jul 21, 2026TXEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    Complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) I am filing this complaint regarding an unresolved safety recall on my vehicle. This recall has remained open for more than one year, yet no remedy has been made available. Despite the manufacturer acknowledging the safety defect, I continue to operate a vehicle that presents significant safety concerns because the defect has not been corrected. The recall has caused my vehicle to experience severe…
    NHTSA complaint #11751782 · source
  8. Filed Jul 7, 2026GAFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionVisibility & Wipers
    The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received recall notifications for NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the parts required to complete the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact called the local dealer and left a voicemail message, but the contact had not received a return call. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.
    NHTSA complaint #11748809 · source
  9. Filed Jun 16, 2026ARDriver Assistance & Safety TechFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionVisibility & Wipers
    The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention), and 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.
    NHTSA complaint #11744419 · source
  10. Filed Jun 11, 2026ALFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); 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.
    NHTSA complaint #11743518 · source
  11. Filed Jun 11, 202670,000 miOHFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced difficulty starting and hesitation upon acceleration. Additionally, the check engine warning light was persistently illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated…
    NHTSA complaint #11743400 · source
  12. Filed May 26, 202639,000 miNCDriver Assistance & Safety TechFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionVisibility & Wipers
    The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V117000(VISIBILITY); 25V467000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); 26V123000(BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.…
    NHTSA complaint #11739999 · source

Other 2021 Ford Escape problem areas

Back to all 2021 Ford Escape problems →

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