Most common 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid problems
Share of the 124 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Escape Hybrid complaints by model year
Best Escape Hybrid years: 2013, 2012, 2011. Years to avoid: 2020, 2008, 2021, 2022, 2009. Compare all years →
2021 Ford Escape Hybrid recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid:
Failed Door Check Arm Attachment Point
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.
Pedestrian alert sounds
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.
What 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid owners say
Engine & cooling all 36 →
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact noticed that a loose wire hanging from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the mechanic informed him that the heat exchange wire was designed longer than needed which resulted in the defect. The dealer cautioned him that extensive driving with that wiring hanging could lead to engine damage. The contact was able to purchase the wire kit at Bates Ford (1673 W Main St, Lebanon, TN 37087) however, the dealer could not service the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that the vehicle was not under warranty. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 14,500.
I was driving down the road and the car stated to stall. I noticed white smoke in my review mirror. I started to pull over and I got a warning message that said I had zero oil pressure and the engine shut down. I costed off the road into a pull off. When we got out of the car there was a fire in the engine compartment. As we were out in the middle of no where it took the local voulunteer fire depart 25 minutes to respond. In that time the car was a total loss. I did not hit anything in the road and I was drive around 60 mph at the time this started.
Body & structure all 32 →
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, a loud noise came from the hood with the hood vibrating. The contact stated he had opened and closed the hood several times however, the vibration and the loud noise continued. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the mechanic tightened the adjustable hood bumpers however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the president of the dealer test drove the vehicle and verified that there was a failure. The dealer president informed the contact that the dealer could not correct the failure. The contact stated that he was also informed that he could take the vehicle to 3 other dealers to diagnose the vehicle under the Lemon Law provision. …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front driver's side door had experienced multiple defects. The contact stated that a metal piece on the door had formed 3 holes on the inside of the door. As a result, the door would swing open without hesitation; in addition, the window failed to roll down as needed. The vehicle was initially taken to a local dealer who could not service the vehicle and referred her to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified, and a case was filed. The vehicle was then taken to Hubler Ford Center, Inc. (2605 IN-130 #44, Shelbyville, IN 46176) and diagnosed and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer agreed to cover a part of the repair cost. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
Electrical system all 22 →
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that AAA was notified and was able to jumpstart the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that a message indicating to turn off the voltage to save power or restart vehicle appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed to drive the vehicle more and the battery was replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact then stated that the front passenger's side window inadvertently rolled down. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the glider and sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V149000 (Electrical System, Hybrid Propulsion System). …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that on several occasions, the electrical system had malfunctioned causing the vehicle to inadvertently shut off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the 12-volt battery was faulty. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V869000 (Electrical System, Hybrid Propulsion System). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the Forward Collision Avoidance system activated; however, there was no vehicle or object nearby. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who changed the Forward Collision Avoidance System sensitivity however the failure continued. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 500.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid a good car?
Based on 124 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Escape Hybrid rates avoid: 3.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Escape Hybrid at the same age. It is one of the Escape Hybrid years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid?
The engine & cooling — 36 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the body & structure (32) and electrical system (22).
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid have?
There is 1 recall for the 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid, the most recent from February 24, 2022 (hard parts internal/mechanical). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Escape Hybrid?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013, 2012 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2020, 2008, 2021, 2022 and 2009. See the full Ford Escape Hybrid years comparison.
At what mileage do 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 37,000 miles; 76% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.