2021 Ford Escape Hybrid Engine Problems

Mileage when the problem started

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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.

METAL-TO-METAL CLANK TO ENGINE. This is the last incident that occurred while traveling to my job in Richmond, Virginia and back home to Fredericksburg, Virginia on 12/20/23. I traveled a total of 100 miles that day. I have reported this same issue previously 4 times to Sheehy Ford of Ashland in Ashland, Virginia to the Service Shop Associates where I purchase my vehicle. They told me to continue to drive my vehicle but I explain to them that Ford was suppose to have a remedy by October of 2023 but nothing happened. My car continues to get worse and my 3 year warranty to my vehicle is up in March of 2024. As a consumer I should not have to be put in this position. This is not only unfair but dangerous to travel on the highway. I should of been given a new vehicle and Ford Motor Company should be responsible to not allowing for this to continue. …

Safety Recall Notice 23S27 - Engine Failure - How does UPDATING THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE fix an internal engine manufacturing problem? Does this correct the internal engine manufacturing issue with these vehicles? Or is this just a fire prevention issue? This fix seems similar to the previous fix of drilling holes in the pan under the engine to allow the leaking oil to drain out, thereby preventing a fire. This fix appears to be a band-aid to avoid correcting the original engine manufacturing issue by forcing the engine to shut down before the oil leaks out. Recall Reference Number: 22S47 Isolated engine manufacturing issues have resulted in engine failures involving engine block or oil pan breach on certain 2020-2023 Ford Escape and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles with 2.5L HEV/PHEV engines. …

Had software update performed by dealer for 23S27 recall. Two weeks later sitting at a light amber box appeared that said check manual and had a picture of a wrench clicked ok to dismiss. Light changed and proceeded to make my left turn with no power. Looked back at dash and now MIL lamp (check engine) is lit. Pulled over, shut the car off and went to use rest room hoping car would reset itself. No joy car is in full blown limp mode 30 mph max. Called dealer and they said they would have to charge me a diagnostic fee. I said your are not supposed to charge a fee for a recall. Went home read the code with my own reader. P1061 was set. Googled the code and it said this code was setting on Escape hybrids after recall software update. On 9/5/24 took car to dealer said nothing was in the knock pid and reset the code and limo mode, tech noted it was likely to reappear. …

On Saturday at approximately 8:25 p.m., my 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid SEL abruptly entered limp mode while traveling on a major highway. The vehicle's speed rapidly dropped from approximately 60-65mph to 20 mph in heavy, high-speed (many driving over 70mph)traffic. I immediately activated my hazard lights and exited the highway at the first opportunity, narrowly avoiding a serious fatal collision. Today, Crossroads Ford in Apex, North Carolina, informed me that the issue was caused by a faulty engine sensor. Given the severe safety hazard this created and the existing recalls associated with this vehicle model, I am requesting that this matter be fully addressed. I am currently being told that I will be required to pay for these repairs out of pocket, which I do not believe is appropriate for a critical safety failure. Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter. …

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.

We stopped driving this vehicle when notice was sent about the possible engine fire. We are appalled that Ford has provided no fix for this for 9 months (May 2023 to Feb 2024, the time of this complaint). We contacted a Lemon Law lawyer but there's no protection unless the engine were to malfunction. Tell me: Would you want to drive your kids in a vehicle with an engine that could explode into flames without notice? We've lost $12,000 so far: $6,000 paying the loan + dmv/insurance on the Ford and another $6,000 for the same for a replacement vehicle. Cannot do PNO bec of lien.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V380000 (Engine) 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 available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V380000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and 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 experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Related recalls

Engine complaints in other Escape Hybrid years