Problems · NHTSA complaints
2021 Ford Escape Hybrid problems
Owners filed 363 complaints about the 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid with NHTSA between Jul 2021 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is structure (93).
Complaints
363
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
9
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Structure93
- Power train49
- Engine46
- Fuel system, gasoline46
- Service brakes41
- Electrical system36
- Fuel/propulsion system30
- Visibility19
- Back over prevention11
- Visibility/wiper9
- Seat belts9
- Service brakes, hydraulic9
- Vehicle speed control7
- Suspension7
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
8
34
79
56
70
116
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 34 |
| 2023 | 79 |
| 2024 | 56 |
| 2025 | 70 |
| 2026 | 116 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Structure
93 reports1 fire
“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 mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced, and the contact was informed that the previously installed battery was incorrect for the vehicle. The contact was referred to a second dealer for further assistance. The vehicle was towed to the second dealer, where it was diagnosed that a water leak at the C-105 connector on the front driver's side door had caused an electrical system failure. The dealer determined that the wiring harness had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.”
Power train
49 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but later became persistent. The vehicle was taken to O'Reily's where it was diagnosed with fuel control module failure, turbocharger failure, and powertrain failure. The contact was notified of three open recalls associated with the VIN. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle lost motive power and the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact was informed that the parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The failure mileage was 100,000.”
Engine
46 reports1 crash5 fires
“Car is experiencing internal engine component deterioration under Recall 23S27. Auffenberg Ford in O'Fallon, IL cleared the critical P1061 safety code on October 6 using my code reader, saying they didn’t have time to hook it up to their system and sent me home with an appointment to bring it back in, without fixing the vehicle. Ford Corporate is now utilizing that unauthorized deletion to deny my engine replacement under Customer Satisfaction Program 23N06, forcing me to drive a vehicle with a documented catastrophic engine failure and fire risk until it either throws the code again or catches fire, possibly killing one of my children, or throws a rod.”
Fuel system, gasoline
46 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the windshield wipers became inoperable. The contact stated that while driving, the RPM was fluctuating. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the parts were not yet available for the recall repairs. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact later called the dealer and was informed that parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact expressed concerns that the vehicle was unsafe to drive in inclement weather due to the inoperable windshield wipers. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.”
Service brakes
41 reports5 crashes
“The ABS system fails to engage If the vehicle is coming to a stop and there is even the slightest bump on the road. ABS disengages the brakes which follows with a rapid acceleration of the vehicle instead of slowing down. Issue occurs even If one of the rear tires feels a slight bump. This issue occurs even on dry and hot conditions unrelated to slippery conditions. I am worried in slippery conditions it gets worse.”
Electrical system
36 reports2 crashes2 fires
“within the first minute of engine start there is a high-voltage buzzing sound following with a minor smoke smell coming either from the engine bay or back of the car. You could hear this sound from outside, especially my neighbors witnessed the sound from the sidewalk. when it happens it suddenly loses power and control of the vehicle. I reported this issue to Ford helpdesk but they mentioned there was no recall for my VIN. It almost feels like it would electrocute someone.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.