Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2021 Ford EscapeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 19 safety recalls and 353 owner complaints for the 2021 Ford Escape. Most complaints involve structure (92) and fuel system, gasoline (46). The EPA rates it 26–41 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
26–41mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
19campaigns
Latest Mar 2026
Owner complaints
353
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$1,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

19 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Back over prevention: software

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Back over preventionReported Mar 4, 2026NHTSA 26V123000

Visibility: windshield wiper

Remedy pending

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.

VisibilityReported Mar 3, 2026NHTSA 26V117000

Structure: hatchback

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported Dec 2, 2025NHTSA 25V829000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

353 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2021 – Oct 2026
  1. Structure92
  2. Fuel system, gasoline46
  3. Power train46
  4. Engine44
  5. Service brakes40
  6. Electrical system34
  7. Fuel/propulsion system29
  8. Visibility18
  9. Back over prevention11

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Escape model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20011,027
20021,070
2003598
2004499
20051,584
2006720
2007393
20082,417
20091,693
20102,130
20111,319
2012604
20132,757
20142,089
20151,135
20161,178
20172,701
20181,823
2019599
20201,548
2021353
2022238
2023102
202477
202526
20263
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
9
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

92 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2026Electrical system, StructureODI 11760376

Fuel system, gasoline

46 reports1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2026Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasoline, Power trainODI 11773033

Power train

46 reports1 crash
“The transmission stopped working while driving in a thunderstorm in the middle of a busy intersection. These created a dangerous safety situation which was luckily avoided by the driver. We had the care inspected and the transmission removed, rebuilt and re-installed by Nightingale Transmissions LLC in [XXX]. There were no warnings or symptoms with this car until the accelerator jumped in the middle of the intersection. The only warning was that two other Ford Escape's in the Kansas Municipal Utilities' fleet had to have transmission's repaired just a few weeks prior”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026Power trainODI 11772424
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl hybrid · 2.5L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid · 1.5L 3-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic 8-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
EV range
520 mi (EPA)

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Escape FWD HEV
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
443741$1,550220
Escape AWD HEV
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
433740$1,600224
Escape FWD PHEV
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
433840$1,60077
Escape FWD
Auto 8-spd, 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
283430$2,150293
Escape AWD
Auto 8-spd, 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
263128$2,300318
Escape AWD
Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
233126$2,450342
  • Escape FWD HEV
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    44 city · 37 hwy · $1,550/yr
    41
    mpg comb.
  • Escape AWD HEV
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    43 city · 37 hwy · $1,600/yr
    40
    mpg comb.
  • Escape FWD PHEV
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    43 city · 38 hwy · $1,600/yr
    40
    mpg comb.
  • Escape FWD
    Auto 8-spd, 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    28 city · 34 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Escape AWD
    Auto 8-spd, 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    26 city · 31 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Escape AWD
    Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    23 city · 31 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Ford Escape SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.4%
Overall
5 / 5
Ford Escape SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 15420Vehicle 15375
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2021 Escape questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Escape have?

19 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2021 Ford Escape problems?

Owners filed 353 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (92), fuel system, gasoline (46), power train (46). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Ford Escape get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Ford Escape at 26–41 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2021 Ford Escape?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Ford Escape 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026