The 2021 Ford Escape's elevated safety profile includes 10 recall campaigns and 262 owner-reported complaints. Make recall verification part of your pre-purchase checklist.

Recalls

262

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

21V8690002021-10-11

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

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.

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

View at NHTSA

21V9220002021-23-11

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco Sport and Escape vehicles. The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect braking performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

During certain situations, the driver may have to apply more brake pedal force, and the distance required to stop the vehicle may be extended, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

22V1490002022-11-03

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

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.

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

View at NHTSA

View all 10 recalls

22V1910002022-25-03

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak.

An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

View at NHTSA

22V8590002022-18-11

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.

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

View at NHTSA

25V1650002025-14-03

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.

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

View at NHTSA

25V4670002025-11-07

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.

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

View at NHTSA

25V8290002025-01-12

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

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.

A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

26V1170002026-03-03

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

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.

Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

26V1230002026-03-03

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

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."

An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 2021 Ford Escape has accumulated 262 NHTSA complaints over 1 years, with structure leading the pack. Know what to look for before you buy.

01Structure71

02Unknown Or Other30

03Service Brakes23

04Fuel System, Gasoline22

05Power Train12

262 total across 1 model years (2021–2021)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Ford Escape Fuel Economy

26–41mpg combined

23-44city

31-38hwy

$1,050-$1,700/yr

With 6 configurations tested, the 2021 Ford Escape ranges from 26 to 41 MPG combined. That's a 15 MPG gap that can add up to hundreds of dollars a year in fuel costs.

By Trim

Escape FWD HEV - Automatic (variable gear ratios)

41mpg

2.5L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

44 city37 hwy~$1,050/yr8/10 Clean

Escape AWD HEV - Automatic (variable gear ratios)

40mpg

2.5L 4-cyl · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

43 city37 hwy~$1,100/yr8/10 Clean

Escape FWD PHEV - Automatic (variable gear ratios)

40mpg

2.5L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

43 city38 hwy~$1,100/yr10/10 Clean

Escape FWD - Automatic 8-spd

30mpg

1.5L 3-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

28 city34 hwy~$1,450/yr6/10 Average

Escape AWD - Automatic 8-spd

28mpg

1.5L 3-cyl Turbo · All-Wheel Drive

26 city31 hwy~$1,550/yr6/10 Average

Escape AWD - Automatic 8-spd

26mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · All-Wheel Drive

23 city31 hwy~$1,700/yr5/10 Average

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 2021 Ford Escape

38States

26%in top 3

If you're near Michigan, you're in luck: 11% of listings are there. But with 38 states represented, there's likely one near you too.

MIMichigan

1,82111%

TXTexas

1,4159%

FLFlorida

1,1057%

PAPennsylvania

1,0526%

MOMissouri

9176%

ILIllinois

8625%

OHOhio

6964%

DEDelaware

6144%

MNMinnesota

4773%

CACalifornia

4403%

GAGeorgia

4323%

NCNorth Carolina

4183%

INIndiana

4082%

NYNew York

3922%

DCWashington DC

3532%

MDMaryland

3362%

AZArizona

3152%

TNTennessee

3152%

NJNew Jersey

2892%

KY279

NH276

CO275

WI267

OK234

WA208

OR174

NV140

UT138

IA133

NE131

AL129

VA127

ME126

MA124

RI117

KS104

NM92

ID85

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 2021.

2021 Ford Escape Buyer FAQ

What to know before you buy

Is the 2021 Ford Escape a good car to buy?

Here's the short version on the 2021 Ford Escape. There are 10 recalls to verify before purchase. Dig into the safety overview and pricing trends for recall-by-recall detail.

Are there recalls on the 2021 Ford Escape?

NHTSA shows 10 recall campaigns for the 2021 Ford Escape. Before buying, verify all recalls are complete. The dealer must fix them at no charge. See the safety section for the full list.

What's the gas mileage of the 2021 Ford Escape?

You'll get between 26 and 41 MPG combined from the 2021 Ford Escape, depending on engine and drivetrain. That's a meaningful difference over time. The fuel economy table shows exactly which configs get what.

What are common problems with the 2021 Ford Escape?

STRUCTURE problems top the list with 262 total complaints filed. Not every car is affected, but it's worth asking about and inspecting. Full details in the known issues section.