2021 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID Complaints and Recall Information
The 2021 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID has 10 complaints and 1 recall filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues with the electrical system, high-voltage battery failures, and problems related to door and window functionality. Several complaints detail warning lights illuminating and failures involving the vehicle shifting into park unexpectedly.
Common Issues- Electrical system failure. Vehicles show warning messages such as "Stop Safely Now" and experience unintended shifting into park with illuminated powertrain warning lights. Dealers often cannot duplicate the faults.
- High-voltage battery failure. Owners report check engine lights illuminating and dealers diagnosing the need for battery replacement. Some cite related recalls, but VINs are sometimes excluded from those recalls and no assistance was offered.
- Door and window malfunction. Door fails to stay open causing injury; windows fail to close properly and dealers report difficulties in repairing these issues locally.
- Cruise control and feature failure. Cruise control and multiple other features fail to activate at highway speeds along with airbag indicator warnings; seat belt buckle replacement is pending due to parts availability.
- Fuel neck tube defect. Fuel pumps stop repeatedly during refueling causing overflow and risk of overfilling. The defect is acknowledged by Ford with partial repair cost coverage but is out of warranty.
- Power window switch defect. Chrome tips peel off power window switches causing cuts on fingers. Ford identifies this as a VIN-specific issue requiring a claim filing.
- Engine failure and recall dispute. Engine failure occurred with symptoms matching a recall, but Ford declined full warranty coverage due to missing diagnostic codes, offering partial payment instead.
There is one recall for the 2021 Escape Hybrid affecting engine internal components involving potential crankshaft manufacturing defects. The recall impacts driveability and fire risk due to possible engine damage.
Recalls- Engine crankshaft defect. (NHTSA Recall 22V109000) Affects 155 vehicles. The crankshaft may have been manufactured incorrectly which can cause engine damage leading to stalls or fire risk. Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as needed free of charge. No "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" advisories were issued. Owner notifications were mailed in March 2022.
Owners dealing with repeated electrical failures, high-voltage battery replacements, or unresolved recall repairs may have rights under their state lemon laws. Consulting with a consumer protection attorney familiar with automotive defect cases is recommended for those facing ongoing issues.
2021 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID Summary
2021
Model Year
10
Total Complaints
1
Total Recalls
155
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2021 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID
155 vehicles affected
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.
Risk: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Complaints
2021 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID
ID: 2078088ENGINE
My engine failed while driving. Towed to Ford dealership, found out about recall 23S27. Symptoms were the EXACT same but ford is refusing to cover warranty repairs because they said it did not throw the proper code. However ford has offered to cover half of the engine replacement, leaving me with a $4000 bill. Do I have any options? Is there a system of checks and balances that assures that ford is doing everything correctly on their end?
2021 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID
ID: 2073697UNKNOWN OR OTHER
From the Ford website: "Power window switch chrome tip replacement Campaign/NHTSA# 22N17 Issue Date 2023-05-16" The tips peeled off and I get cuts on my fingers. Ford dealership, Golf Mill Ford in Niles IL, informed me this is a VIN specific issue and I needed to file this claim. Please advise.
2021 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID
ID: 2070079HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the high-voltage battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer reset the check engine warning light. The contact stated that the following day after the reset, the check engine warning light illuminated a second time. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V869000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
2021 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID
ID: 2070078ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the high-voltage battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer reset the check engine warning light. The contact stated that the following day after the reset, the check engine warning light illuminated a second time. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V869000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
2021 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID
ID: 2069221ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V954000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that after coasting out of the garage the vehicle stalled, the shifter seized in park(P), and the message “Stop Safely Now” was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to another dealer, Kendall Ford of Bend (2100 NE 3rd St, Bend, OR 97701); who diagnosed that the high-voltage battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The failure was related to the recall; however, the recall repair could not be completed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure was mileage was 51,988. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2021 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID
ID: 2068727POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V954000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that while pulling out of the driveway, the message "Stop Safely Now" was displayed, and the vehicle inadvertently shifted into park(P) and failed to shift into the intended gear. The power train warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to two dealers where the failure was unable to be duplicated. The vehicle was towed to another dealer, but the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,988.
2021 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID
ID: 2068726ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V954000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that while pulling out of the driveway, the message "Stop Safely Now" was displayed, and the vehicle inadvertently shifted into park(P) and failed to shift into the intended gear. The power train warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to two dealers where the failure was unable to be duplicated. The vehicle was towed to another dealer, but the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,988.
2021 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID
ID: 2061436FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The fuel neck tube requires replacement as per the mechanic's assessment. When refueling, the pump frequently stops every 5-10 seconds, as though the tank is full, necessitating multiple restarts. This defect makes it difficult to ascertain when the tank is genuinely full, leading to the risk of overfilling. On two occasions, despite the pump's intermittent stopping, it eventually functioned normally but resulted in overfilling, causing fuel to overflow from the fuel neck. This issue has been deemed out of warranty; however, Ford has offered to cover 50% of the repair costs as a goodwill gesture. Nonetheless, I believe that this defect should be fully covered and that a recall is warranted due to its significant safety implications. Additionally, a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) exists for this issue, and there is a substantial online community documenting similar defects in the 2020-2023 Escape Hybrids. The estimated repair cost is $1,100, and the vehicle has less than 14,000 miles on the odometer. Enclosed are the diagnostic report (repairs pending), email correspondence from Ford, and the relevant TSB.
2021 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID
ID: 2059594SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and at various speeds, the cruise control and several other features failed to activate. The contact stated that the air bag indicator and a message that the rear seat monitor default warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined to replace the driver's side seat belt buckle. The vehicle was not repaired because the dealer was waiting for the part to be received. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,500.
2021 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID
ID: 2058582STRUCTURE:BODY
Door fails to stay open. Closed on my leg and caused bruising. Window will not close once open. Dealer has known of problem for two months but says there is no one locally to fix it.