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2021 Ford Escape SUV AWD

3
Recalls
19
Complaints
Overall rating

Safety Ratings.

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings help consumers compare vehicle safety when searching for a car. More stars mean safer cars.

Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
Overall Front Star Rating

Combines Driver and Passenger star ratings into a single frontal rating. The frontal barrier test simulates a head-on collision between two similar vehicles, each moving at 35 mph.

Front Driver Side
Front Passenger Side
Overall Side Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Driver
Passenger
Overall Side Pole Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Rollover Star Rating

The Rollover Resistance test measures the risk of rollover in a single-vehicle, loss-of-control scenario.

Rollover Risk: 17.4%

Complaints
Recalls

19 Complaints

for 2021 FORD ESCAPE
01/26/2022
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 01/21/2022
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1FMCU0G61MU******
Summary

I was coming to a stop at a red light when my brakes began to get hard to the point to where I couldn’t press them down. I then rear ended another vehicle. It seems to me that the power brakes might have failed. After crashing my brakes seem to go back to normal but still felt abnormally stiff. There was no injuries in the accident. The car is under an open recall stating this exact problem. I contacted our local dealer the day I found out about the recall and they told me that the car was to drive and parts would not be available until the 2nd Quarter of 2022. The recall also states that it only happened under certain circumstances. I will not be driving the vehicle until after recall is fixed because it is an unsafe vehicle to drive due to not knowing when the brakes might fail again.

01/24/2022
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 01/03/2022
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1FMCU9J98MU******
Summary

I rented this Ford Escape from Avis this month and ran into what could have been an incredibly dangerous safety issue due to a massive oversight in the car's design. I installed a small booster seat in the passenger side back seat for my 10 year-old son. He got in the seat and attached his seat belt, which he has done hundreds of times before in our own car. About 1 hour into a 2-hour freeway trip, a notification went off on the dashboard, telling me that a seat belt in the back had come undone. My son tried frantically to reattach the buckle but was unable. I had to exit the freeway and park on the side of the road. When I tried to reattach the buckle, I saw why there was a problem: He had inserted the buckle into the CENTER receptacle, not the passenger-side one. The receptacle didn't click, as it was probably designed not to do, but because the metal of the buckle has a slight angle to it, there was enough tension for it to temporarily hold. However even a minor accident could have been fatal because my son wasn't property strapped in. There are several issues here. First, the dash indicator should have been designed to tell me that there was weight on the right rear seat but no buckle was attached to that receptacle. Second, the center receptacle did not immediately reject the right-most buckle; instead, the bent angle of the buckle's metal temporarily held it in place and made my 10 year-old believe he was strapped in. Finally, the receptacles themselves have no play from side-to-side. This, plus the angle of the buckle's metal, means that when a booster seat is installed, there is not enough room to fully attach the buckle into the receptacle without exerting a LOT of force to push the receptacle to the left. I can't imagine the buckle can be attached at all with a larger child seat. The image I attached shows why this is; attaching a car seat requires exerting enough force to bend the metal holding the receptacle in order to attach the buckle.

01/18/2022
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 01/18/2022
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1FMCU9H65MU******
Summary

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V922000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) 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 manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

01/13/2022
Components: SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Incident Date: 12/30/2021
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1FMCU9H69MU******
Summary

My daughter was coasting and the person in front of her slammed on their brakes causing her to slam on hers. Her collision warning did not go off until after she hit the car in front of her so she had didn't have enough time to stop. We pulled off into a parking lot and called the police to inspect the cars. Two weeks later there was a recall on the back brake pads. She ended up getting a ticket for impeding traffic which ended up costing $150.00 plus $5.50 for fees. I also have damage to the grille and bumper on my car that needs to get fixed.

01/12/2022
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/08/2022
Crash: No
Fire: Yes
Vehicle Identification Number: 1fmcu9g68mu******
Summary

While driving on the interstate a fire started under the hood and shortly after smoke entered the driver cabin. Luckily I was able to pull over and get out of the vehicle before the fire reached the driver cabin. It is going to be investigated by a company hired by AAA, the appraiser from the insurance company was not able to find a cause due to the fire damage being too bad. The first warning message was engine coolant overtemperature and a couple of others followed.

01/10/2022
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 01/07/2022
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1FMCU0G62MU******
Summary

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V922000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) 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 manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

01/03/2022
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 12/10/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1FMCU0CZ1MU******
Summary

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.

12/28/2021
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 05/01/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1FMCU0G62MU******
Summary

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving in reverse, a loud grinding sound was present while depressing the brake pedal. The contact indicated that the failure mainly occurred after the vehicle was not used for an overnight period. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the brake rotors, but the sound continued to occur. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,000.

12/17/2021
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 12/11/2021
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1FMCU9J96MU******
Summary

Wife was driving vehicle. Came to intersection at end of our street. Applied brakes. Brakes did not work. Went through intersection crashed into tree. Injured, taken to hospital, vehicle towed, police report made. Vehicle is available for inspection. Would like to have vehicle inspected! Not yet inspected by anyone. No warning of problem. Vehicle has about 250 miles on it. Just leased on Dec 2, 2021.

12/13/2021
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 12/11/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1fmcu0dz3mu******
Summary

Stopped at a red light on 3 lane highway, in middle lane. When light turned green, I tried to accelerate as usual, but the car (hybrid) would not go. Message on dashboard was "STOP SAFELY NOW". Car was coasting about 5 MPH. I was able to get barely off the road. I could turn the car on/off but could not get out of park and continued to receive this message. This vehicle is new, purchased less than a month ago now has 140 miles. Had to be towed to dealership. SInce this occurred I have found a recall on a few other Escape Hybrids with the same issue. REcall 21S31. The diagnostics of the car indicate same situation occurred on 11/29 but must have self-corrected.

12/12/2021
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 12/11/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1fmcu0dz3mu******
Summary

Stopped in the middle of three lanes at a red light, when light turned green car, which is a hybrid did not power back up. I could not accelerate. Message on dashboard was STOP NOW with red triangle symbol. I was on a State highway in heavy traffic. 55 mph speed limit. Going about 8 mph with flashers on I eventually got to right side of road. Car was then locked into park. , would start but immediately received same message. Vehicle has 130 miles on it. Was towed to dealer.

12/06/2021
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 04/01/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1fmcu0g66mu******
Summary

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse, an abnormally loud humming noise would emit from the vehicle upon depression of the brake pedal without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on numerous occasions and on the latest visit, she had the brake pads replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.

11/18/2021
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 09/20/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1FMCU9G64MU******
Summary

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle began vibrating and the contact heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to local dealer and was informed that there was no remedy for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 700.

11/05/2021
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 10/08/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1fmcu9h6xmu******
Summary

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, her foot would repeatedly slip off the accelerator pedal and go underneath the brake pedal. The contact stated that this could lead to a potential failure while driving at high speeds. The contact also noted that the accelerator pedal was too small for normal operation. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where they acknowledged a potential failure with the small accelerator pedal and the contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified, and the contact was given a claim number. She was then referred to NHTSA for further assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 0.

07/27/2021
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/16/2021
Crash: No
Fire: Yes
Vehicle Identification Number: 1fmcu9g68mu******
Summary

Vehicle was being driven down the road. Vehicle stalled. Check engine light came on. Attempted to restart vehicle but vehicle stalled again. Smelled fuel. Heard a boom then fire ignited. Fire came from the underside of vehicle and flames were rising on driver side of vehicle with black smoke. Attempted to exit vehicle from driver side door but was unable to do so due to flames. Crawled over to passenger side of vehicle and exited the vehicle. Fire department extinguished the fire with water. Fire reignited and fire department extinguished fire again. Insurance company inspected the vehicle but was unable to determine root cause of fire.

07/20/2021
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 07/20/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1Fmcu9h62mu******
Summary

The transmission automatically went into park in the middle of an intersection and was inoperable from that time and had to be towed from the intersection.

07/19/2021
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 06/21/2021
Crash: No
Fire: Yes
Vehicle Identification Number: 1FMCU0G60MU******
Summary

The contact’s daughter owned a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an unknown speed, the coolant warning light illuminated. As the contact's daughter began to pull over, she began to lose control of the vehicle as a black smoke started coming from the engine. The vehicle caught on fire once the contact's daughter had exited the vehicle. The fire department arrived at the scene and was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed. There was no injury reported. Due to the failure, the vehicle was initially towed to a tow yard however, the current location of the vehicle was unknown. The contact's daughter notified the dealer of the failure and a week later and she was informed that an investigation would be started. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was unknown.

06/23/2021
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 06/17/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1fmcu0lz7mu******
Summary

2021 Ford Escape PHEV Power Liftgate. First three weeks (320 miles) of ownership the power liftgate opened or closed spontaneously 5-6. On each occasion the engine/electric was off, the car was in park and the parking brake on. While still in the cabin the liftgate opened spontaneously opened. On three occasions the liftgate closed spontaneously. My foot was not near the foot-activated mechanism. On the last occasion, I was unloading 50# bags from the cargo area and the gate came down, no injury. On one occasion the liftgate opened and hit the control arm of my garage door creasing the sheet metal and causing $900.00 of damage. The car has been examined by the dealer, the problem did not duplicate due to its random nature. No repair and no advice. Ford notified and case number started.

06/02/2021
Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 06/02/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1FMCU0BZ9MU******
Summary

High Voltage battery warning occurs and gives possibility of shutting the car down

3 Recalls

for 2021 FORD ESCAPE
10/08/2021
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V625000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Campaign Number: 21V625000
Manufacture: Ford Motor Company
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE
Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles. The fuel delivery module may leak inside the fuel tank, causing low fuel pressure which could result in an engine stall.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

10/11/2021
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V869000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Campaign Number: 21V869000
Manufacture: Ford Motor Company
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
Summary

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

23/11/2021
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V922000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
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.
Campaign Number: 21V922000
Manufacture: Ford Motor Company
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Summary

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."

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

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