2021 Ford Escape Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (27) · Structure:body (25) · Power Train (11)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Escape Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
21 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/Mechanical 2022-02-24 · campaign 22V109000 · 155 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the crankshaft and replace the engine, as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed March 2, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S10.
Service bulletins (23)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-03-06 · SSM 54631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2020-2026 escape and 2022-2026 maverick 2.5l duratec hybrid vehicles may require various repairs on the exhaust system. this may require removal of the exhaust heat exchanger. wsm, section 309-00 exhaust system > 2.5l duratec hybrid > removal and installation > exhaust heat exchanger has been r
Electrical System 2025-05-20 · 24N19 · Other
certain 2020-2024 model year escape and 2021-2024 model year corsair plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (phev) – high voltage battery replacement
Power Train 2024-03-19 · TSB 24-2078 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this article supersedes tsb 23-2244 to add 2024 model year. some 2020-2024 escape hybrid vehicles equipped with a 2.5l (fhev) full hybrid electric vehicle powertrain and 4-wheel drive (4wd) may exhibit a grinding or rubbing noise while braking at or below 10 mph (16 km/h) from the front of the vehic
Electrical System 2024-02-01 · SSM 52229 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
2020-2023 escape/explorer, 2021-2023 f-150 and 2022-2023 maverick vehicles equipped with a full hybrid electric vehicle (fhev) powertrain may exhibit a cable connection error screen from the midtronics xrc-3363 high voltage battery rescue charger. the xrc-3363 will prompt the technician to verify th
Engine And Engine Cooling 2024-01-24 · SSM 52201 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2020-2023 escape, 2021-2023 corsair vehicles equipped with 2.5l engine full hybrid electric vehicle (fhev) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (phev) powertrain and 2022-2023 maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5l engine fhev powertrain may exhibit a condition where the 12v battery voltage is low
Hybrid Propulsion System 2023-10-27 · SSM 52024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2020-2023 escape/2021-2023 corsair equipped with 2.5l engine full hybrid electric vehicle (fhev) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (phev) powertrain and 2022-2023 maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5l engine fhev powertrain may exhibit a condition where the 12v battery voltage is low or discha
Showing the 6 most recent of 23 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-06 · Power Train“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 t…”
2026-10-06 · Wheels“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 sl…”
2026-09-08 · Power Train“on saturday at approximately 8:25 p.m., my 2021 ford escape hybrid sel abruptly entered limp mode while traveling on a major highway. the vehicle's speed rapidly dropped from approximately 60-65mph to 20 mph in heavy, high-speed (many driving over 70mph)traffic. i immediately activated my hazard lights and exited the highway at the first opportunit…”
2026-08-15 · Electrical System“the fuel door actuator malfunctioned, rendering the emergency release ineffective. this necessitated a replacement at 30,000 miles or four years from the manufacturing date. we believe that an inoperable fuel door presents a significant safety concern.…”
2026-07-30 · Vehicle Speed Control · 50,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 ford escape. the contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. the vehicle was parked on the side of the road and was later towed to the local dealer. the vehicle was serviced by the dealer. no further informa…”
2026-07-20 · Seat Belts“seatbelt locks in position on the passenger side. must stop car let seatbelt retract all the way and reattach seatbelt. dealer wanted $225 to diagnose problem if they could not find and/or duplicate issue.…”
2026-07-16 · Unknown Or Other“after picking my vehicle up from a day and a half of recall repairs, i immediately experienced a rubbing sound and a shuddering when i turned my wheels to the right and moved forward as i attempted to drive away from the parking space. there were no issues when turning the wheels to the left to back out of the parking space. i immediately pulled in…”
2026-07-15 · Structure:body“ subject: formal complaint – recall 23b56 & 23s27 + rental car reimbursement demand – mccombs ford (7111 nw loop 410) to whom it may concern, i am writing to file a formal complaint regarding the unacceptable service i experienced at mccombs ford west, located at 7111 nw loop 410, san antonio, tx, concerning two open safety recalls on my 2021 ford…”
2026-07-07 · Fuel/Propulsion System“while driving the vehicle it lost power and all the check lights came on. had to have it towed to a dealership where they stated it needed a new motor and new high voltage battery. the car has only 116000 miles on it. there should be a total recall for this type of vehicle if i would have been at a higher speed i would have injured myself or others…”
2026-06-15 · Vehicle Speed Control“while vehicle is set on cruise control , set at 70 mph , ( or set to any other speed) , anytime the speed limit changes to 80 mph (or other change) car accelerates and cruise control is set to 100 mph . it also accelerates and resets to 90 -100 mph at random . it is frightening and dangerous to have my car randomly accelerate. i have attempted to…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.