The Lemon Index2021 Ford Escape.
The 2021 Ford Escape is worse than average by owner complaints: 291 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 192, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about body structure, it has 20 recalls, and it gets 26 to 41 mpg combined. The best Ford Escape year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 495 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford Escape year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 12K to 57K miles on the car (100 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 22K–50K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 9K–51K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 40K–90K miles
Recalls 20
- back over prevention 2026
The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
- visibility 2026
The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.
- body structure 2025
The liftgate hinge covers may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.
Show all 20 recalls
- equipment 2025
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
- fuel system, gasoline 2025
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
- back over prevention 2025
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
- engine 2025
In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine comp…
- fuel system, gasoline 2025
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
- electrical 2024
A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
- equipment 2024
The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard.
- transmission & drivetrain 2024
The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.
- engine 2023
In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine comp…
- fuel system, gasoline 2022
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
- engine 2022
In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine comp…
- engine 2022
The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak.
- electrical 2022
The high voltage battery may fail, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.
- engine 2022
The engine crankshaft may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
- brakes 2021
The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect braking performance.
- electrical 2021
A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- fuel system, gasoline 2021
The fuel delivery module may leak inside the fuel tank, causing low fuel pressure which could result in an engine stall.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 224 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rattle noise
- Some 2019 MKC, 2019-2021 Edge/Nautilus/Escape/Ranger/Explorer, 2020-2021 Corsair, and 2021…
- Some 2019-2021 Edge/Nautilus/Transit Connect, 2020-2021 Escape/Corsair and 2021 Bronco Sport…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenHealey brothers ford / open recall sale2022
- ClosedFailed door check arm attachment point2023–2024
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Escape SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Escape SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Escape HEV SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Escape HEV SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1550–2450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.5L 3-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Driver door hinge weld broke. The door makes loud popping sound and the window will not go down.
2021 Ford Escape owner · NHTSA complaint 11543758
More owner reports
Driver door spot welds broken. Lot of noise opening door. Sounds like ready to fall off. Understand it has been reported by numerous others.
NHTSA complaint 11575129
Left door weld broke. Making a popping noise. The window will not go up or down.
NHTSA complaint 11549385
Quick answers
Is the 2021 Ford Escape reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 192; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Escape year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.
What are the most common 2021 Ford Escape problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (33%), engine (18%) and brakes (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Escape have?
20 safety recalls (latest: back over prevention). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Ford Escape get?
26 to 41 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Ford Escape safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2021 Ford Escape problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 12,500 and 57,600 miles. The middle report was at 38,100 miles, from 100 complaints.
Does the 2021 Ford Escape have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 7% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 Ford Escape cost in fuel a year?
About $1550 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Ford Escape have?
1.5L 3-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Ford Escape year is better than the 2021?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works