2021 Ford Escape Owner Complaints

Need transmission replacement. Only had car for 2 1/2 years.

NHTSA ID

11756242

Incident

Aug 11, 2026

When there is a seat belt fault, it disables the airbags from going off, even though the seat belts are all engaged

NHTSA ID

11756227

Incident

Aug 10, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the vehicle turned off, the exterior and interior lights failed to turn off as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.

NHTSA ID

11754688

Incident

Aug 1, 2026

Mileage

19,000 mi

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) and 26V117000 (VISIBILITY); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID

11753814

Incident

Jul 30, 2026

My car began to shake significantly when going over 60 mph on the highway. I had to drive under the speed limit. When I had the car checked, they said the shocks had been leaking and it impacted the alignment, causing my tires to become “wavy” and unsafe to drive. I had to get a set of 4 new tires, but could not afford the shocks during that visit. By the time I could afford the shocks a few months later, the new set of tires were ruined as well and I needed 4 new tires again. After some research, I see I am not the only one who had this issue with this model vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11753473

Incident

Dec 22, 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID

11752308

Incident

Jul 11, 2025

Complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) I am filing this complaint regarding an unresolved safety recall on my vehicle. This recall has remained open for more than one year, yet no remedy has been made available. Despite the manufacturer acknowledging the safety defect, I continue to operate a vehicle that presents significant safety concerns because the defect has not been corrected. The recall has caused my vehicle to experience severe drivability issues, including engine failure, excessive rough idling, and violent shaking while the vehicle is operating. These conditions create an increased risk of the vehicle stalling unexpectedly, reducing my ability to safely operate the vehicle and placing myself, my passengers, and other motorists at risk. Additionally, because of the unresolved recall condition, my vehicle is unable to pass the required state safety inspection. This has left me with a vehicle that I cannot fully utilize or register while I continue waiting for the manufacturer to provide a repair. It is unreasonable for consumers to wait more than a year for a safety recall remedy while continuing to experience hazardous operating conditions. I respectfully request that the NHTSA investigate the manufacturer’s failure to provide a timely remedy, determine whether it is complying with its obligations under federal motor vehicle safety laws, and take appropriate action to ensure affected owners receive a prompt repair or other appropriate relief. I have retained documentation regarding the recall, the symptoms affecting my vehicle, and the impact this unresolved defect has had on my ability to safely operate and maintain the vehicle. I am prepared to provide this information upon request.

NHTSA ID

11751782

Incident

Jul 21, 2026

My car was at only 55,000 miles, there was a weird shuddering and my RPMs were very jumpy. It almost felt like my car was going to stall out. I took it in to the ford dealership and I had to get my Torque Converter replaced. I had no dash lights on or any other problems. I got it replaced, but my car still feels shaky while at low speeds. Apparently it’s a very common problem in this car.

NHTSA ID

11750142

Incident

May 25, 2026

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID

11749333

Incident

May 5, 2026

This car is constantly sputtering and when you give it gas to take of, it sputters as if it is going to stall. This poses a safety concern when you are giving the car gas and it is not properly accelerating. I was almost hit several times now. The check engine light is on, the wrench is illuminated and I keep getting an AWD/power train message, as well as a battery saving mode message. Then soon after this started, all the audio in the sound system is gone.

NHTSA ID

11748977

Incident

May 31, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received recall notifications for NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the parts required to complete the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact called the local dealer and left a voicemail message, but the contact had not received a return call. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID

11748809

Incident

Mar 1, 2026

On XXX, the 8F35 transmission in my 2021 Ford Escape experienced a critical failure, characterized by severe slipping and a violent shuddering condition while operating at speed. This sudden loss of predictable power and drivetrain stability directly compromised my ability to safely operate the vehicle in traffic, creating an immediate highway safety hazard for myself and others. The vehicle was towed to an independent service center, Brownie’s Independent Transmission Shops ([XXX]), where technicians inspected the vehicle and confirmed a total internal failure along with a defective torque converter. Resolving this manufacturing defect required a complete transmission replacement and overhaul. The repair required a total out-of-pocket expense of $8,275.77 (with $8,236.97 directly tied to the transmission failure defect). I paid this balance in full across two installments: a $3,500.00 down payment on XXX, and a final balance of $4,775.77 on XXX. Prior to the sudden failure on XXX, there were no preceding dashboard warning lamps or long-term symptoms—the severe shuddering and loss of acceleration occurred abruptly. Ford Motor Company is internally aware of this defect, having issued Special Service Message (SSM) 54939, which explicitly documents a known "shudder condition" occurring within the 8F35 transmission spanning 2020–2026 Ford Escapes. Despite this awareness, Ford has failed to issue a safety recall. I have uploaded the complete itemized diagnostic notes and proof of payment receipts under the file name "Transmission Invoice and Receipts.pdf INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11748373

Incident

Jan 8, 2026

This vehicle has had transmission slipping issues since I bought it. I had the PCM flashed and reset but it still jerks and slips out of gear ALL the time. The car actually stalled on me while turning through an intersection. This almost cause me to be t boned via a car crash. The transmission has already been replaced and still malfunctions. When it stalled there were no lights and the car would not go into neutral unless you pulled the emergency latch for it. This is a HUGE safety issue and from what I read a lot of people are having the exact same problem. Ford is just giving me the run around and my local dealer literally acted like he didn't know what I was talking about when I mention the new service bullentin. This transmission has clearly been an issue since the vehicle was new according to service records. The fact that ford isn't reaching out to people is nuts to me. They are also saying it may be over miles for the work to be covered. I really don't understand that as the transmission was replaced with only about 75000 miles on it. That's not normal. They are not honoring any work on an item they built poorly.

NHTSA ID

11747792

Incident

May 6, 2026

The vehicle stutters on acceleration. This causes issues when at intersections or when merging into traffic. I have since replaced the torque converter that has resolved the problem.

NHTSA ID

11747600

Incident

Feb 10, 2026

Transmission shifts hard, jerking, stuttering when pushing the accelerator. Continues to go into limp mode when driving highway speeds.

NHTSA ID

11747564

Incident

Jun 30, 2026

transmission bucking jerking lurching at low speeds. dangerous in stop and go traffic. hard 3rd gear shift. ford refused to remedy.

NHTSA ID

11747555

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

The sunroof cover has come off its tracks and has lost tension. It requires a full sunroof cover replacement. Upon searching this issue online, I found it was a common issue in Escapes around 2020-2022.

NHTSA ID

11745094

Incident

May 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention), and 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID

11744419

Incident

Jun 16, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID

11744407

Incident

Mar 25, 2026

After a couple days of rain my 12V battery died, when I went to replace it I found the removable carpet in the trunk area was saturated with water throughout and was growing mildew and what appeared to be mold. The old battery was replaced and disposed of. My safety was not at risk as the car was parked. This problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer. No components were inspected. There were no warning lamps or signals, but I did smell an odd musty order sometimes.

NHTSA ID

11743907

Incident

Jun 11, 2026

Passenger rear window would not go up, we got it fixed. We also have a second 2021 ford escape with the same problem.

NHTSA ID

11743814

Incident

Apr 11, 2026

Rear passenger window failed two different times, we have gotten it fixed. Now today the rear driver window will not go up or move.

NHTSA ID

11743812

Incident

May 6, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID

11743518

Incident

Jul 30, 2025

following up on Nov 20,2025 Manufacturer Recall Number25SC4 NHTSA Recall Number25V789 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available This recall has been out for 7 months - no remedy yet. We are not able to use our PHEV to the extgent is was designed.

NHTSA ID

11743440

Incident

Jun 10, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced difficulty starting and hesitation upon acceleration. Additionally, the check engine warning light was persistently illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11743400

Incident

Feb 1, 2026

Mileage

70,000 mi