2021 Ford Escape reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2021 Ford Escape — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 425
- 425 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- STRUCTURE:BODY
- 63 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 19
- see below
- Reported harm
- 17 reported crashes · 8 injuries · 14 fires
What owners report fails — 2021 Ford Escape
- STRUCTURE:BODY 63
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 55
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 40
- SERVICE BRAKES 39
- ENGINE 38
19 recalls on record for the 2021 Ford Escape
- NHTSA 25V829000 · 2026 · STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 26V123000 · 2026 · BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 26V117000 · 2026 · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 24V954000 · 2025 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRAC Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the r
- NHTSA 25V467000 · 2025 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYS A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2021 Ford Escape
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2021 Ford Escape units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Ford Escape reliable?
NHTSA has 425 consumer complaints on record for the 2021 Ford Escape and 19 recalls. The most-reported problem area is structure:body (63 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2021 Ford Escape units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Escape?
Owners most often report problems with: structure:body (63), unknown or other (55), fuel system, gasoline (40), service brakes (39). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2021 Ford Escape?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.