2021 Ford Escape Hybrid Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2021 Escape Hybrid most often describe door check arm welds breaking on the front driver's door, followed by an open recall on the 2.5L engine that owners say went unresolved for months. Electrical complaints cluster around 12-volt battery and hybrid high-voltage components, and many reports arrive between roughly 10,000 and 50,000 miles with a mix of gradual noises and sudden no-start or power-loss events.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine recall remedy unavailable for months

   • 24 complaints (19%)
   • typically at 3.2 yrs old
   • filed 2023–2026

   Many owners report receiving notice of an engine recall and being told the parts or remedy were not yet available, sometimes for close to a year. A few describe engine failure or an abnormal burning odor while driving, and one owner whose engine failed says warranty coverage was declined based on stored codes. Others question how a powertrain control module update addresses an internal engine manufacturing problem. Mostly reported in 2023 and 2024 notices, with some failures described at moderate mileage.

   Recall 22V109000

   What to check: Ask the dealer to run the VIN and confirm whether the engine recall has been completed and what the remedy was. Listen for abnormal engine noise and watch for a burning odor, and keep records of any engine-related service.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There has been a recall on the engine for this car for almost a year at this point. The original estimated date for the parts to come in to be able to fix this was October 2023. I received a new notice yesterday that a remedy is not expected until MAYBE quarter of 2024. This is the second Escape I have had with engine issues. (Previously owned a 2019 Ford Escape that the engine DID fail on). I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #11571880, filed 2024-02

   “My engine failed while driving. Towed to Ford dealership, found out about recall 23S27. Symptoms were the EXACT same but ford is refusing to cover warranty repairs because they said it did not throw the proper code. However ford has offered to cover half of the engine replacement, leaving me with a $4000 bill. Do I have any options? Is there a system of checks and balances that assures that ford is doing everything correctly on their end?”

   NHTSA complaint #11651570, filed 2025-03
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Driver's door weld failure at door check arm

   • 22 complaints (18%)
   • median 42,000 mi at 3.3 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2024

   Owners describe a clicking or popping sound when opening or closing the front driver's door, which in some reports progresses to snapping, a door that will not stay open or close properly, and a check arm detached from the door at the welds. Several report the dealer confirming broken welds or rivets and recommending replacement of the entire door, with cost to the owner. Some owners connect the symptom to an earlier NHTSA structure investigation they found referenced online. Reported mostly between about 30,000 and 71,000 miles, often after weeks of noise before the door stops working normally.

   What to check: Open and close the driver's door slowly and listen for clicks or pops, and look at the check arm bracket and welds inside the door jamb for cracks or separation. Ask whether any door repair or replacement has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driver side door hinge pops when opening and closing. Spoke to a Ford dealer and since we are now just over 36,000 miles, our warranty is out. Concerned the door will not close/open or open while in motion. Need to drive this vehicle to work everyday.”

   NHTSA complaint #11579589, filed 2024-03

   “The door check arm on the driver's side door weld broke. Before it happened, it would make a noise when closing before it broke. The dealer has confirmed it and wants to replace the whole door. I would be required to pay for it plus the painting of the door. I have found that this problem has happened before. This issue is a safety problem and should be a recall. There was no accident. This part was failing for 3 to 4 weeks. I had no clue the part was failing. The car is currently at the dealer.”

   NHTSA complaint #11544663, filed 2023-09
3. 3
   Electrical system

   12-volt battery drain and no-start

   • 8 complaints (6%)
   • median 6,930 mi at 2.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe the vehicle failing to start after sitting, requiring a jump start, or losing electrical power so that doors had to be opened with the key. In some reports the dealer replaced the 12-volt battery and advised driving the vehicle more; in others the cause was not determined. A few owners also describe illuminated warning messages about the electrical or hybrid system. Reported from very low mileage up to about 14,000 miles in many cases, sometimes after the vehicle sat unused or after short trips.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the 12-volt battery has been replaced and whether related service bulletins were applied. Check that the vehicle starts reliably from cold and after sitting, and have the battery and charging system tested.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11445900, filed 2022-01

   “The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the next morning the vehicle lost electrical power and failed to start. The contact could only open the door by using the key manually. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The failure mileage was 14,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11512814, filed 2023-03, 14,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Hybrid battery and coolant pump warnings, loss of power

   • 9 complaints (7%)
   • median 89,500 mi at 3.4 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Some owners report a check engine light with messages about the high-voltage battery or its coolant pump, and in a few cases a loss of power or a warning to stop safely. Dealers have diagnosed failed coolant pumps, high-voltage battery replacement, or reset warning lights, with parts sometimes on back order. A separate TSB covers high-voltage battery replacement on plug-in hybrid versions of this vehicle. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 129,000 miles, without one consistent mileage band.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records showing any hybrid battery or coolant pump work, and confirm that warning lights are not currently stored. A scan tool check for hybrid system codes before purchase is worthwhile.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2021 Ford Escape Titanium Hybrid with over 11,000 Miles. Received following Text Message from Ford: Service Engine Soon - The Powertrain Control System has Detected a Fault with the High Voltage Battery Coolant Pump. The Check Engine Light on the Instrument Cluster Illuminated. Could see or feel no effects on the vehicle and No Safety Messages appeared on any Displays. Worried of Overheating High Voltage Battery, which could lead to Battery Fire or Vehicle Stoppage while in Highway Traffic.”

   NHTSA complaint #11500658, filed 2023-01

   “The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the high-voltage battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer reset the check engine warning light. The contact stated that the following day after the reset, the check engine warning light illuminated a second time. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11645966, filed 2025-03, 129,000 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Gateway or communication module faults failing inspection

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe failing a state emissions or safety inspection because of an inoperable OBD port or a failed gateway/communication module, with the dealer replacing or reprogramming the module. Several owners link the repair to a customer satisfaction program and report that reimbursement was denied. Reported around 14,000 to 46,000 miles, typically discovered during an inspection rather than while driving.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Confirm the vehicle has passed a recent emissions or state inspection and that the OBD port reads normally. Ask the dealer whether the gateway module update or replacement associated with the customer satisfaction program was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was inspected, it failed the emissions inspection. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the communication module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact became aware of customer satisfaction 22n15 as a probable cause for the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11625566, filed 2024-11, 46,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact was informed at a State Inspection that the gateway module had failed and needed to be replaced to complete the State Inspection. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the module smart data link was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 22N15. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied reimbursement for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11626665, filed 2024-11, 46,000 miles

Buying note. Check the driver's door check arm and welds carefully, confirm the engine recall and any module updates were completed, and ask for records on the 12-volt and hybrid battery systems before buying this model year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.