2021 Ford Escape Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 50about this part
- Share
- 14%of 352 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 50 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Ford Escape, 14% of the 352 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2021 escape purchased on 10/12/21. By the end of October my vehicle began stalling while driving. The transmission was unable to change gears when the vehicle was accelerating or decelerating. While making a right turn my vehicle almost stalled out in front of the oncoming traffic but at the last minute the car accelerated. Next the vehicle started jerking when placed in reverse. When put in reverse a loud grinding sound and jolting / jumping would occur. The jolt and noise sounded and felt like someone had rear ended the vehicle the moment it was placed in reverse. …”
NHTSA complaint #11527147, filed 2023-06, 2,965 miles“since I have owned this SUV the break has been bad I have taken it in with no help from ford now the weld on my drive side door has broken away from the frame. ford has told me that there nothing they can do about it, and I have to pay for the repairs. i have had the car for 2 1/2 years and i have read on line that this has happen to a lot of people”
NHTSA complaint #11522699, filed 2023-05“Brake recall still not resolved. Going on 3 years since caliper issues with brake lining and ford refuses to fix the issue. I have been to the dealership twice. The recall is “repaired” but no changes. Horrible screeching sound when reversing and it is affecting my rotors.”
NHTSA complaint #11606368, filed 2024-08“My time time has almost caused me to pass various stop signs and red lights as well as rear end vehicles in front of me who stop abruptly due to increase traffic in my area for summer. The brakes also squeak terribly. I need this repaired ASAP before I cause an accident and Ford still has yet to provide the parts to complete the repairs and this is my only vehicle. I have had the vehicle less then a year”
NHTSA complaint #11474315, filed 2022-07“There was a brake recall on my vehicle last year. Which was supposedly repaired. I was still having issues with the brakes so I took it to the dealership for a secondary repair. They flat out told me it would not fix the problem and goes is working on it. But according to their records. The recall has been fixed. And it has not been. I have attempted repairs through the dealership twice. And my brakes are still not working properly.”
NHTSA complaint #11510403, filed 2023-03Related recalls
- 21V922000Nov 23, 2021Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco Sport and Escape vehicles. The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly…Covers: Ford Escape 2021–2022, Bronco Sport 2021–2022
Related service bulletins
- 10244711Oct 10, 2023Some 2020-2023 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles may exhibit a moan noise when the vehicle is driven in reverse (R) in cold weather and/or high humidity. This may be due…
- 10243535Sep 14, 2023Some 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2022 Corsair vehicles may exhibit a condition where the brake service mode is inoperative using the Workshop Manual (WSM) routine and/or Parking…
- 10232477Feb 21, 2023Some 2020-2021 Escape/Bronco Sport/Explorer and 2020-2021 Corsair/Aviator vehicles equipped with electric brake booster (EBB) built on or before 1-Aug-2022 may exhibit an…
- 10232491Feb 8, 2023Some 2020-2022 Escape vehicles built on 1-Nov-2020 and through 29-Aug-2022 and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles built on or before 23-Sep-2022 may exhibit a moan noise when the…
- 10228876Dec 16, 2022Some Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the…
- 10226753Nov 7, 2022Some 2020-2022 Escape/Corsair vehicles built on or before 17-May-2022 and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles built on or before 25-Feb-2022 may exhibit a hiss or rattle noise while…
- 10222788Oct 6, 2022Some Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the…
- 10201034Aug 25, 2021Some 2013-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 4% |
| 2024 | 3 | 4% |
| 2023 | 4 | 4% |
| 2022 | 34 | 14% |
| 2021 | 50 | 14% |
| 2020 | 45 | 3% |
| 2019 | 10 | 2% |
| 2018 | 27 | 1% |
| 2017 | 50 | 2% |
| 2016 | 21 | 2% |
| 2015 | 26 | 2% |
| 2014 | 38 | 2% |
| 2013 | 72 | 3% |
| 2012 | 21 | 3% |
| 2011 | 26 | 2% |
| 2010 | 50 | 2% |
| 2009 | 108 | 6% |
| 2008 | 140 | 7% |
| 2007 | 48 | 19% |
| 2006 | 68 | 15% |
| 2005 | 66 | 5% |
| 2004 | 32 | 6% |
| 2003 | 57 | 10% |
| 2002 | 195 | 19% |
| 2001 | 163 | 16% |
Other parts of the 2021 Ford Escape
92 complaintsFuel system
75 complaintsOther or unknown
59 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
46 complaintsEngine
44 complaintsElectrical system
34 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
26 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
11 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsForward collision avoidance
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Ford Escape
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology