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EnginePart report

2021 Ford Escape Engine Problems

Complaints
44about this part
Share
13%of 352 total for the year
Median mileage
79,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Ford Escape, 13% of the 352 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Front windshield is prone to crack. I have had to replace 5 windshields since I first purchased the vehicle. It is a known documented issue. Assuming aerodynamics is the issue and can cause more than the reasonable amount of cracked windshields. Valve body and transmission went out at 100,243 miles. All requested/required regular maintenance was completed.”

NHTSA complaint #11577252, filed 2024-03, 100,243 miles

“My vehicle has had a fuel injector recall since 07/2025. My car has gradually started to idle and drop rpms. It starts when the vehicle was only in park and now it is happening when I am in drive and foot is on the brake. I am not sure what to do because of the open recall with no repair options in sight almost a year later.”

NHTSA complaint #11732959, filed 2026-04

“My coolant exploded while in the middle of the road, engine stopped accelerating. Warning light turned on right as acceleration was reduced to nothing. No prior warning & temp gauge was normal it’s I lost acceleration. Had to turn on hazards to warn cars behind me as it was sudden. No warning lamps prior to the coolant leak besides the low tire pressure.”

NHTSA complaint #11615139, filed 2024-09

“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 complaint #11750142, filed 2026-07

“It has a recall 25s76 that Ford says has no solution. I called Ford, and they said it did have one, and that I should take it in. Supposedly, what they did was a software update on 05/01/2025, but nothing worked. The gasoline smell inside the car persists, with a risk of fire.”

NHTSA complaint #11714953, filed 2026-02

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025519%
20241317%
20232828%
20223314%
20214413%
20201228%
201931753%
20181,16964%
20171,58359%
201620017%
201523921%
201472735%
20131,26646%
20127312%
201124819%
201049324%
200925415%
2008834%
20072510%
20064710%
20051309%
2004316%
2003244%
2002364%
2001273%

Other parts of the 2021 Ford Escape

Body and structure
92 complaintsFuel system
75 complaintsOther or unknown
59 complaintsBrakes
50 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
46 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 27, 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