general problems of the 2021 Ford Escape - part 1

Description of defect & safety risk: complete structural failure and collapse of the entire 3-part powertrain mounting system (right engine mount, left automatic transmission mount and rear lower engine torque strut mount). The severe defect was discovered at a mere 27,000 original miles by a certified independent technician fount the broken motor mounts during inspection, and I confirmed experiencing excessive, violent vibrations inside the vehicle cabin radiating heavily through the chassis. Total failure of these primary structural supports creates an immediate under-hood hazard. Severe engine shifting or total powertrain displacement while in motion can pinch fuel lines, sever electrical wiring harnesses, or snap cv axles. This poses an imminent risk of sudden highway propulsion loss or loss of vehicle steering control. Consumer notes that Ford TSB 20-2215 identifies an identical 3-part powertrain mount failure on this exact vehicle platform.

Engine will periodically and randomly stall and quit while driving. Mostly in city but it quit while driving on highway I-10 at 65 mph in one incident.

Coolant intrusion caused full engine to need to be replaced. Started with white smoke and engine overheating.

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.

On xxx I was driving my 2021 Ford Escape for 10 minutes before I stopped at sheetz gas station on [xxx]. I ran into the building to withdraw cash from the atm leaving my fiance and dog in the car while it sat idle. Upon exiting the building about 30 seconds to a minute later, I witnessed smoke coming up from the hood of my car. My fiance and dog quickly evacuated the car as we saw flames emerging. I ran inside to get assistance from the workers and they brought out fire extinguishers. The attempt to extinguish the flames was unsuccessful and the front of the car quickly went up. Police and fire department were called and they showed up about 10 minutes later to handle the situation. Reports from the officer, fire department and the sheetz assistant were taken. I do not have access to those. My car insurance is covering the cost of the vehicle and a 7 day car rental. They are not covering the loss of both mine and my fiance's cell phones. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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.

Windows and engines.

My Escape would not change gears and the Escape would not reverse it was also pulling back and accelerating in speed to the point I could not control it in traffic. My safety and the safety of my mother were greatly affected as the Escape was malfunctioning in traffic and I could not control the gears. The alert on the Escape came up and it stated: the powertrain control system has detected one of the transmission clutches did not apply within the expected time as expected. Some transmission gears may not being available resulting in delayed or harsh shifts into another gear. Additional alerts that may provide additional information may accompany this alert. I took it to dealership and they told me it would need a transmission over haul. Once repairs were completed I brought it back home and had to take the Escape back to the dealership because it started to pull back again and for the second time the dealership told me the Escape would need a second transmission overhaul.

Canister purge valve getting stuck open and causing a hard start.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine coolant overheated warning light illuminated. The vehicle stalled after the warning light illuminated and became inoperable. The dealer was notified of the failure; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,700.

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.

Everytime I drive the car and I don’t get no warming and I bring the car to the dealer and tell them what going on and dealer do and don’t tell me what going on. . I should be able to get another car free because they want me to keep pay thing out my pocket which I don’t have also want to let you know that [xxx] and I will like to explain more on phone [xxx] also the Ford dealership want me to trade in my car for 2,000 which my car is value7,000 because what three thing broken and they want 5600 it not right because I just have tht car right after my mother pass away and it only 2 years now information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The recall on the fuel issue was released in July 2025. This is now March 2026. Eight months should be enough time to get the parts needed for this repair. What can you do to see about getting this process accelerated? thank you.

The entire dashboard/infotainment interface will lose power suddenly. The car will struggle to start, and have an emissions or evap code, and there's a smell from the engine sometimes, that leaks into the cabin, which the cabin has bad thermoregulation, and cold air seeps in quick. Also I've driven on the highway and have had all the steering and power stop all at once! the headlights also keep getting popped or burnt out.

I believe my car to be unsafe to drive because of the possibility that it could overheat, crack and release fluids on top of the engine causing a fire. They have yet to have a remedy for this and that is deeply concerning. I fear they often have recalls because Ford is not the best car to own. There’s so many problems all the time. It’s concerning and I feel like my car is unsafe to drive often.

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.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 to 70 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light and the charging system service light were illuminated. The message "vehicle turning off to save power” was displayed. In addition, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine while the vehicle was slowing down. The contact stated that the parking brake push button failed to function as intended. The contact was unable to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to auto zone, where the battery was checked, and the battery passed the test. The tow truck driver had difficulty attempting to tow the vehicle. The vehicle failed to restart, and the auto brake turned on independently. After a while, the vehicle was towed to the contact's mother's residence. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer. The vehicle remained at the dealer pending the results of the diagnostic test. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue; however, no assistance was offered. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 25v467000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact was the second owner of the vehicle and had not received the recall notification. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

Nhtsa recall 25v467 was issued in July 2025. It has been over 3 months of constant fear for under-hood fire from possible fuel injector crack. My family's safety has been at risk long enough, this needs a permanent fix please!.

2021 Ford Escape. In January 2025 the turbo system failed and was replaced by a Ford dealer for about $5,903. 85. Around five months later the transmission required repairs for a valve body issue, totaling roughly $3,000 in August. Two months after that repair, firestone advised that the entire transmission now needs replacement. Each time the problem appeared, the vehicle showed violent slippage while upshifting and downshifting. When coming to a stop, the car would shake violently, slip forward several inches while my foot was still on the brake, and sometimes hesitate or lose power. Recently the vehicle will stop responding to acceleration, then suddenly surge forward without warning. These repeated transmission failures have created serious safety risks and appear consistent with ongoing problems involving the Ford 8f35 transmission used in the 2021 Escape.

This vehicle! it eats so much gas. Something is wrong. It makes a weird noise and puts itself into modes of sports, ice/snow, eco, slippery all by itself while I am driving. My rpms will change and car makes a different sound and it is in a different driving mode without being put in it by me. It puts itself in auto mode and shuts off at red lights and starts back up when I put on the gas and this is not a hybrid.

There are swveral issues with this model, the worst being the constant jerking/ bucking while driving. The second being the forward collision warning alerting when no vehicles are near you, it just randomly alerts. The third most annoying issue is the dashboard from time to time goes out as if no electricty is flowing throught it, ive also experinced the volume not adjusting properly at times.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of an undisclosed recall. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was an active recall and the powertrain control module needed a software update. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred approximately 5 months later. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

Vehicle is unsafe to drive. Remedy is not available, and a fire can start under the hood. I have a car that I bought that I cannot drive without the anxiety of a fire. Ford will not buyback my vehicle, and they are in breach of their warranty.

Lots of owners on facebook page 2020/2021 Ford Escape discussions talk about our transmissions fluttering when driving straight you can see rpm’s going from one to under one back in a straight road some have had the transitions go out. I took mine to Ford at 111000 miles and was told I need to pay $500 to change fluid did that and still doing it they said everything was fine but I should look into a extended warranty because they have had a lot of issues with the transition (was told that by auto nation Ford in corpus christi TX? we all even have issues with rear differential going out.

Lithia Ford is fresno worked on exhaust and replaced cat converter on September 5th 2024 for the dealer in which I purchased my vehicle. Ford did not put the support bracket that holds the exhaust and catalytic converter in place back on after the repair. I purchased the vehicle and after 1 month of driving it, the vehicle exhaust started to get really loud and began leaking exhaust fumes into the cab of the car. Car was taken to tulare Ford to be checked when the missing bracket was discovered and work history was pulled on the vehicle showing lithia’s direct connection to the exact missing part. Lithia Ford refuses to take responsibility for their failure to properly secure the exhaust and catalytic converter which directly cause the issue at hand.

Vehicle will completely cut off when stopped at lights sometimes. And I have to turn off vehicle and restart it to get vehicle going again.

When I change gears to reverse, it’s hard to put in gear and studders as well. I am not sure what the issue here is with it.

Every time I get gas my engine stalls out citing an issue with the evap system — evap purge valve. This is not safe as it stalls out directly after filling the car up. The smell of gas is very prominent leading me to believe there could be a fire hazard associated with this as well.

See attached document for complaint.

My engine has been misfiring since I purchased my vehicle from a Ford dealership in mooresville, nc. At least, I think it is misfiring. My vehicle did not pass an emissions test and I had it inspected at a Ford dealership in statesville, nc. They told me I have a transmission fluid leak. I went to a transmission specialist, and we stood under my car while he showed me that the transmission is not leaking in any way. This when I learned of the fuel injection recall. He wants to help in discerning what the problem actually is, but I need to address the recall issue first. I have to do something, as I need my car for my uber side job, but I'm being told that I have no option. Please, help. I'll provide any additional information that you may need. Thank you.

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?.

On or about [xxx] I was driving on the highway and the traffic was slowed down. Once the traffic speed picked back up I noticed the maintenance symbol light up. I could not go any faster than 50 mph. I immediately went and got and oil change. Once I paid for the service the technician told me that I had a stripped oil pan. He said that I needed to check it out. The Ford Escape drove without a problem for about 2 weeks then the check engine light came on [xxx]. I made and appointment with pep boys. The next morning 1/19 as I started the car the check engine light was on. I took the car to pep boys and parked to wait for appointment time. I turned the car off and waited for about 5 minutes and started the car back up and the check engine light did not come back on. I told the technician that my check engine light was on but now it is not. So he could not do a diagnostic on it. He told me that my oil pan would be in until the next day 1/20. 1/20/25 the next morning I took my Ford Escape to get the oil pan changed. While on the way the check engine light was still off. So as I get to the pep boys I tell them that my check engine light is back on. They did the repair for the change of the oil pan and diagnosed a dtc p3402 ( cylinders 1 deactivation/ intake valve. It was recommended for me to take my Ford Escape to the authorized dealer. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I purchased my car in September and in October my check engine light came on and a wrench light. I think could not go above 30mph.

While accelerating at a stop light I heard a thud in the hood of my car and then it started to smoke so I pulled off the road and turned off vehicle but the car caught fire and the entire front end burned.

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.