What 325 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Escape Gas

Ford manufacturer and local Gurley Leep Ford Dealership failed to provide a remedy to safety recall : Manufacturer Recall Number25S76 NHTSA Recall Number25V467 in a reasonable timeframe. The local Ford dealership refused to provide a remedy, free of charge, in accordance with the NHTSA guidelines .

NHTSA ODI 11729141

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle shut off and lost electrical power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the high voltage battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V789000 (Electrical System); was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

NHTSA ODI 11729031

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.

NHTSA ODI 11728089

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention), and 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issues, and it was confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ODI 11726928

The rear speed sensor on my 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid is fused to the differential due to corrosion. The failure disables safety systems (ABS/Traction Control), and the design requires a 800 partial teardown of the drivetrain to fix a basic sensor. This is a design defect that prevents safety-critical repairs.

NHTSA ODI 11724262

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.

NHTSA ODI 11722845

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.

NHTSA ODI 11722403

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11722226

My 2021 ford escape was declared to have total Transmission Failure at 69k miles and 4 years old. This is a major safety risk as I was suddenly unable to move my car in in anyway while existing the freeway in the middle of the night with my kids in the car. Cars had to swerve and drive on the shoulder to get around my car. I then had to be pushed by a police officer through construction to a not so nearby parking lot. The car did not move at all after that, an auto shop did confirm and diagnose the issue then replace the transmission completely. All the shops I called were shocked such a new car would have transmission issues, it wasn’t even due for transmission servicing. There were NO lights or warnings on my car. The repairs cost over $6,000 on a relatively new car that was barely past warranty. Ford customer service and ford dealer did not help with getting these costs paid for or repaired.

NHTSA ODI 11721608

The second row middle seat seatbelt was extended one time and did not retract back. It is in operable and a seat we barely used, there’s no reason it should’ve stopped working. No rough play, heavy use, or use outside of occasional passenger. There’s already a past recall for a different seatbelt so there must be an issue with this one too. Car was only 4 years old, around 60 k miles or less. It has not been repaired because the ford dealer cannot get parts. It has been months of asking for updates and help on the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11721610

Car stalled soon after start up showing many faults in the system. Initially thinking it was the battery with cold weather I took it to the dealership and had them look at it/replace the battery. The next day it stalled again the exact same way. I read the codes that it was showing and it came back with P061a U1011 and U1028. Was able to get it to another dealership to look at it and they performed computer updates and resets. I picked it up from the dealership and it died again a mile down the road with the same issue. They were able to get it back to the dealership where it died on them again. They have not been able to identify the issue but are wanting me to come pick up the car. The car is unsafe to drive as it can randomly shut off in the middle of the road with no warning and not even the dealership can identify the issue after multiple attempts. This is very concerning as it is a relatively new car and still under warranty. Even though it is under warranty, they claim they can not fix the issue under warranty until they prove a failing part.

NHTSA ODI 11721622

the sunshade panotramic panel cover that sperates the two roofs seems to be falling off due to cheap two side tape which caused the whole sunshade assembly and motor to break. I took my car to the dealer yeasterday Anderson Ford based in Lincoln NE, and they cahrged $119 to diagnis and qouted me over $2000 to fix it. This is manufacturere fault that caused this to happed by using cheap, unreliable two side tape to attach panel cover!. Please address this as alot of Ford Escape owners suffer from this issue

NHTSA ODI 11721677

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.

NHTSA ODI 11721605

Vehicle is shuddering at low speeds, ford already has a tsb out for this transmission 8F35, needs to be escalated to a recall, myself and others are being quoted more money to repair than what the vehicle is worth, thus making a problem they are aware of causing cars to total themselves. needs to be on all models with this transmission.

NHTSA ODI 11719860

UNKNOWN - recall from July 2025 with the fuel injectors. There is still no remedy available. The smell of gas inside the vehicle happens each time it is driven. I don't feel this is being handled in a timely manner.

NHTSA ODI 11719932

Safety recall does not have a remedy for over 8 months.

NHTSA ODI 11718073

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.

NHTSA ODI 11717958

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle. The gasoline odor was stronger while stopped in traffic. The windows were opened to lessen the odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); and related the failure to the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.

NHTSA ODI 11716152

Sunroof cover has detached. When uncovering sunroof, panel droops and blocks rear window. This happened while driving and can pose a serious safety hazard. Component has been inspected by dealership and diagnostics include taking entire top panel apart which is quoted at 2.5k. This is a recurring problem with Ford Escape vehicles. There was no warning that this was broken, I realized while driving that it had become detached when I tried to open the sunroof and it blocked my rear window and fell on my kids sitting in the back seat.

NHTSA ODI 11715274

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 ODI 11714953

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 25V829000 (Structure); however, the parts for the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ODI 11713409

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 25V829000 (Structure). The contact called several dealers and the manufacturer several times and was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ODI 11712688

This complaint is not about the fuel injector. It is about door hinges, Customer Service Program 23B56. I have been trying to get Lithia Ford of Roseburg, OR to fix it for 10 months and they will not. The door hinge makes a loud popping noise and I am afraid it will come off soon. I received a recall notice shortly after I purchased the car from another dealer. Lithia is the only Ford dealership in our town. They are not following through with any promises they make me. The other nearest dealership is 70 miles away. I am [XXX] old and don’t feel comfortable driving that far when we have a dealership in town 10 minutes from my home. What can I do to make them fix it? I would appreciate any help you can provide me. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11712807

The car has indicated that it was getting hot, vehicle had tossed out some smoke, which raised our concerns due to the recall and there being no remedy.

NHTSA ODI 11712523

The retractable panoramic sunroof cover snapped out of it's clips while I was driving and the shade fell over my head. After reading about this online, numerous consumers have had this exact problem.

NHTSA ODI 11711675