What 325 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Escape Gas

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.

NHTSA ODI 11657336

Door welds were recalled and doors to replace have been on back order for months. My drivers side window now does not properly go up and down. Door pops when opened or closed and will not stay open if needed. My drivers side window also now has a scratch. I’m tired of waiting for a repair and still having to pay for a vehicle that is falling apart and nothing being done about it.

NHTSA ODI 11654797

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond as needed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer transferred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 73,925.

NHTSA ODI 11654063

The contact called on behalf of his wife who owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the temperature was cold the seat belt buckled and remained in place as needed; however, during hot temperatures the seat belt was difficult to unbuckle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the seat belt was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI 11653873

Problem Description Component/System Failed: The driver-side front door has been inoperable since April 2024, unable to open or close, linked to Ford’s Customer Satisfaction Program 23B56 (faulty door welds/hinges). Vehicle is available for inspection. Safety Risk: I must climb over the passenger seat to enter/exit, risking injury, especially in emergencies. My disabled veteran father, who shares the car, cannot drive it due to inaccessibility, severely limiting his mobility. An inoperable door could delay evacuation, endangering us both. Confirmed by Dealer: Empire Ford, New Bedford, MA, confirmed the issue in October 2024, tying it to 23B56. They quoted 2-3 weeks for parts but haven’t repaired it as of April 10, 2025. Inspections: Only Empire Ford inspected it in October 2024. They admitted to marking the work order as done without repairs, restarting the process. No other inspections by Ford, police, or insurers occurred. Symptoms/Warnings: No warning lights or messages. Around April 2024, the door became hard to open/close, then failed completely, remaining stuck closed. No prior noises or partial issues noted. Details: In October 2024, I took my Escape to Empire Ford for the 23B56 repair. They said parts would take 2-3 weeks. After months without updates, I learned they falsely marked the job complete, forcing a restart. Six months later, the door is still broken, and they only say parts are “ordered,” offering no timeline. This aligns with NHTSA’s PE23013 investigation into Escape door welds. The delay makes the car unsafe and unusable for my father. I request NHTSA’s help to push Ford for a prompt fix or loaner vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11653968

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.

NHTSA ODI 11652947

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11651237

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.

NHTSA ODI 11651219

Front driver door welds not holding and causing door to not shut properly.

NHTSA ODI 11650882

I was driving my 2021 Ford Escape, that I have not yet owned for four years, that I purchased brand new from a Ford dealership. I was driving to work just as I do on a typical morning at interstate speeds, when suddenly, the car refused to upshift, slipping gears. The car became jerky. I tried to accelerate back up to speed. The car was not moving and the RPM reading shot into the red. I see a large vehicle approaching me, and I begin to feel terror that I could become the victim of a car crash, due to a faulty Ford transmission! This moment was psychologically damaging, as I feared for my life. Eventually, the car regained speed slowly and I continued on my way. Then, at stoplights, the car continued to jerk and shift gears. Once I reached my destination, the car slammed into park, throwing me toward the steering wheel. My husband towed my car home. It has been taken to a local dealership where I received a quote for a new transmission and an oil leak repair, totaling over $11,000. This car at trade-in value is worth a similar amount. The transmission fluid was tested and found to be burnt and containing traces of metal in the fluid. The dealership has been helpful in diagnosing the repair. But from Ford, this low-standard is unacceptable. I could have been killed, injured, and caused harm to others due to this faulty transmission. I have reason to believe based on a class action lawsuit that took place in March of 2024, Ford knowingly placed faulty parts and transmissions into Ford Escape models that were produced from 2009-2021. I have called Ford corporate. They offered little to no empathy, offering a small amount of assistance, which was highly disappointing.

NHTSA ODI 11648095

Schedule repair maintenance with Spirit Ford Dundee MI on my 2021 Ford Escape on 1/16/2024 for water leaking in the spare tire compartment which created moisture to collect on interior windows and smell like mold. Spirit Ford said that it was leaking from the rear light and that was replaced. We drove the car as it was fixed and never had a reason to look back in the spare tire compartment as we thought it was fix. Last week [XXX] when the weather was started warming for a day after having snow/rainy days we noticed the car smelling again and looked in spare tire compartment to find that was full of water all the way to the top. So apparently the issue was never fixed correctly. Schedule an appointment for repair maintenance on the vehicle 03/10/2025 for issue again. As of 4pm on 3/10/25 the car had not been looked at. I received a call around 5pm and was told that they ran it through the water testing and did not see anything leaking. On 03/11/2025 around 1:30pm my husband informed that the vehicle repair is now out of warranty and will not be covered and would cost $729 to replace the lift gate seal. I asked why the repair was not covered as it was never repaired correctly the first time when vehicle repair was under warranty and was told well, they replaced the light. But that 1st repair did not fix the water issue now we as the consumer is responsible for the repair when it should have been fixed correctly the first time. If the issue was never fixed the 1st time, how am I to trust them again to fix it for the $729 that I shouldn't have to pay as I stated before should have been fixed. But let's not forget Ron basically blamed us for driving it since last repair and implying that is why the water was leaking in the same place. We had to pay for a diagnostic fee of $165 to tell us that it could be the seal. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11647794

There is an open recall that is unrepaired on the door but my problem is same as thousands of customers reporting a fuel issue to Ford. I spoke to Ford and the case manager agreed that it's so many customers calling on the Ford Escape fuel consumption issue and there should be a recall issued to fix whatever is causing it. My car had 13,000 miles on it used and I just made my second car payment. I began that week noticing something is not right. I hear a ticking at times in the engine, My MPG number on dashboard is rapidly flipping between random numbers from 99.9 MPG, down to 10 MPG and then 75 MPG and then 6 MPG and ect. I filled up and should have had 249 miles till empty and I got 147 miles before filling up again. Ford has recalls on 2021 Ford escapes for high pressured fuel injectors but only a customer satisfaction on my VIN. Now Ford said a code that alerts them my heating element is throwing a code, my USB charging ports are now throwing a code and stopped working. This is not normal. Why is this 2021 not recalled to replace injectors or whatever is the problem but other 2021 escapes are. Recall this before it breaks down and people owe like 20,000 left and no car. Thank you so much for your time and consideration. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11645889

2021 Ford Escape 1.5L 19,502 miles Coolant loss with no visible leaks

NHTSA ODI 11643209

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the front driver's side door. The door failed to stay ajar when needed. Additionally, the contact stated that the door swung open unexpectedly while parked on an angle. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the door needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11642758

The sunroof headliner will not retract and sags down into the rear view, making it difficult to see out the back of the car.

NHTSA ODI 11641410

1. The Sunroof/Moonroof overhead fabric lining fell off the tracks when moving back, yes. 2. My safety was put at risk from the lining falling off the tracks and nearly completely covering my eyes and face while driving, which also puts the safety of others at risk. 3. I have heard numerous people and Ford Technicians noting that this is a common issue of the sunroof/moonroofs with other similar models. 4. It was completely inspected before financing at a dealership. 5. No prior symptoms or lights, I just tried to use my moonroof while driving on the highway a week ago and was nearly blinded

NHTSA ODI 11641126

The left front door stopper makes an abnormal sound, a popping noise when the door comes open.

NHTSA ODI 11640023

Over the past 4 months the powertrain malfunction light has illuminated 4 times on random occasions. The first time it came on while I was driving home from shopping. I did not notice the light until I stalled in the intersection trying to get on to the interstate. Stopped at the Ford dealership and insisted they scan it while the light was on. They refused and kept it for 2 days to tell me there was nothing wrong. Two weeks later, I was again traveling at an average speed. The light illuminated. Stopped at Advanced Auto Parts as it was late evening and Ford was closed. They could not pull a code with the light on stating it could be electrical. Towed the car home on a trailer from 45 minutes away. Upon inspection we discovered the coolant was low, added coolant and light went away. No issues for 3 months after that. The third time it came on I was accelerating on to the interstate. The engine was still pretty cold. The car went into limp mode and struggled to accelerate to highway speed. I parked the car and the light went away after sitting for a few hours. I thought it could be the oil was low or dirty. Took vehicle for oil change at Ford and they could see the light triggering but no code. Light did not come back for about 3 weeks. Fourth time I was driving at an average speed. Light came on and I was able to take vehicle directly to Ford again. Ford scanned the car while running with the light on and got a code for throttle/pedal sensor issues. The throttle position sensor was changed in July 2023. The car is currently at Ford awaiting a diagnosis and replacement of the issue. The powertrain light illuminating is a repeated issue with this vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11638578

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)

NHTSA ODI 11638579

My vehicle failed inspection due to a failed emissions test due to the on-board diagnostic not being able to communicate. I was unaware of this issue prior to the inspection. When I brought my car to the dealership, they said the gateway module needed to be updated in order to respond to the emissions test. There is a customer satisfaction program (22N15) that I believe my car should be covered under as I am experiencing the exact same issue listed in the program. My vin is not attached as of now but wanted to make you aware of the issue I am having.

NHTSA ODI 11637729

On [XXX] while driving north on [XXX] from Corpus Christi, TX to San Antonio, TX our 2021 Ford Escape started to become difficult to accelerate and as we pressed on the pedal to accelerate the vehicle didn't not go any faster it began to reach a slow speed of about 35-30mph on a highway with vehicles going over 70mph, with no other choice but to pull over to the side of the road to avoid crashing into on coming traffic we proceeded to steer the vehicle towards Exit 36 into the city of Mathis, TX at which point the vehicle entered a forced neutral condition and then automatically shifted into “Park”, at which point a warning light that looks like a wrench came on, along with multiple warning messages in the instrument panel cluster we heard an audible chime. After shifting back into Drive the vehicle went limp and had limited torque slowing down to speeds lower than 30mph it then came to an abrupt stop and refused to go into gear, as we noticed the vehicle's engine seems to shut off it seemed to suddenly enter into a neutral state and began to move slower than 30mph and we steered the vehicle into a nearby gas station, thankfully barely making it into the rest stop before the vehicle locked into an emergency brake position and wouldn't allow us to return it to drive or out of any gear other than neutral. In neutral it would move a few feet then return to an emergency braking position with all four tires locked and the emergency brake light coming on and refusing to go off even when we diseganged the emergency brake, rendering the vehicle immobile. We were lucky to be able to make it off the freeway without having anyone crash into us with vehicles passing us at speeds greater than 70mph and our vehicle dropping to lower than 30mph and locking into a neutral position, thankfully we were able to make it to the nearest exit and call for help. After numerous failed attempts to return the vehicle back into drive, not being able to do anything w INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11636433

I have had a problem with a loud moaning noise from the brakes when placing the car in reverse. I have reported this and had my car into the Ford dealer on the following occasions: December 28, 2022, November 24, 2023, March 5, 2024, June 6, 2024 and October 16, 2024 The dealer is Tasca Ford at 900 Central Park Ave in Yonkers, N.Y 914-377-8100. I was advised that SSM 52515 was issued by Ford but that they have no solution for this problem. I also see TSB23-2308 referenced on my service receipts. I cannot believe that Ford has no solution for this problem that they have known about for at least two years. I have escalated this to Ford Corporate on November 19, 2024 and have received no response from their main office.

NHTSA ODI 11634055

My driver side door began making popping noise and it has been discovered the weld has broken.

NHTSA ODI 11633664

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while reversing, there was a loud screeching sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who performed an unstated service on the vehicle, but the failure persisted. No further information was available. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed of an Extended Service Warranty however, the vehicle was not included. The failure mileage was 1,500.

NHTSA ODI 11633170

The check arm on my ford escape broke off at the welding attachment point which lead to me having to drive down the road for 10 miles with my door ajar in order to get home It started making a popping noise a few days ago then I opened my door tonight and it completely broke off

NHTSA ODI 11632914