Ford Escape, representative photo
Representative model. Photo: Mr.choppers, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2021 Ford Escape recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2021 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns
21
Park-it warnings
0
Complaints
379
Latest campaign
Mar 3, 2026

Recall summary by component21

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
ComponentCampaignsLatestCampaign IDs
Electrical system4Nov 14, 2025
25V78900024V95400022V14900021V869000
Fuel system, gasoline4Jul 11, 2025
25V46700025V16500022V85900021V625000
Engine and engine cooling3Jul 7, 2022
22V48400022V19100022V109000
Back over prevention2Mar 3, 2026
26V12300025V442000
Equipment2Oct 10, 2025
25V68500024V852000
Engine2May 23, 2025
25V34500023V380000
Visibility1Mar 3, 2026
26V117000
Structure1Dec 1, 2025
25V829000
Power train1May 10, 2024
24V330000
Service brakes, hydraulic1Nov 23, 2021
21V922000

Safety recalls21

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
0Park-it warnings
0Fixable over the air
Mar 3, 2026Latest campaign
Mar 3, 202626V117000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer motor

Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 26V117000
What's wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.
Risk
Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the front wiper motors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed April 2, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S14. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.
Filed under
Escape
Campaign
NHTSA 26V117000 · Mar 3, 2026
Mar 3, 202626V123000

Back over prevention: software

An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 26V123000
What's wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C11. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.
Filed under
Escape
Campaign
NHTSA 26V123000 · Mar 3, 2026
Dec 1, 202525V829000

Structure: body hatchback/liftgate

A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 25V829000
What's wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2025 Escape vehicles. The liftgate hinge covers may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.
Risk
A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and reinstall, or replace any missing liftgate hinge covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 3, 2025.
Filed under
Escape
Campaign
NHTSA 25V829000 · Dec 1, 2025
Nov 14, 202525V789000

Electrical system: propulsion system traction battery

Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 25V789000
What's wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ford Escape and 2021-2024 Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
Risk
Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will update the battery energy control module (BECM) and hybrid powertrain control module (HPCM), free of charge. Owners are advised to only use "Auto EV" mode and will be instructed by mail to limit the maximum charge of the battery until the remedy has been completed. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC4. Vehicles in this recall were previously recalled under 24V954 and will need to have the new remedy performed. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 18, 2025.
Filed under
Escape Phev
Campaign
NHTSA 25V789000 · Nov 14, 2025
Oct 10, 202525V685000

Equipment: electrical engine block heater

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

DetailsHide details for campaign 25V685000
What's wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
Filed under
Escape
Campaign
NHTSA 25V685000 · Oct 10, 2025
Jul 11, 202525V467000

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

DetailsHide details for campaign 25V467000
What's wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will update the engine control software. In addition, dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel rail assembly and fuel injectors, free of charge. As an interim repair, dealers will update the engine control software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed August 29, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in July 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S76. This recall expands and replaces previous recall numbers 22V-859, 24V187, and 25V165. Vehicles previously remedied under 22V-859, 24V187, and 25V165 will need to have the new final remedy performed once it is available.
Filed under
Escape
Campaign
NHTSA 25V467000 · Jul 11, 2025

Merged from NHTSA model names: Escape, Escape Phev, Escape Hybrid. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Ford recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component379

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h
379Complaints filed
10Involving a crash
9Involving a fire
6Injuries reported
ComponentShareComplaints%CrashesFiresInjuries
Structure9525010
Unknown or other6116121
Engine5314251
Service brakes5214603
Power train5013101
Electrical system4412221
Fuel system4412011
Gasoline4412011
Fuel/propulsion system318130
Visibility164000
Back over prevention113000
Visibility/wiper103100
Seat belts103000
Hydraulic92101
Vehicle speed control82000

12 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names Escape, Escape Hev, Escape Hybrid, Escape Phev.

Latest reports

  • Vehicle speed control

    “The ABS system fails to engage If the vehicle is coming to a stop and there is even the slightest bump on the road.”

    Filed 10/06/2026 · ODI 11769375
  • Power train

    “within the first minute of engine start there is a high-voltage buzzing sound following with a minor smoke smell coming either from the engine bay or back of the car.”

    Filed 10/06/2026 · ODI 11769384
  • Visibility/wiper

    “Issue Date: 2026-03-05 Campaign: 26C11/26V123 On my vehicle, it may be possible to have the SYNC screen image on the center display flipped or inverted immediately after an ignition cycle.”

    Filed 10/02/2026 · ODI 11768548

Other Ford Escape model years

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Other Ford models

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2021 Ford Escape recall questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Escape have?

NHTSA lists 21 safety recall campaigns for the 2021 Ford Escape. The most recent, 26V117000 (reported March 3, 2026), concerns visibility. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2021 Ford Escape recalls for?

The largest group is electrical system, with 4 campaigns. Others: fuel system, gasoline (4), engine and engine cooling (3), back over prevention (2). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Ford Escape?

Structure is the most-reported component, named in 95 complaints out of 379 filed with NHTSA (25%). Across all complaints, owners reported 10 crashs and 9 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2021 Ford Escape?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Ford recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Ford dealer.

Check a specific Ford by VIN

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