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2021 Ford Escape Reliability & Recall Report

Based on 19 NHTSA recalls and 304 owner complaints. All data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — free, no signup required.

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This is one of the better years for the Ford Escape

The 2021 model year shows below-average complaints compared to other years of this model — a good sign for reliability.

F
10/100

Avoid This Year — 2021 Ford Escape

The 2021 Ford Escape is among the worst-performing model years for this vehicle. NHTSA data shows high complaint and recall activity. Strongly consider a different model year.

19
NHTSA Recalls
19 recalls on record
304
Owner Complaints
Filed with NHTSA
9
Crashes + Injuries
8 fire reports

Own or buying a 2021 Ford Escape?

Check your specific VIN for open recalls, market value, full specs, and a free AI buyer summary.

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NHTSA Recalls — 2021 Ford Escape (19)

All recalls listed below must be repaired by an authorized Ford dealer at no charge to the owner.

🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #21V869000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #21V625000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #21V922000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #22V149000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #22V191000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #22V484000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #22V859000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #23V380000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #24V330000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #24V852000

Showing 10 of 19 recalls. View all on NHTSA.gov →

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Most Common Problems — 2021 Ford Escape

Based on 304 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Bars show relative complaint frequency.

Structure
79
Unknown Or Other
43
Fuel System
36
Service Brakes
36
Power Train
27
Electrical System
22
Engine
21
Fuel/propulsion System
9
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Ford Escape — Complaints by Year

Spike in a year = known problem year. The 2021 model year is highlighted.

2015 1,003 complaints 2016 993 complaints 2017 2,572 complaints 2018 1,668 complaints 2019 537 complaints 2020 1,437 complaints 2021 304 complaints 2022 209 complaints 2023 89 complaints 2024 73 complaints 2025 0 complaints

⚠ Years to avoid: 2017, 2018, 2020 — These model years show significantly elevated complaint activity.

✅ Best model years: 2021, 2022, 2023 — Lowest complaint rates for this model.

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Frequently Asked Questions — 2021 Ford Escape

Is the 2021 Ford Escape reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 Ford Escape has 19 recalls and 304 owner complaints. This model year shows elevated issues — consider alternatives or a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Escape have?
The 2021 Ford Escape has 19 NHTSA recalls. Affected systems include: see recall details above. All recalls are repaired free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Escape?
The most commonly reported problems for the 2021 Ford Escape are: Structure, Unknown Or Other, Fuel System, Service Brakes. See the complaint breakdown above for full details.
Is the 2021 Ford Escape safe to buy?
The 2021 Ford Escape has some safety and reliability items to review before buying. Ensure all 19 recalls are completed at a dealer. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is strongly recommended.
What year Ford Escape should I buy?
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the best years for the Ford Escape are: 2021, 2022, 2023. These show the lowest complaint rates. Years to avoid: 2017, 2018, 2020.
Data source: All recall and complaint data is sourced directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public API. Data is cached and refreshed every 7 days. Recall and complaint counts reflect data available at the time of last cache update. For the most current recall status on a specific vehicle, enter the VIN above or visit NHTSA.gov/recalls.