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NHTSA-Verified · Common Problems

2021 Ford Escape Hev
Common Problems

Ranked from 169 federal NHTSA complaints. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.

7
High severity
6
Medium

13 Common Problems

Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.

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  1. 1

    Spot Weld Failure on Doors

    60complaints
    High severityOther

    Spot welds on the driver's side door fail, causing the door to make loud noises and not function properly, potentially leading to the door falling off.

  2. 2

    Driver Side Door Check Arm Weld Failure

    52complaints
    High severityOther

    The check arm weld on the driver side door has fractured, leading to the door making loud popping or grinding noises and failing to close properly.

  3. 3

    Powertrain Warning Light Issues

    41complaints
    High severityTransmission

    Multiple instances of the powertrain warning light illuminating without a clear cause, leading to repeated issues and potential transmission failures.

    $100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  4. 4

    Faulty Service Brakes

    21complaints
    High severityBrakes

    The service brakes fail to release properly, causing abnormal sounds and reduced stopping power.

    $150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  5. 5

    Delayed Recall Repair Availability

    18complaints
    Medium severityOther

    Recall repairs for various issues are delayed, causing customers to wait for extended periods.

  6. 6

    Fuel System Recalls Not Addressed

    16complaints
    Medium severityFuel system

    Recall issues related to the fuel system remain unresolved, causing delays and inconvenience for customers.

  7. 7

    Structural Issues

    9complaints
    Medium severityOther

    Structural components, such as door welds and brackets, fail prematurely, leading to safety concerns.

  8. 8

    Sunroof Shade Detachment and Malfunction

    8complaints
    Medium severityOther

    The sunroof shade detaches from its tracks and malfunctions, affecting visibility and potentially causing damage if not properly retracted.

  9. 9

    Transmission Shuddering and Jerking

    8complaints
    High severityTransmission

    The transmission experiences severe shuddering and jerking, especially at low speeds and during acceleration, posing a safety risk.

    $2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  10. 10

    Engine Stall and Power Loss

    7complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine experiences sudden stalls and power loss, especially during transitions between modes, posing a safety risk.

    $150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  11. 11

    Brake system failures (rear wheel noise and brake failure)

    3complaints
    Medium severityBrakes

    Abnormal sounds from the rear wheels and brake failure during reverse have been reported, indicating potential brake system issues.

    $150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  12. 12

    Door operation issues (door check arm and door weld failures)

    2complaints
    Medium severityOther

    Driver-side door check arms and welds have failed, causing doors to pop open or close improperly and requiring immediate attention.

  13. 13

    Fire Incidents

    2complaints
    High severityFuel system

    Fuel-related issues result in fires and smoke, potentially causing severe injury and property damage.

Other years & sources

2020 Ford Escape HevAll NHTSA complaints for this vehicle →

Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.