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GREEN CHOICE
The 2021 Escape Hybrid is much less reliable than other cars from the same model year.
The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.
Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.
"CSP from Ford about front door latches. Repaired by Ford"
Anonymous A., GA (2021 Ford Escape Hybrid Hybrid SE 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)"Back hatch opens when you shut the passenger rear door"
Anonymous A., MI (2021 Ford Escape Hybrid Hybrid Titanium 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)Electric/hybrid battery pack failure, replacement or malfunction, or cooling.
"The battery kept needed to be jumped and then we realized that it needed to be replaced after multiple tries at just jumping it."
Anonymous, IL (2021 Ford Escape Hybrid Hybrid Titanium 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)""dash light went on without me knowing what it was AND the text warning was too cryptic to interpret without the manual. Car battery did not work when in grocery store parking lot on Saturday of a long weekend, and had to have car towed to dealership 200m away...battery had to be replaced and had to work out a loaner vehicle (for work) until battery could be replaced on Tuesday.""
Anonymous, BC (2021 Ford Escape Hybrid Hybrid Titanium 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.
"My car just would not start one day, even the doors and the hatchback would not open. I watched a YouTube video and learned how to change out the battery that was stored under the donut tire in the hatchback because I was unable to open the hatchback, I had to do it all from the interior of the car, which was difficult. Overall, the entire experience was about four hours, including running down the street to get a new battery. the car started up perfectly afterwards. The cost to me was just the cost of the battery. Otherwise the car has been a good vehicle."
Anonymous A., TX (2021 Ford Escape Hybrid Hybrid Titanium 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)""In March 2025, while driving the 2021 Escape on a long round trip from Alabama to Oklahoma and back to Alabama, the Escape flashed intermittent warning signs to the console of power steering malfunction. I continued to drive the vehicle, completed the trip to Oklahoma and back home. When back in Alabama, I scheduled a repair appointment with local Ford dealer. The morning of the repair, when I went to drive to the dealer, the car would not come out of park. I waited an hour or so and tried again. This time the car shifted into drive and I drove to the dealer for repairs. The dealer determined that the battery had gone bad and was the source of the power steering warning light and the failure to shift into drive. I paid for a new battery ($180), battery anti-corrosion pad ($15), plus labor ($38), and taxes ($18) = $251 to repair the problem. That was 6 weeks ago, and I have not had any problems since.""
Anonymous, AL (2021 Ford Escape Hybrid Hybrid Titanium 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.
"DTC P2450. Dealership ran SSM 53982 protocol which tested normal. On the way home from the dealership DTC P2450 reappeared. Returned immediately to dealership, retested, diagnosed as failed canister purge valve."
Anonymous, ON (2021 Ford Escape Hybrid Hybrid Titanium 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display.
"Updates disturbed pre-set selections and radio was out for several days."
Anonymous, FL (2021 Ford Escape Hybrid Hybrid SE 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)Windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect.
"The solenoid on the rear driver-side window stopped working. The window rolled down but would not roll up. Required replacement of the solenoid (under fleet/lease warranty)"
Anonymous, FL (2021 Ford Escape Hybrid Hybrid SE 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.
"Drivers sun visor/retention clip squeaks (drive with sun visor removed from clip to minimize noise). Plastic shroud covering the camera (upper centre windshield) rattles. Started around 12-15,000 km, has been worsening slowly since, unresolved."
Anonymous, ON (2021 Ford Escape Hybrid Hybrid Titanium 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)Gear selector and linkage, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission, leaks.
""In hot weather, heat selector was inoperative, stranding the vehicle. Problem resolved (possibly by recall).""
Anonymous, NM (2021 Ford Escape Hybrid Hybrid SE 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.
Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.
Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.
Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive components, driveline vibration, electrical failure, traction control, electronic stability control.
Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, premature clutch replacement.
Alternator, starter, hybrid battery replacement, hybrid battery related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, spark plugs and wires failure, auto stop/start.
AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.
Radiator, cooling fan, water pump, thermostat, antifreeze leaks, overheating.
Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.
Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt.
Electric drive failure, replacement or malfunction.
""The foot sensor for the rear tailgate opening is overly sensitive, and not able to be deactivated without deactivating the electric hatch assist. This has resulted in frequent miss-openings (especially when installing a bike rack, but also occasionally for no apparent reason, when we are away from the car). On occasion, there is the opposite problem, when the sensor wont work when we are clearly moving our feet underneath. The unintended openings have bumped the tailgate against the bike rack, and unintentional closings have often resulted in bumped heads (one time serious).""
Anonymous, NC (2021 Ford Escape Hybrid Hybrid Titanium 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)