MyCarTSB

2021 Ford Escape Brakes Problems

36 owner-reported brakes complaints from NHTSA data

36
Complaints
1
Recalls
4
Crashes
Jan 2025Dec 2024
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Brakes Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #21V922000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco Sport and Escape vehicles. The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect braking performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Fix: Dealers will replace the front brake pads, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C31.

Owner Complaints (36)

mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Nov 2025

When putting the car in reverse the brakes make an awful Screaming noise. It sounds like they are not releasing. Then when you go in drive and want to stop it doesn't want to. It is not all the time but more so then not.

NHTSA #: 11698748
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Sep 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse and depressing the brake pedal and attempting to slow down, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear wheels. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with asbestos in the brake fuse. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure progressed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

NHTSA #: 11687406
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jul 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that there was a delay prior to the vehicle stopping. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with rear braking system failure. The contact was informed that the rear braking system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

NHTSA #: 11674471
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jan 2025

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 #: 11634055
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Dec 2024

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 #: 11633170
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Nov 2024

I bought this car in August 2024. There wasn’t a problem, until I backed up. There is this moaning sound. It happens most of the time. This was supposed to be a certified used car. I took it to the dealership and they duplicated the sound I was talking about. Then they tell me they can’t fix it until they hear from Ford. Should be a fix 4th qtr 2024. I saw on Ford website there is a fix and I told them. They said they can’t do anything about it until ford tells them. They knew this was a problem. Most forums have a lot of ford escape owners are having the same problem. I just want it fixed. There is a TSB out for it, but the dealership won’t do anything. I feel like I am being given the run around.

NHTSA #: 11626037
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Oct 2024

When going in reverse the breaks squeal. I have reported this in the past but was told "the noise was normal in this car." I have worked on cars for years and i don't by that. The noise is coming from rear wheels. The router on the left rear has not worn normally. there are groves worn in it. The amount of break dust on the left front wheel is not normal. I realize this happens normally, but this is above and beyond what I would call normal. It could indicate a problem with the break distribution valve. Thank you in advance for your help with this problem.

NHTSA #: 11617840
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Aug 2024

Brake recall still not resolved. Going on 3 years since caliper issues with brake lining and ford refuses to fix the issue. I have been to the dealership twice. The recall is “repaired” but no changes. Horrible screeching sound when reversing and it is affecting my rotors.

NHTSA #: 11606368
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: May 2024

Almost every single time I back up my brakes make an awful noise. I've had the brakes looked at and nothing is wrong with them, I have read numerous articles about other people having this same issue with their 2021 Ford Escapes. Others have brought this to Ford's attention, and they always get told "that's normal". I should not have to hear my brakes screaming for no reason at 7am when leaving work, it is embarrassing and honestly irritating speaking that I would expect my vehicle to have no issues when ford talks to highly about the "quality" of their vehicles.

NHTSA #: 11587006
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Nov 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while reversing, the vehicle vibrated and made an abnormal sound. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an updated brake kit was installed on the vehicle. Additionally, the dealer scuffed up the brake pads; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.

NHTSA #: 11552970
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Aug 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while reserving, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle after depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the brake pads to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the brake pads to be replaced a second time. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100.

NHTSA #: 11538671
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Apr 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V922000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 22V859000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issues. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA #: 11515435
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Mar 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rear brakes were not releasing as designed. There was an abnormal groaning sound detected while reversing. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed and it was determined that the calipers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure was approximately 17,000.

NHTSA #: 11510939
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Mar 2023

There was a brake recall on my vehicle last year. Which was supposedly repaired. I was still having issues with the brakes so I took it to the dealership for a secondary repair. They flat out told me it would not fix the problem and goes is working on it. But according to their records. The recall has been fixed. And it has not been. I have attempted repairs through the dealership twice. And my brakes are still not working properly.

NHTSA #: 11510403
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Feb 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while reversing and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes made an abnormally loud sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three times. The dealer replaced the rear and front brake caliper bushings; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure mostly occurred while reversing the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.

NHTSA #: 11509526
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Feb 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while reversing out of a parking garage and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes made an abnormal grinding sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V922000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. However, the failure reoccurred 3 months later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where unknown repairs were completed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

NHTSA #: 11505878
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jan 2023

When braking in reverse, especially in the mornings, there's a horrible grinding noise. It acts as if it doesn't want to stop. Have contacted the dealership multiple times and they claim they've addressed the recall issue but it just continues. They've gotten to the point that they won't return my calls to address the issue.

NHTSA #: 11503117
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2023

2 current recall problems with vehicle. Brake recall has been an issue since November 2021. The brakes were supposedly fixed. Then there came a horrific squealing noise when vehicle in reverse. And driving. Also when braking when vehicle in motion. Horrible grinding sound. Contacted dealer. Said back order on parts to fix squealing. Apparent issues with bushing. Per the dealership. Has been going on for months. Still have no been contacted for repair. There is no solution regarding the November 2022 recall about the fuel injector. There is currently 7 very serious recalls involving this vehicle. I’m afraid to drive my vehicle. But continue to pay for a death trap.

NHTSA #: 11500718
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Dec 2022

The contact leased a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while reversing and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes emitted an abnormal squealing sound. The contact stated that the failure mainly occurred while reversing. Additionally, a message indicating that the Forward Collision Avoidance camera had failed and needed to be repaired was displayed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 48,971.

NHTSA #: 11499495
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Nov 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while in the reverse(R) position, the vehicle independently increased in speed without warning. The contact made multiple attempts to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal; however, the brakes failed to operate as needed. The contact crashed into a fire hydrant but the air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact suffered pain in her stomach and neck but did not seek immediate medical attention. The fire hydrant was damaged as a result of the failure. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was repaired. Since the repair, the contact stated that the vehicle would shake when driving over 30 MPH without warning. She also mentioned that a loud, squeaking noise would emit from the vehicle while in reverse. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.

NHTSA #: 11493627
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Oct 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing and depressing the brake pedal, an abnormally loud rattling was coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact indicated that the failure was intermittent but mainly occurred in the mornings after the vehicle had been parked overnight. The local dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed they were aware of the failure; however, the cause of the failure was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 7.

NHTSA #: 11490144
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Sep 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing, the brake pedal was depressed and there was an abnormal screeching noise detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed him the failure was due to the weather. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 6,000.

NHTSA #: 11484564
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Aug 2022

Breaks make a grinding sound when backing out

NHTSA #: 11477061
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jul 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving in reverse, a loud grinding sound was present while depressing the brake pedal without warning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to have the brake rotors, brake pads, and brake calipers replaced; however, the parts for the repair remained unavailable. The contact also stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, an abnormal rattling sound was coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 4,000.

NHTSA #: 11471952
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jun 2022

Rear brakes consistently make groaning sound while reversing when the car sits for any more than an hour. Even on hot sunny days with low humidity. Many owners have same issues: https://www.fordescape.org/threads/break-noise-in-reverse.119862/

NHTSA #: 11468586
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jun 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V922000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA #: 11468258
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jun 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating and the brakes were getting extremely hot. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

NHTSA #: 11467865
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Apr 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing and pressing the brake pedal, there was a loud screeching sound coming from the rear brakes. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who serviced the rear brake calipers and rotors but the failure continued to occur. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,500.

NHTSA #: 11462556
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Feb 2022

1) Flapping noise from left front brake. New car with less than 3,300 miles on it. Taken to dealer. Found to have BOTH front brake rotors warped. 2) Dealer STILL has not contacted us about parts availability for recall on brakes (Nov 2021) Please note that this is the 3rd complaint filed on the same vehicle. Other complaint numbers are 11452046 and 11452039.

NHTSA #: 11452416
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Jan 2022

I was coming to a stop at a red light when my brakes began to get hard to the point to where I couldn’t press them down. I then rear ended another vehicle. It seems to me that the power brakes might have failed. After crashing my brakes seem to go back to normal but still felt abnormally stiff. There was no injuries in the accident. The car is under an open recall stating this exact problem. I contacted our local dealer the day I found out about the recall and they told me that the car was to drive and parts would not be available until the 2nd Quarter of 2022. The recall also states that it only happened under certain circumstances. I will not be driving the vehicle until after recall is fixed because it is an unsafe vehicle to drive due to not knowing when the brakes might fail again.

NHTSA #: 11449028
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jan 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V922000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA #: 11447853
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
CrashFiled: Jan 2022

My daughter was coasting and the person in front of her slammed on their brakes causing her to slam on hers. Her collision warning did not go off until after she hit the car in front of her so she had didn't have enough time to stop. We pulled off into a parking lot and called the police to inspect the cars. Two weeks later there was a recall on the back brake pads. She ended up getting a ticket for impeding traffic which ended up costing $150.00 plus $5.50 for fees. I also have damage to the grille and bumper on my car that needs to get fixed.

NHTSA #: 11447432
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jan 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V922000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA #: 11446873
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Dec 2021

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving in reverse, a loud grinding sound was present while depressing the brake pedal. The contact indicated that the failure mainly occurred after the vehicle was not used for an overnight period. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the brake rotors, but the sound continued to occur. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,000.

NHTSA #: 11445205
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Dec 2021

Wife was driving vehicle. Came to intersection at end of our street. Applied brakes. Brakes did not work. Went through intersection crashed into tree. Injured, taken to hospital, vehicle towed, police report made. Vehicle is available for inspection. Would like to have vehicle inspected! Not yet inspected by anyone. No warning of problem. Vehicle has about 250 miles on it. Just leased on Dec 2, 2021.

NHTSA #: 11444169
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Dec 2021

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse, an abnormally loud humming noise would emit from the vehicle upon depression of the brake pedal without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on numerous occasions and on the latest visit, she had the brake pads replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.

NHTSA #: 11442905

Other 2021 Ford Escape Issues