2021 Ford Escape Engine Problems

Your car may be at risk of overheating, which could cause engine cracks and leak fluids onto hot engine surfaces, potentially creating a fire hazard. Ford has not yet provided a fix for this issue. You should avoid driving the vehicle until this problem is addressed by a dealer.

Your 2021 Ford Escape was subject to a recall for a fuel system issue released in July 2025, but as of March 2026 — eight months later — you still haven't been able to get the repair completed. You're asking for help to speed up the repair process so you can get the necessary parts and have the work done.

NHTSA Recall 25V467 was issued in July 2025. It has been over 3 months of constant fear for under-hood fire from possible fuel injector crack. My family's safety has been at risk long enough, this needs a permanent fix please!

VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. REMEDY IS NOT AVAILABLE, AND A FIRE CAN START UNDER THE HOOD. I HAVE A CAR THAT I BOUGHT THAT I CANNOT DRIVE WITHOUT THE ANXIETY OF A FIRE. FORD WILL NOT BUYBACK MY VEHICLE, AND THEY ARE IN BREACH OF THEIR WARRANTY.

I’ve visited both Ourisman Ford of Manassas, VA and Ted Britt Ford of Chantilly, VA regarding this issue and asked when a fix is expected. At both dealerships, I was informed that this is not classified as a recall but rather part of Ford’s Customer Satisfaction Program. However, when I provided the service representative with the official letter from Ford, they were unable to locate either the Manufacturer Recall Number 25S76 or the NHTSA Recall Number 25V467 in their system. I’ve also explained that my vehicle—a 2021 model with fewer than 25,000 miles—is experiencing poor fuel economy, ranging between 23–29 MPG. Additionally, I’ve noticed a troubling performance issue: when accelerating from a complete stop, the car sometimes hesitates, then suddenly lurches forward, occasionally causing the tires to squeal.

Lithia ford is Fresno worked on exhaust and replaced cat converter on September 5th 2024 for the dealer in which I purchased my vehicle. Ford did not put the support bracket that holds the exhaust and catalytic converter in place back on after the repair. I purchased the vehicle and after 1 month of driving it, the vehicle exhaust started to get really loud and began leaking exhaust fumes into the cab of the car. Car was taken to Tulare Ford to be checked when the missing bracket was discovered and work history was pulled on the vehicle showing Lithia’s direct connection to the exact missing part. Lithia ford refuses to take responsibility for their failure to properly secure the exhaust and catalytic converter which directly cause the issue at hand.

When I change gears to reverse, it’s hard to put in gear and studders as well. I am not sure what the issue here is with it.

See attached document for complaint.

Every time I get gas my engine stalls out citing an issue with the evap system — evap purge valve. This is not safe as it stalls out directly after filling the car up. The smell of gas is very prominent leading me to believe there could be a fire hazard associated with this as well.

2021 Ford Escape 1.5L 19,502 miles Coolant loss with no visible leaks

On or about [XXX] I was driving on the highway and the traffic was slowed down. Once the traffic speed picked back up I noticed the maintenance symbol light up. I could not go any faster than 50 mph. I immediately went and got and oil change. Once I paid for the service the technician told me that I had a stripped oil pan. He said that I needed to check it out. The Ford Escape drove without a problem for about 2 weeks then the check engine light came on [XXX]. I made and appointment with Pep boys. The next morning 1/19 as I started the car the check engine light was on. I took the car to pep boys and parked to wait for appointment time. I turned the car off and waited for about 5 minutes and started the car back up and the check engine light did not come back on. I told the technician that my check engine light was on but now it is not. So he could not do a diagnostic on it. He told me that my oil pan would be in until the next day 1/20. 1/20/25 the next morning I took my Ford Escape to get the oil pan changed. While on the way the check engine light was still off. So as I get to the pep boys I tell them that my check engine light is back on. They did the repair for the change of the oil pan and diagnosed a DTC p3402 ( Cylinders 1 Deactivation/ intake valve. It was recommended for me to take my Ford Escape to the authorized dealer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

While accelerating at a stop light I heard a thud in the hood of my car and then it started to smoke so I pulled off the road and turned off vehicle but the car caught fire and the entire front end burned.

My coolant exploded while in the middle of the road, engine stopped accelerating. Warning light turned on right as acceleration was reduced to nothing. No prior warning & temp gauge was normal it’s I lost acceleration. Had to turn on hazards to warn cars behind me as it was sudden. No warning lamps prior to the coolant leak besides the low tire pressure.

My 2021 Ford Escape SE is loosing coolant, but no leaks.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering and jerking abnormally. The contact also stated that the engine had overheated, and the vehicle could not be driven for more than an hour. The check engine and oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or local dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

No incident, but complaint regarding Ford's untimely correction of safety recall 22S73, NHTSA Recall 22V859. Recall notice sent in January 2023; thus far Ford (Woody Anderson Ford, Huntsville, AL) is totally noncommittal in terms of a likely correction date. Based upon data from this Ford dealership, corrective action could be as late as Fall/Winter 2023. Ford should be responsible for allotting adequate resources to this safety issue.

The vehicle still has not been serviced due to the dealerships informing me that they do not have the parts even though I received notice that the parts were in stock.

FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM SAFETY RECALL.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle began vibrating and the contact heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to local dealer and was informed that there was no remedy for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 700.

The contact’s daughter owned a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an unknown speed, the coolant warning light illuminated. As the contact's daughter began to pull over, she began to lose control of the vehicle as a black smoke started coming from the engine. The vehicle caught on fire once the contact's daughter had exited the vehicle. The fire department arrived at the scene and was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed. There was no injury reported. Due to the failure, the vehicle was initially towed to a tow yard however, the current location of the vehicle was unknown. The contact's daughter notified the dealer of the failure and a week later and she was informed that an investigation would be started. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was unknown.