2021 Ford Escape Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 38 Electrical System complaints for the 2021 Ford Escape, 11% of its 346 total complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 21,000. Three related recalls cover high voltage battery defects, including fire risk from internal short circuits and sudden loss of drive power.
- Electrical System complaints
- 38
- 11% of 346
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 21,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Owners report unintended fires starting near the front of the vehicle or under the hood, in some cases while the car was parked and unoccupied.
- Auto Start/Stop inadvertently activates while the vehicle is in motion at low speed, with no warning lights displayed and the feature requiring manual disabling.
- Drivers describe false collision warnings and steering wheel nudges toward the road shoulder when no obstacle is present.
- Speed limit readouts on the dashboard display incorrect values, and hands-on-wheel alerts trigger even when both hands are on the wheel.
- A wiring harness issue caused an electric shock to a service technician during A/C repair, with owners told the vehicle was unsafe to drive until the part was replaced.
- Water accumulates inside the taillights during rain, reported alongside unrelated brake noise complaints.
When 2021 Ford Escape electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Jan 24, 2022, latest Sep 15, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2021 Ford Escape
- NHTSA 24V954000Dec 20, 2024Electrical System20,484 vehicles
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery:management system/energy control module (bms/becm)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ford Escape, and 2021-2024 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
Risk: Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge battery till the remedy has been completed. Dealers will perform a battery energy control module (BECM) software update, and replace the high voltage battery pack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S79.
- NHTSA 22V149000Mar 11, 2022Electrical System3 vehicles
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Corsair and 2021-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with a 2.5L Hybrid powertrain. The high voltage battery may fail, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.
Risk: A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the high voltage battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S48.
- NHTSA 21V869000Nov 10, 2021Electrical System1 vehicles
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling one 2021 Escape vehicle equipped with a 2.5L hybrid powertrain. The high voltage battery may fail, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.
Risk: A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: A dealer will replace the high voltage battery, free of charge. The owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S48.
Electrical System complaints by Escape model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical complaints does NHTSA have for the 2021 Ford Escape?
- NHTSA lists 38 Electrical System complaints for the 2021 Escape, making up 11% of the 346 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for electrical problems on the 2021 Ford Escape?
- Yes. Three recalls cover the Electrical System: campaign 24V954000 for a high voltage battery cell defect that can cause an internal short circuit, campaign 22V149000 for high voltage battery failure causing sudden loss of drive power, and campaign 21V869000 for the same issue on the hybrid powertrain.
- At what mileage do 2021 Escape electrical problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for Electrical System complaints on the 2021 Escape is 21,000 miles.
- Did the electrical issues cause any crashes or fires?
- NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2021 Escape lists 2 crashes, 2 fires, and 1 injury among the reported complaints.
- Does auto start/stop malfunction on the 2021 Escape?
- Some owners reported the Auto Start/Stop feature inadvertently stopping the vehicle while driving at low speed, with no warning lights and requiring the feature to be manually disabled.