2021 Ford Escape Fuel System Problems
The 2021 Ford Escape has 73 fuel system complaints, 21% of its 346 total complaints, with 4 fires reported and a median failure mileage of 70,000. Four separate fuel system recalls cover this year, tied to cracked fuel injectors and a faulty fuel delivery module.
- Fuel System complaints
- 73
- 21% of 346
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 4
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 70,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 4
Typical fuel system symptoms owners report
- Some owners report the vehicle stalling on the road with the check engine light on, followed by a fuel smell and an underhood fire.
- Others describe a fire starting under the hood while driving on the highway, with smoke entering the cabin before they could pull over.
- Some report a persistent gasoline odor inside the cabin that dealers could not diagnose despite repeated shop visits.
- Several owners with open recall 22V859000 for the fuel injector report waiting months because replacement parts were on back order.
- One owner reported a fuel odor leaking into the cabin followed by an engine fire while turning at low speed, with no warning light illuminated beforehand.
When 2021 Ford Escape fuel system complaints were filed
First complaint Jul 27, 2021, latest Sep 22, 2026.
Fuel System recalls for the 2021 Ford Escape
- NHTSA 25V467000Jul 11, 2025Fuel System694,271 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control software. In addition, dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel rail assembly and fuel injectors, free of charge. As an interim repair, dealers will update the engine control software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed August 29, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in July 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S76. This recall expands and replaces previous recall numbers 22V-859, 24V187, and 25V165. Vehicles previously remedied under 22V-859, 24V187, and 25V165 will need to have the new final remedy performed once it is available.
- NHTSA 25V165000Mar 14, 2025Fuel System33,576 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 22V-859 or 24V-187. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S21.
- NHTSA 22V859000Nov 18, 2022Fuel System521,746 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control software to include fuel injector leak detection and install a drain tube, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed January 9, 2023. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 1st Quarter of 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S73. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 22V-191. Vehicles previously remedied under 22V-191 will need to have the new remedy performed.
- NHTSA 21V625000Aug 10, 2021Fuel System13,773 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump:control/drive module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles. The fuel delivery module may leak inside the fuel tank, causing low fuel pressure which could result in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. Interim notification letters (remedy not available) were mailed on September 30, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 14, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S38.
Fuel 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 fuel system complaints does the 2021 Ford Escape have?
- NHTSA lists 73 fuel system complaints for the 2021 Ford Escape, which is 21% of its 346 total complaints for the year.
- Does the 2021 Ford Escape have a fuel system recall?
- Yes. It is covered by four separate recalls tied to the fuel system: 21V625000, 22V859000, 25V165000, and 25V467000, mostly involving cracked fuel injectors or a leaking fuel delivery module.
- Are there fires linked to the 2021 Ford Escape fuel system?
- NHTSA complaint data for this problem area shows 4 fires, 1 crash, and 1 injury reported among the 73 fuel system complaints.
- At what mileage do fuel system problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for fuel system complaints on the 2021 Escape is 70,000 miles.
- How does the 2021 Escape compare to other years for fuel system issues?
- The 2021 Escape's fuel system complaints make up 21% of its total complaints, lower than the 2022 model's 36% share but higher than years like 2018 at 3% and 2019 at 4%.