2021 Ford Escape power train problems
43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2021 Ford Escape — 13% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Windows sometimes don't roll up or down, driver side doors do not lock, vehicle doesn't properly accelerate/very slow to go like gas isn't reaching where it needs to go, the transmission area makes a clunking noise, and the back sensor seems to have fallen out and it constantly beeps as if I am…”
filed Sep 15, 2026
“The transmission went out. Torque converter is shot. Only has 120,000 miles in it. This is a known problem with the 8f35 transmission. It needs to be recalled.”
filed Sep 13, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into…Campaign 24V330000 · May 10, 2024
Related service bulletins
This bulletin supersedes 26-2194. Reason for update: update the Parts list to correct a part description " Loctite 638", update the claim quantity for the drain/fill plug, update the claim quantity of the wheel hub…
TSB 26-2328 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 15, 2026Some 2020-2026 Corsair/Escape, 2021-2026 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles equipped with an 8F35 transmission may exhibit a shudder condition, most noticeable at speeds below 60 mph (100 km/h), with no…
SSM 54939 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 16, 2026Some 2020-2026 Corsair/Escape, 2021-2026 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles equipped with an 8F35 transmission may exhibit a shudder condition, most noticeable at speeds below 60 mph (100 km/h), with no…
SSM 54797 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 4, 2026This bulletin supersedes 25-2627. Reason for update: To add a Step to reprogram the all-wheel drive (AWD) module for Bronco Sport vehicles. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit all of the…
TSB 26-2194 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 26, 2026
Power Train problems in other Escape years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Escape | 3 | 13% |
| 2024 Escape | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 Escape | 20 | 21% |
| 2022 Escape | 31 | 13% |
| 2020 Escape | 236 | 15% |
| 2019 Escape | 125 | 21% |
| 2018 Escape | 269 | 15% |
| 2017 Escape | 390 | 15% |
| 2016 Escape | 320 | 29% |
| 2015 Escape | 286 | 26% |
| 2014 Escape | 481 | 23% |
| 2013 Escape | 401 | 15% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2021 Ford Escape
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.