2021 Ford Escape fuel system problems
81 of the 492 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Escape name the fuel system (NHTSA’s “Fuel/Propulsion System” heading — fuel tanks, lines, pumps and injection — and on an EV, the propulsion battery and motors). Filed under the same heading: 4 recalls, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the fuel system
Source: NHTSA complaint database1 of the 81 reports a crash · 4 a fire · 1 injury. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2021: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2023: 16 · 2024: 5 · 2025: 22 · 2026: 34
Too few of these complaints carry an odometer reading to say when the problem shows up.
492 complaints in all about the 2021 Ford Escape, 34 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Fuel/Propulsion System” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ford Escape fuel system problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the fuel system. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The fuel neck tube requires replacement as per the mechanic's assessment. When refueling, the pump frequently stops every 5-10 seconds, as though the tank is full, necessitating multiple restarts. This defect makes it difficult to ascertain when the tank is genuinely full, leading to the risk of overfilling.
The recall for potential engine fire due to injectors that crack is inadequate. Reprogramming the computer and drilling a hole for gas to leak on the ground is ridiculous.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V859000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V859000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and a second dealer, Bill Brown Ford (32222 Plymouth Rd, Livonia, MI 48150), were contacted.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V859000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle could be repaired in October 2023.
What is on file about the fuel system
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 25V467000 CriticalJul 11, 2025 · 694,271 vehicles
- 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.
- 25V165000 CriticalMar 14, 2025 · 33,576 vehicles
- 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.
- 22V859000 CriticalNov 18, 2022 · 521,746 vehicles
- 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.
- 21V625000 HighAug 10, 2021 · 13,773 vehicles
- 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.
NHTSA investigation
- AQ22002 Healey Brothers Ford / Open Recall Saleopened Jun 3, 2022 · open
- NHTSA is opening this audit query to investigate whether Healey Brothers Ford, LLC of Beacon, New York, has complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and in turn that a…
Other systems with a record on the 2021 Ford Escape
Source: the same files- body and structure problems 127 complaints
- engine problems 91 complaints
- electrical problems 64 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 60 complaints
- brake problems 57 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre fuel system problems common on the 2021 Ford Escape?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 81 owner complaints naming the fuel system on this model year (16% of everything owners filed about it), and 4 recalls, 1 NHTSA investigation are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the fuel system on the 2021 Ford Escape?
Yes — 4 campaigns are filed under this heading: 25V467000, 25V165000, 22V859000, 21V625000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do fuel system problems show up on the 2021 Ford Escape?
Too few of the complaints carry an odometer reading to say. The model year's page shows the mileage curve across every system where it can.
What does NHTSA's "Fuel/Propulsion System" heading cover?
Fuel tanks, lines, pumps and injection — and on an EV, the propulsion battery and motors. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.