2021 Ford Escape transmission and drivetrain problems
60 of the 492 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Escape name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 43 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall. 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 transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database1 of the 60 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 1 injury. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2021: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2023: 4 · 2024: 12 · 2025: 11 · 2026: 28
Half of the 15 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 50,000 and 87,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
492 complaints in all about the 2021 Ford Escape, 28 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 “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ford Escape transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
On Saturday at approximately 8:25 p.m., my 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid SEL abruptly entered limp mode while traveling on a major highway. The vehicle's speed rapidly dropped from approximately 60-65mph to 20 mph in heavy, high-speed (many driving over 70mph)traffic.
Power train lost during driving, suddenly the car lost the power and a light in the dashboard start blinking, it recovers after a few times turning it on and off, seems to be triggered by brake pedal press, car has been having issues since Oct 2025 after unplugged it
NOV 20, 2025 Manufacturer Recall Number25SC4 NHTSA Recall Number25V789 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary this has been 9 months and still no remedy. this doesnt seem timely
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was parked on the side of the road and was later towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was serviced by the dealer.
I own a 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid SEL, VIN . The vehicle currently has approximately 104,708 miles. The vehicle has developed a shuddering, vibration, and chatter condition during low-speed turns, parking maneuvers, backing up, and other tight turning situations.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 24V330000 HighMay 10, 2024 · 9,312 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick, 2020-2022 Escape, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.
43 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- SSM 54939 Service bulletinJun 16, 2026
- Some 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 relevant diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). Sometimes, this may be perceived/felt as an engine misfire. This may be due to the torque converter
The 1 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
U3000 P0106 P0011 P0012 P0014 P0015 P0016 P0017
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2021 Ford Escape names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2021 Ford Escape
Source: the same files- body and structure problems 127 complaints
- engine problems 91 complaints
- fuel system problems 81 complaints
- electrical problems 64 complaints
- brake problems 57 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2021 Ford Escape?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 60 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (12% of everything owners filed about it), and 43 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall 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 transmission and drivetrain on the 2021 Ford Escape?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 24V330000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2021 Ford Escape?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 73,925 miles; half of them between 50,000 and 87,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.