2021 Ford Escape brake problems
57 of the 492 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Escape name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). Filed under the same heading: 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 brakes
Source: NHTSA complaint database6 of the 57 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 3 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2021: 3 · 2022: 24 · 2023: 15 · 2024: 7 · 2025: 5 · 2026: 3
Half of the 17 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 2,000 and 17,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
492 complaints in all about the 2021 Ford Escape, 3 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 “Service Brakes” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ford Escape brake problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the brakes. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Brakes became sluggish and parking brake would not disengage. Towed car to Autonation Ford. They diagnosed and found "internal failure of electric brake booster requiring replacement. It took them 30 days to locate a part and complete repairs.
Received a notice that a recall was necessary to correct fuel vapor issues which might result in a fire. Simultaneously notified the dealer that the brake booster was defective. They agreed and both assured me the part had been delivered and subsequently informed me that the part for the brakes was defective.
Brakes are squealing very badly when in reverse, (going down a hill or when have not been used in a few days or after a rain storm). Windshield sub-stained a splintered crack after only 2 months, quality of windshield seems weak
The brakes seem to fail randomly, which requires me to pump the brakes and have more distance in order to avoid hitting the car in front of me. I first noticed this when going down a hill leading into a red light near my house, as it would happen every few weeks, where I would press down on the breaks, and it would make a clicking sound…
In September 2021 the car had 2 incidents of not being able to stop with the brakes while backing down my drive. The auto stop shut down was on. In the first instant I almost hit a senior with a walker. He fell but only scraped his hand and was not hit by the car.
What is on file about the brakes
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 21V922000 HighNov 23, 2021 · 114,666 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco Sport and Escape vehicles. The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect braking performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
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
- transmission and drivetrain problems 60 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre brake problems common on the 2021 Ford Escape?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 57 owner complaints naming the brakes on this model year (12% of everything owners filed about it), and 1 recall is 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 brakes on the 2021 Ford Escape?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 21V922000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the 2021 Ford Escape?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 5,000 miles; half of them between 2,000 and 17,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.