2021 Ford Escape body and structure problems
127 of the 492 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Escape name the body and structure (NHTSA’s “Structure” heading — body panels, frame, roof rails, trim and glass as fitted). Filed under the same heading: 22 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall, 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 body and structure
Source: NHTSA complaint database0 of the 127 reports a crash · 1 a fire · 1 injury. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2021: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2023: 54 · 2024: 39 · 2025: 15 · 2026: 15
Half of the 27 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the body and structure problem between 22,000 and 50,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
492 complaints in all about the 2021 Ford Escape, 15 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 “Structure” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ford Escape body and structure problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the body and structure. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Upon opening the driver side door there was a pop. Every time the door has been opened to appx 50% full width the same popping noise occurs. The weld is popped in the hinge but this is not visible without taking the door apart. The door will close properly and the window works at this time
Drivers door bracket broken and makes ratcheting noise. Currie Ford in Frankfort Ill contacted and I was advised it will need a new door. Issue raised up to cover claim. Vehicle only has 40000 miles on it. See SSM 50150
Most of the welds on the driver door bracket that holds the door latch mechanism have failed
Driver side door hinge welds have gave way as making popping sounds and the window does not roll down all the way
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while opening the front driver's side door, the door made an abnormal popping sound. Additionally, the contact stated that the door failed to open wide enough or close securely.
What is on file about the body and structure
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 25V829000 HighDec 1, 2025 · 108,762 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2025 Escape vehicles. The liftgate hinge covers may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.
NHTSA investigation
- PE23013 Failed Door Check Arm Attachment Pointopened Jul 7, 2023 · closed Jan 24, 2024
- On July 7, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-013 to investigate instances of check arm bracket failure in the front doors in model year (MY) 2020-2021 Ford Escape vehicles. At the time of opening, ODI received 118 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging this failure. To date, ODI has received 593 VOQs alleging this failure, with a variety of reported failure conditio…
22 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- TSB 26-2092 V2 Service bulletinSep 22, 2026
- This article supersedes TSB 25-2466 to add Bronco Sport, Escape, Maverick and Corsair, as well as removing Expedition and Navigator. One time use parts for Corsair and Bronco Sport were also added to the parts list. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit a headliner rattle or sagging condition around the roof opening panel. This may be due to the adhesive separating f
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.
Other systems with a record on the 2021 Ford Escape
Source: the same files- engine problems 91 complaints
- fuel system problems 81 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 body and structure problems common on the 2021 Ford Escape?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 127 owner complaints naming the body and structure on this model year (26% of everything owners filed about it), and 22 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall, 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 body and structure on the 2021 Ford Escape?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 25V829000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do body and structure problems show up on the 2021 Ford Escape?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 41,000 miles; half of them between 22,000 and 50,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Structure" heading cover?
Body panels, frame, roof rails, trim and glass as fitted. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.