Though the Ford Escape has long been a popular model among new and used vehicle shoppers, as is the case with most automobiles out there, not every model year is created equally. Some have their own unique quirks and known issues, while others are far more reliable and mostly trouble-free, which includes the 2021 Ford Escape. In fact, Consumer Reports highlighted that particular crossover as a model to avoid that very same year, and now, it has made that same list yet again for 2024.
The 2021 Ford Escape made the cut on Consumer Reports‘ list of used vehicles to avoid this time around, rankings it derives using data from a variety of sources. Those include its Annual Auto Surveys submitted by owners, which notate any problems those owners have experienced with their vehicles. In that case, every vehicle on this list has much worse-than-average reliability compared to the rest of the pack.
In fact, the 2021 Ford Escape actually ranked dead last among 16 vehicles in its segment in terms of reliability, with the powertrain being the biggest culprit. Owners report having issues with squeaking brakes that can oftentimes be difficult to apply, a slipping transmission that also shifts roughly at times, and body panels that vibrate at highway speeds. On top of that, the 2021 Ford Escape has also been the subject of nine recalls.
Interestingly, this hasn’t always been the case, as the 2021 Ford Escape was initially highlighted as a vehicle that experienced great improvement in terms of reliability versus the 2020 model by Consumer Reports. The consumer organization also named the 2021 Escape as one of the most popular used vehicles on the market earlier this year, too, which indicated that a lot of shoppers are considering that particular model in spite of its flaws.
We’ll have more on the Escape soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Escape news and continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
I’am driving a 2020 Escape ( but it’s a hybrid). All I can say about it…. Is, I would NOT buy one!!! What a P. O. S.
RATTLES, SQUEAKS, and some kind of Groaning when you take off after a Cold Start??? It’s too small for a big 6’ 275 lbs Guy. It does have decent power.
The vehicle size issue should have been immediately identified during a test drive. That has nothing to do with vehicle reliability.
Test drive may have been a good idea to realise vehicle limitations for your body size and weight.
All Ford/Lincoln vehicles new or used should be avoided since quality/recall issues under Failure Farley are the same as Alfa Romeo’s.
Not a single complaint with my 2020 hybrid. Averaging 41 mpg.
It may be a bad vehicle, but CR’s opinion of it is not evidence of that.
How
Does this apply to the 2020 Lincoln Corsair built 9n.the same platform
0
Half the time I do not trust CR.
Also CR: “I kicked the car’s rim with my bare foot as hard as I could and it hurt. Clearly, this is a quality issue that Ford, a company I openly hate, needs to work on.”