2021 Ford Escape Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 11/01/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 353 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2021 Ford Escape overview page.
What owners report
“My check engine light has come on four (4) seperate times, after being serviced three (3) times. All of which have been by a ford…”NHTSA complaint 11556766 — filed 11/25/2023
“The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, there was smoke coming from the vehicle, with the check engine…”NHTSA complaint 11539839 — filed 08/21/2023
“The transmission automatically went into park in the middle of an intersection and was inoperable from that time and had to be towed from the…”NHTSA complaint 11425732 — filed 07/20/2021
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2021 Ford Escape have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2021 Ford Escape: 43 of 353 complaints on file (12.2%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2021 Ford Escape have in total?
353 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 11/01/2026. Across all categories, 9 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, 5 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
