2021 Ford Escape Hybrid fuel system problems

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

While driving the vehicle it lost power and all the check lights came on. Had to have it towed to a dealership where they stated it needed a new motor and new high voltage battery. The car has only 116000 miles on it. There should be a total recall for this type of vehicle if I would have been at a higher speed I would have injured myself or others. This car is riddled with problems and has over 19 recalls as of date.

NHTSA complaint #11748768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the high-voltage battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer reset the check engine warning light. The contact stated that the following day after the reset, the check engine warning light illuminated a second time. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V869000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

NHTSA complaint #11645966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The fuel neck tube requires replacement as per the mechanic's assessment. When refueling, the pump frequently stops every 5-10 seconds, as though the tank is full, necessitating multiple restarts. This defect makes it difficult to ascertain when the tank is genuinely full, leading to the risk of overfilling. On two occasions, despite the pump's intermittent stopping, it eventually functioned normally but resulted in overfilling, causing fuel to overflow from the fuel neck. This issue has been deemed out of warranty; however, Ford has offered to cover 50% of the repair costs as a goodwill gesture. Nonetheless, I believe that this defect should be fully covered and that a recall is warranted due to its significant safety implications. Additionally, a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) exists for this issue, and there is a substantial online community documenting similar defects in the 2020-2023 Escape Hybrids. The estimated repair cost is $1,100, and the vehicle has less than 14,000 miles on the odometer. Enclosed are the diagnostic report (repairs pending), email correspondence from Ford, and the relevant TSB.

NHTSA complaint #11640109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the message that the vehicle had lost power was displayed. The contact disconnected the Hybrid setting and indicated the loss of power with the Hybrid battery. The failure was self-corrected; however, the failure still occurred intermittently. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 21V869000 (Electrical System, Hybrid Propulsion System) and 22V149000 (Electrical System, Hybrid Propulsion System). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer confirmed the VIN was not included in the recalls. The failure mileage was 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #11609772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The recall for potential engine fire due to injectors that crack is inadequate. Reprogramming the computer and drilling a hole for gas to leak on the ground is ridiculous. Why should we have to drive a potential "firebomb?" Ford should do the right thing and replace all of the injectors that could crack and replace them with new injectors that are correctly manufactured. Ford is trying to shirk their responsibility and "save a buck" at the expense of the owners. Please make Ford fix this potentially deadly problem.

NHTSA complaint #11595602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Recall 23S27 (NHTSA 23V-380). I do not feel that Ford is offering owners a safe or effective repair, leaving serious risk of injury or death. 1.7/2022. Recall 22S47. “Engine oil and/or fuel vapor may leak and accumulate” which “may ignite resulting in an under hood fire, and increasing the risk of injury.” 2.8/8/22. Ford Media to UPI, “IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE FAILURE” above issues may occur. 3.5/26/23. Recall 23S27 acknowledges, “ENGINE COULD FAIL PREMATURELY,” leading to the above. 4.5/26/23. NHTSA Part 573 Safety Recall Report: CAUSE identified. “Isolated ENGINE MANUFACTURING ISSUES HAVE RESULTED IN 2.5L HEV/PHEV ENGINE FAILURES INVOLVING ENGINE BLOCK OR OIL PAN BREACH. Likely driving “final solution” (paragraph 7). “In the event of an ENGINE BLOCK OR OIL PAN BREACH, THE HEV/PHEV SYSTEM CONTINUES TO PROPEL THE VEHICLE ALLOWING THE CUSTOMER TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. AS THE CUSTOMER CONTINUES TO DRIVE AFTER A BLOCK BREACH, oil and/or fuel vapor continues to be expelled and accumulates near ignition sources”. 5.2023. “23S27 Chronology RMISC-23V380-7289,” LINKS recall 22S47 with 23S27. Vehicles WHICH HAD UNDERGONE THE REPAIR SPECIFIED BY 22S47 STILL HAD ISSUES, and Ford engineers CONFIRMED BLOCK BREACH AND CORRECT 22S47 REPAIR. “Repair” for 22S47 DID NOT FIX THE UNDERLYING MECHANICAL PROBLEM. 6.6/6/23. Autoblog: “Per Ford, the “manufacturing issues” include POOR MACHINING OF THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT AND CONTAMINATION OF ENGINE BLOCK MATING SURFACES DURING ASSEMBLY.” “2.5-liter engines . . . with defects “could be ticking time bombs.” 7.5/24. “SOFTWARE is now available to REPAIR [affected vehicles].” Dealers will “update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).” This will not fix the problem. I respectfully request NHTSA investigate and compel Ford to provide the correct and proper mechanical repairs necessary to prevent block/oil pan breach in the first place.

NHTSA complaint #11590887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

vehicle was recalled 11+ months ago, but no remedy as yet been found. If the issue was so serious, why no repair procedure has been determined?

NHTSA complaint #11583767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

We stopped driving this vehicle when notice was sent about the possible engine fire. We are appalled that Ford has provided no fix for this for 9 months (May 2023 to Feb 2024, the time of this complaint). We contacted a Lemon Law lawyer but there's no protection unless the engine were to malfunction. Tell me: Would you want to drive your kids in a vehicle with an engine that could explode into flames without notice? We've lost $12,000 so far: $6,000 paying the loan + dmv/insurance on the Ford and another $6,000 for the same for a replacement vehicle. Cannot do PNO bec of lien.

NHTSA complaint #11572796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I am worried that this vehicle's engine could die, proceed to leak oil and fuel and combust, leaving a burning husk that should've been repaired three months ago. The open recall was set to conclude, per Ford, in October 2023. It is now New Year's with no resolution. I do not want to drive a tinderbox.

NHTSA complaint #11562782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that AAA was notified and was able to jumpstart the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that a message indicating to turn off the voltage to save power or restart vehicle appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed to drive the vehicle more and the battery was replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact then stated that the front passenger’s side window inadvertently rolled down. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the glider and sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V149000 (Electrical System, Hybrid Propulsion System). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA complaint #11510810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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. I was told that the fuel vapor issue had been addressed and resolved however according to your records it has not. I have been waiting for a call that the parts were available for the warranty repairs since December 19.

NHTSA complaint #11498629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.