2021 Ford Escape · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 49owner reports
- 5,000median miles
- 6involved a crash
Newest report Jul 9, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
49 of the 348 complaints on this car describe brake wear, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2021 Escape.
Tick what matches of 49 reports
Brake wear on other Escape years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2016, 2019, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the pads and rotors (13 reports) and the caliper (6 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the brakes covers the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect braking performance.
All 19 recalls on the 2021 Ford Escape, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Escape
Engine compartment fire. Closed feb 29, 2012, led to recall 12V-005.
Engine compartment fire. Closed jan 15, 2010.
Engine compartment fire. Closed apr 15, 2009.
Engine compartment fire. Closed apr 17, 2007, led to recall 07V-156.
None of these investigations covers the 2021 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 2,965 and 17,000 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2021 Ford Escape that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00.
Some 2013-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00.
What owners wrote
“When putting the car in reverse the brakes make an awful Screaming noise. It sounds like they are not releasing. Then when you go in drive and want to stop it doesn't want to. It is not all the time but more so then not.”
Filed Nov 11, 2025
“Brake recall still not resolved. Going on 3 years since caliper issues with brake lining and ford refuses to fix the issue. I have been to the dealership twice. The recall is ârepairedâ but no changes. Horrible screeching sound when reversing and it is affecting my rotors.”
Filed Aug 4, 2024
“since I have owned this SUV the break has been bad I have taken it in with no help from ford now the weld on my drive side door has broken away from the frame. ford has told me that there nothing they can do about it, and I have to pay for the repairs. i have had the car for 2 1/2 years and i have read on line that this has happen to a lot of people”
Filed May 18, 2023
“When braking in reverse, especially in the mornings, there's a horrible grinding noise. It acts as if it doesn't want to stop. Have contacted the dealership multiple times and they claim they've addressed the recall issue but it just continues. They've gotten to the point that they won't return my calls to address the issue.”
Filed Jan 23, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 6 of 49 reports involved a crash and 3 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works