2021 Ford Escape: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jun 10, 2026 · Body, Electrical · OH · fire

On XXX I was driving my 2021 Ford Escape for 10 minutes before I stopped at Sheetz gas station on [XXX]. I ran into the building to withdraw cash from the ATM leaving my fiance and dog in the car while it sat idle. Upon exiting the building about 30 seconds to a minute later, I witnessed smoke coming up from the hood of my car. My fiance and Dog quickly evacuated the car as we saw flames emerging. I ran inside to get assistance from the workers and they brought out fire extinguishers. The attempt to extinguish the flames was unsuccessful and the front of the car quickly went up. Police and fire department were called and they showed up about 10 minutes later to handle the situation. Reports from the officer, fire department and the Sheetz assistant were taken. I do not have access to those. My car insurance is covering the cost of the vehicle and a 7 day car rental. They are not covering the loss of both mine and my fiance's cell phones. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 29, 2025 · Fuel system · 80,000 miles · CA · fire · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while making a right turn at approximately 10 MPH, a fuel odor had begun to leak into the interior cabin before the engine caught on fire. The A/C was activated during the time of the failure. No warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to extinguish the fire, she fell on her stomach while pregnant, causing a miscarriage for which medical attention was sought. A police report was not filed. A Fire report was filed. The origin of the fire was unknown. The contact stated that a nearby school bus provided a fire extinguisher for the contact to extinguish the fire. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle's engine was replaced a the local dealer prior to the fire however soon noticed the vehicle was still not operating as normal. The dealer was notified but declined to provide a loaner vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local residential address after the fire, where it remains on a driveway. The origin of the fire was unknown. The contact mentioned that, due to costs the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired for the fire failure. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V859000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V187000 (Fuel System, Gasoline however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Oct 22, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · MI · fire

I see no recalls for 2021 Ford Escape SEL AWD 2.0L. Vehicle was parked next to house under carport all day and owner smelled smoke. Looked out house window and seen front of vehicle on fire and catching house on fire. The fire department put it out but the vehicle was a total lose and house has significant damage and is unlivable until repairs can be made. There were no indications this was going to happen. These models need to have a recall.

Filed Oct 17, 2024 · Engine · TX · fire

While accelerating at a stop light I heard a thud in the hood of my car and then it started to smoke so I pulled off the road and turned off vehicle but the car caught fire and the entire front end burned.

Filed Aug 21, 2023 · Transmission · 55,137 miles · CA

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 and power train warning lights illuminated. The vehicle lost motive power however, the contact was able to pull over on the side of the road and had the vehicle towed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 55,137. The VIN was not available.

Filed Aug 9, 2023 · Fuel system · TX · fire

Vehicle caught on fire while we were driving.

Filed Jun 15, 2023 · Brakes, Transmission · 2,965 miles · GA

2021 escape purchased on 10/12/21. By the end of October my vehicle began stalling while driving. The transmission was unable to change gears when the vehicle was accelerating or decelerating. While making a right turn my vehicle almost stalled out in front of the oncoming traffic but at the last minute the car accelerated. Next the vehicle started jerking when placed in reverse. When put in reverse a loud grinding sound and jolting / jumping would occur. The jolt and noise sounded and felt like someone had rear ended the vehicle the moment it was placed in reverse. On 11/6/21 while sitting in traffic I smelled something burning and it seemed to be coming from under my hood. Once I arrived to my destination I opened my hood and looked for any signs of a fire /burning but didn’t notice anything unusual. No warnings were displayed on my vehicle so I brushed it off. Finally on 11/18/21 at 2,965 miles my vehicles powertrain failed. After starting my vehicle and putting it in reverse a loud grinding sound and jump occurred. Once in drive the vehicle began to jerk and had difficulty accelerating. By the time I exited the parking lot a power train failure notice was displayed. Ford replaced the transmission and everything was obviously under warranty. The Ford Pass service record stated the following services were performed: transmission, clutch, axel, other. It is my understanding the entire transmission was replaced. These issues were and still are very concerning given the fact a brand new car experienced power train failure after 2,965 miles. 6/15/23: brakes are ridiculously loud when braking in reverse, brakes make grinding/ scrubbing sound, black break dust on back rims, oh and a new recall for possible fuel injector crack. Rather than addressing the actual fuel injector problem Ford will install a drainage tube to divert fuel away from the engine (*if/ when the fuel injector cracks) and add engenie software to alert drivers when fuel rail pressure has dropped.

Filed Feb 20, 2022 · MI · fire

It was a four month old car. I was driving and the engine coolant light came on. I traveled an additional 1/4 of a mile and another driver pulled up next to me and said that my car was on fire. I pulled off to the side of the road, and within about a minute, the entire car was engulfed in flames. I was fortunate to get out of the vehicle uninjured, and I promptly notified the deal of what had happened.

Filed Jul 27, 2021 · Fuel system · MI · fire

Vehicle was being driven down the road. Vehicle stalled. Check engine light came on. Attempted to restart vehicle but vehicle stalled again. Smelled fuel. Heard a boom then fire ignited. Fire came from the underside of vehicle and flames were rising on driver side of vehicle with black smoke. Attempted to exit vehicle from driver side door but was unable to do so due to flames. Crawled over to passenger side of vehicle and exited the vehicle. Fire department extinguished the fire with water. Fire reignited and fire department extinguished fire again. Insurance company inspected the vehicle but was unable to determine root cause of fire.

Filed Jul 19, 2021 · Engine · OH · fire

The contact’s daughter owned a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an unknown speed, the coolant warning light illuminated. As the contact's daughter began to pull over, she began to lose control of the vehicle as a black smoke started coming from the engine. The vehicle caught on fire once the contact's daughter had exited the vehicle. The fire department arrived at the scene and was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed. There was no injury reported. Due to the failure, the vehicle was initially towed to a tow yard however, the current location of the vehicle was unknown. The contact's daughter notified the dealer of the failure and a week later and she was informed that an investigation would be started. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was unknown.