2011 Ford Escape
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 1,316 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 26 Escape model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 38 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 38 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpOct 26, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured February 26, 2009, to April 29, 2012, and 2010-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured February 25, 2009, to December 12, 2010. On vehicles with a 3.0L engine, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack, causing a fuel leak.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM flange with one that has a redesigned fuel supply port, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 13, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S41.
Campaign 16V777000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, wheel bearingJun 3, 2015
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Campaign 15E045000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemMay 29, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.
Campaign 14V284000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
116 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 2, 2016
I CONTINUE TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY (ETB), UP TO AND INCLUDING THE COMPLETE SHUTDOWN OF THE SYSTEM. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE ABIDED BY ALL SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE ETB RUNS OUT AT 100K (VEHICLE CURRENTLY AT 75K). THERE ARE TIMES THE VEHICLE SHIFTS SO VIOLENTLY THAT ONE WOULD BELIEVE THEY'VE BEEN REAR-ENDED. WHEN I TAKE MY VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP (5 TIMES, 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS), I'M TOLD THEY RE-PROGRAM THE SYSTEM AND TO GIVE IT ANOTHER 500 TO 1000 MILES FOR THE SYSTEM TO RELEARN MY DRIVING HABITS. THE "REBOOT" LASTS BETWEEN 800 TO 1500 MILES ON AVERAGE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE ETB CAN'T BE REPLACED IN ITS ENTIRETY AT THIS POINT.
Electrical system, Engine, May 10, 2016
VEHICLE ENGINE SUDDENLY AND RANDOMLY CUTS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING, IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY, OR SOON AFTER STARTING TO DRIVE, IN MOTION LEAVING A PARKING LOT. THE ACCELERATOR BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE AND THE CAR SPUTTERS TO A STOP. WHEN YOU TRY TO RESTART THE CAR IT TURNS ON AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 15, 2015, fire
VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 4 DAYS IN DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES UNEXPECTEDLY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. A 2014 RECALL RELATED TO THROTTLE BODY IS SUSPICIOUS. RECALL WAS ADDRESSED UNDER CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 13N03.
Electrical system, Structure, Nov 25, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FOBIK KEY WAS DEPRESSED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, THE LIFT GATE FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE LIFT GATE MANUALLY BUT THE ATTEMPT FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Sep 17, 2015
A/C PUMP CYCLES ON AND OFF BUT NO A/C IN SUMMER. IN WINTER -THE DEFROSTER CUTS OUT WHICH I BELIEVE IS A OVERHEATING RESISTER THUS NOT CYCLING THE A/C. ALSO SWITCH IS INOP FOR FAN ON POSITIONS 1 AND 2. I BELIEVE THE SYSTEM " MALFUNCTION" IS A FIRE/ SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS A SAFETY CAMPAIGN BECAUSE OF ALL WEATHER HAZARDS SUCH AS FOG, EXCESSIVE SUMMER TEMPS, AND FREEZING TEMPS WITH CONDENSATION. THANKS
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 27, 2015
MY CAR WILL BE IDLING AND SUDDENLY POWER DOWN. RECENTLY WHILE I HAVE BEEN SLOWING DOWN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, STOP LIGHT, OR BRAKING FOR TRAFFIC IT WILL POWER DOWN. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND THAT HUNDREDS OF OTHER FORD ESCAPE OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE, SOME HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 4 DIFFERENT MECHANICS, 2 OF WHICH ARE FORD DEALERSHIPS AND THEY WORK ON IT CHARGE ME A LOT OF MONEY AND IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. ALMOST A YEAR NOW! I'M FED UP.
Electrical system, Jul 21, 2015
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LATCH SWITCH SAYS IT IS NOT LATCHED, BUT IT IS. THIS CAUSES THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON WHILE DRIVING. HARD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH LIGHTS ON. DANGEROUS. DOORS DO NOT LOCK PROPERLY BECAUSE IT THINKS THE DOOR IS AJAR. I UNDERSTAND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS EXACT ISSUE.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 29, 2015
GOING SOUTH ON I81 TO WATERTOWN, NY. VEHICLE QUIT AND I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. TRACTOR-TRAILER BEHIND ME SWERVED TO MISS ME. ALMOST HIT A CAR COMING OFF THE EXIT RAMP, HAD NO POWER TO EXCELERATE TO GET BY HIM. COULD HAVE BEEN A WOPPER OF AN ACCIDENT.
Electrical system, Air bags, May 5, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A MILD CONCUSSION AND BRUISES TO THE BODY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 7/1/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE LIGHTS FLASHED, IGNITION SYSTEM STALLED, BRAKES FAILED, AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP. UPDATED 9/15/2015 *JS
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 22, 2015
AN O2/EXHAUST SENSOR & FUEL INDUCTION KIT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS SUV HAS ONLY 13700 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE PARTS WERE FAULTY. MY BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY WENT OUT LAST JULY 2014, SO IT WASN'T COVERED. I FEEL THAT FORD NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE IF OTHER VEHICLES HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. I SHOULD ALSO BE REIMBURSED FOR MY COST. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 17, 2015
FROM THE TIME WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE, THE HORN WOULD SOUND WHEN WE HIT A BUMP. THEN IT BEGAN TO FAIL AND NOT SOUND AT ALL. I HAD THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP LOOK AT IT. THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $500 TO REPAIR AND THERE HAD BEEN NO RECALL. WHEN WE PICKED UP OUR VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, THE HORN WOULD NOT SOUND AT ALL. IT HAS NOT SOUNDED SINCE. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Mar 31, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Mar 25, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING OVER 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE AND AN UNKNOWN ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 4, 2015
THE ENGINE HAS STALLED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. SEVERAL OF THE INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED WHEN MAKING A TURN, EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT, AT A LOW SPEED WITH NO PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO EITHER THE GAS OR BRAKE PEDAL. THE MOST RECENT EVENTS HAVE BEEN WHEN TURNING ONTO A STREET WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I MAKE THE TURN AND PRESS ON THE GAS ONLY TO FIND THAT THE ENGINE HAS STALLED. I HAVE TO STOP AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THIS MAKES FOR A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS YOU END UP WITH LITTLE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT HAS ALSO STALLED IN PARKING LOTS WHEN COASTING AT A LOW SPEED WAITING ON ANOTHER CAR. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN MAY OF 2014 AND HAD TO TAKE IT TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP THE VERY NEXT MONTH (JUNE 2014). THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY AND ALSO REPROGRAMMED THE PCM PER THE 13N01 RECALL. WITHIN TWO MONTHS, THE ISSUE WAS BACK, THIS IS JANUARY OF 2015, AND THE ISSUE HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE. I HAVE READ THAT IT COULD BE A TYPE OF RELAY SWITCH LOCATED IN THE UNDER-THE-HOOD FUSE BOX. IF FORD DOESN'T FIX THIS ISSUE, THERE WILL EVENTUALLY BE WRECKS AND POSSIBLE FATALITIES. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 5, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,500.
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Oct 31, 2014
WHILE DRIVING ALONG MY FORD ESCAPE SUDDENLY REFUSED TO ACCELERATE, I WAS HOLDING THE GAS TO THE FLOOR AND IT WOULDN'T BUDGE. IT WAS IDLING STRANGELY AND SURGING. A WRENCH SYMBOL APPEARED IN THE SCREEN ON THE DASH. I WAS ON A HILL AND WAS UNABLE TO PULL OF THE ROAD. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. I WAITED A FEW MOMENTS AND RESTARTED THE ESCAPE, IT WENT AND THEN CONTINUED TO DECELERATE ONCE AGAIN. I WILL BE TAKING THIS BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED. BUT I AM VERY CONCERNED, UPON RESEARCHING THE ISSUE I FOUND MANY MORE COMPLAINTS ONLINE. WHY HASN'T THIS ISSUE BEEN RECALLED? IT IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS AND IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE ESCAPE CUTS OFF AT THE WRONG TIME AND GETS SOMEONE KILLED. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE IT BECOME AN EPIDEMIC LIKE THE CHEVY COBALT. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 8, 2014
AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR LOST IT THROTTLE. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN BUT I HAD NO ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. I PULLED THE CAR OVER. TURNED IT OFF, THEN BACK ON AND THE CAR APPEARED TO SHOW NO ISSUES. ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER THE ISSUE APPEARED AGAIN. SAME SOLUTION. FROM MY RESEARCH THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE AND COULD VERY MUCH ENDANGER ANYONE IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 26, 2014
ENTERED LEFT TURN LANE TO APPROACH OFF RAMP, TRUCK STALLED. APPX 40MPH. TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, DROVE HOME. HAD NOTICED JUMPING RESPONSE FROM IDLE TO REVERSE TO DRIVE, PARTICULARLY UPON FIRST IGNITION OF DAY, FOR ABOUT A WEEK. HAVE CONTACTED DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR OF NOTED THROTTLE BODY ISSUE, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR 1 WEEK FROM TODAY. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 4, 2014
DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY AT 85 MILES PER HOUR. VEHICLE STALLS AND RPMS OR MPH WON'T MOVE. PULL OVER PUT IN PARK, VEHICLE SHAKES REAL BAD AND WRENCH COMES ON. TURN OFF AND RESTART, WRENCH DROPS OFF. 50 MILES DOWN THE ROAD SAME INSTANCE, EXCEPT AFTER RESTARTING WRENCH DROPS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. BRING TO DEALERSHIP. THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM STUCK OPEN AND THEY SAY POSSIBLE RECALL. WEEK LATER GOING 65 DOWN HIGHWAY AND SAME INSTANCE HAPPENS. TAKE IT TO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY WE HAVE THROTTLE BODY RECALL, THEY RECALIBRATE THE RECALL. NOW VEHICLE DOESN'T ALWAYS SWITCH RPMS WHEN IT'S SUPPOSED TO. IT'LL JERK BEFORE SHIFTING AND THEN WRENCH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON. BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL AND POSSIBLE NEW THROTTLE BODY DOWN THE ROAD. SPENT ALMOST 1000 DOLLARS ON RECALL IN LAST COUPLE MONTHS AND NOW THEY TELLING US THE RECALL WAS JUST A RECALIBRATION AND BUT MIGHT NEED A NEW THROTTLE BODY?? WHAT WAS THE RECALL FOR. FRUSTRATED WITH FORD. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Jul 25, 2014
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO BE SERVICED AND AFTER THAT THE CONTROL MODULE FOR THE AIRBAGS WENT OUT. THE PART HAD TO BE ORDERED AND WHILE WE WERE ON VACATION THE STEERING BEGAN LOCKING UP AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS BEGAN SHOWING DISABLED. ALSO, THE CAR BEGAN SAYING TO RESYNC SOMETHING BECAUSE THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW WHEN IT WAS JUST FINE. AFTER RETURNING FROM VACATION AND THE STEERING COLUMN TOTALLY LOCKING UP SEVERAL TIMES, THE DEALERSHIP NOW TELLS US THAT ADDITIONAL CONTROL MODULES ARE OUT. WHEN THE STEERING LOCKS IT REQUIRES STOPPING NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE AT AND TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE TO RESET AND THEN STARTING IT AGAIN. THIS PROBABLY HAPPENED A DOZEN OR MORE TIMES ON BUSY HIGHWAYS. THIS VEHICLE IS ROUGHLY THREE YEARS OLD AND THEY CAN'T EVEN SAY WHY THE MODULES ARE CONTINUING TO GO OUT AND IF FIXING THEM WILL EVEN SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO INDICATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL ISSUE COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL ON CURVY ROADS. I SPOKE WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID TO BAD, THIS IS NOT ON THEIR LIST OF ITEMS THAT THEY HAVE TO FIX. THEY WILL LET ENGINEERING KNOW BUT NO GUARANTEE THAT THEY WILL EVEN RESPOND TO THIS ISSUE. WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN IN THIS CASE AS THIS IS GOING TO COST ROUGHLY $2500 - $3500 TO FIX AND NOTHING TO SAY IT WON'T GO OUT AGAIN. I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE GO OUT ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE LET ALONE AFTER 3 YEARS AND FORD IS NOT HELPFUL. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 7, 2014
I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN I LOST POWER STEERING, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE THE TURN, THE ABS LIGHT, ADVANCETRAC LIGHT AND THE ADVANCETRAC OFF LIGHT ALL STARTED FLASHING. I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR 1 1/2 HOURS, WHEN I TRIED TO LEAVE THE CAR WOULD NOT START. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 8, 2014
LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED, 70 MILES PER HOUR, DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. MY WIFE HAD TO PULL OVER TO BREAKDOWN LANE AND TURN OFF ENGINE, ON I-95 IN WEST PALM BEACH FL AREA. WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE RESTARTED, AFTER A FEW MINUTES WAITING AT SIDE OF VERY BUSY HIGHWAY. SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED WITHIN TWO WEEKS. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION!!!!!! 2011 FORD ESCAPE LTD 3 L V6. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 20, 2013
AFTER INTERMITTENT 3 TIMES IN 2 WEEKS, HAD THROTTLE BODY CLEANED 12/14/2013 PER FORD TSB. ON THIS DATE, 12/16/13 IT FAILED AGAIN AND HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. FORD WOULD NOT COVER IT AFTER 36,000 OR 3 YEARS AS OUT OF WARRANTY. IT WAS AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS CONDITION NOT TO REPLACE. THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY FOR REPLACEMENT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Engine, Nov 25, 2013
NHTSA ACTION NUMBER - DP12006 VEHICLE STALLS GOING 65 MPH. ISSUE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY WHY???? WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE?????? *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Nov 10, 2013
WHILE DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY, MY GAS PEDAL SUDDENLY BECAME COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE. WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO COAST OFF TO SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND SUV BEGAN TO IDLE EXTREMELY ROUGHLY. RESTARTED VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME WITHOUT ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS. RESEARCHED ISSUE TODAY AND FOUND NUMEROUS EXAMPLES OF THIS PROBLEM. ISSUE SHOULD BE RECALLED!! *TR