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: engine
263 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Feb 7, 2026
I purchased this vehicle on 10/16/25 through Affordable Auto Sales 692 Pleasant St Fall River Ma as it is a buy here pay here. It had 97,626 miles on it day of purchase. I noticed trouble with power steering as it is electric and kept locking up and asked several times to fix it. It didn't get repaired until the week before Christmas. On 1-10-26, took it for first oil change and it had 100,837 miles in total I put 3,211 miles on it. The mechanic called me into the garage and showed me 3 things that were critically wrong with the vehicle. It had severe rot in front and rear, mostly rear, the transmission had a significant leak, and the power steering was still not properly fixed. The mechanic informed me that the dealership had not done their safety inspection and this was deemed an unsafe vehicle and I should not be driving it. I brought it to the attention of Affordable Auto sales and they are accusing me of the damage. The owner Lucy Sousa also changed the mileage on the paperwork saying I put 20,000 on itinerary 2 months time. She changed it to 82,294 which is false. I have my inspection report to show accurate mileage. I no longer have this vehicle. I returned it to them. I bought another vehicle from a different dealer.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and jerked, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was diagnosed by Roadside Assistance as a failure with the alternator. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed as it was confirmed that the alternator had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The dealer was not contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,499.
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Engine, May 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering failed to work as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with EGR valve failure. The contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contacted stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The dealer confirmed that the vehicle was not included the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 15, 2023
Discovered my car has electric power steering not seeing a reservoir did some research and seen that there were a lot of 2011 Ford Escapes with safety recalls three being the main problems I've had with my car since I began financing it almost 4 years ago my last payment is in 2 weeks. Went to leave a driveway and within a few seconds my steering wheel locked up and I thought it was strange that's when I found out I have electric power steering and that there has been recalls turned the car off turn to back on and it was just fine. Found out that is a common thing although it may not be considered a safety recall just yet but I would believe it is a major problem because anytime in my life if I was to believe my power steering was failing me I would still have control over the wheel but this thing locks up as if I ain't going nowhere. I seen that there has been recalls for fuel systems front wheel bearings and electric power steering. My engine light has been on for a very long time and people say it's because of the O2 sensor causing a misfire to appear random. My front wheels kind of knock making me think it could be between the rack axle and bearing. Other than that my radio face button stopped working one day as if they were possessed until they completely shut off and I have no access to it besides the steering wheel components. Rear wiper stuck in the up position one day was causing a tick I could hear with no power and no key in the ignition that caused my battery to die several times 2 years in a row. Realized unplugging my rear wiper made it quit but I can't use my front washer fluid without it being unplugged. And my AC Open Air Max AC and heating cooling climate control buttons work but the blower only works on high making me think yet another electrical issue being the blower speed regulator is bad. I would say these are safety issues package together. This website says I have 0unrepaired recalls. Might try fix it with a torque sensor/calling dealership.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 23, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. Additionally, while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle was shaking abnormally, with an abnormal burning metallic odor outside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the ignition coil for cylinder #2 had melted and a computer failure also occurred. No further information was available. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 25, 2022
Back in June, I took my vehicle to have it checked out. When I accelerate, the SUV would feel like it was dragging something under the tires and riding very rough and bumpy, actually the vehicle was shaking while driving, then it would stop when I slow down. Even when I turn off the engine for a few hours and then drive it, its fine. No warning lights on dashboard. Fred Beans replaced spark plugs, changed filters, cleaned throttle body, oil change. Now it 's doing the same thing. If I am idle in park with AC on for a few minutes, it does it. Sometimes after I fill it with fuel, it does it. As far as I am know, they never checked the fuel pump. SUV shakes for about 2 minutes then stops. It feels as though I am getting a flat in all tires.
Steering, Power train, Engine, Aug 6, 2022
When I turn at slows down and stalls. Nearly cuts off
Engine, Jul 26, 2022, fire
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, he heard abnormal knocking sounds coming from the engine. The oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled to the nearby gas station where an independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the engine had thrown a rod and there were metal shavings in the engine oil. The contact stated the failure increased significantly while driving at 50 MPH. The contact veered to the side of the road and unlocked the doors. Another driver informed the contact that there there was a fire underneath the vehicle. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. There were no injuries sustained. The contact stated upon towing the vehicle there was a significant amount of oil leaked from the oil pan onto the tow truck vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine blew up and had shattered. The dealer diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced and additional repairs needed to be completed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.
Steering, Wheels, Engine, Jun 24, 2022, crash
got rear ended/t-boned in january 2022 at low rate of speed, started having issues for the first time since 2011, check engine light comes on periodically since the accident, power steering has gone in and out periodically since the accident, engine seems to stumble periodically since March 2022, AC has never worked since 2011, recently (june 3rd 2022) the tire pressure sensor light has come on despite air pressure being adequate in all 4 tires, took car to a collision specialist and they repaired cosmetic damages but cleared 3 codes and did not repair/resolve any of the actual issues affecting drivability and safety because they could not attribute it to the mechanism of accident, took the print out of codes in to my normal mechanic when I got the tires and oil changed June 3rd 2022 and he said if there were no active codes I would have to take it to the dealership, yesterday June 24th 2022 while waiting for a light to change the car pedals suddenly stopped working, car stayed idling at a stop while still in drive, would not work even when shifted into park, drive, or reverse, air still blowed, music still playing, a horrid smell started to fill the car, turned everything completely off and turned hazards on and waited for 2 minutes then turned the car back, car resumed working with tire pressure light still on and smell still coming out of engine. Car now smells constantly of putrid burning plastic/carpet and stumbles frequently, had the car stumbled while at a high rate of speed during rush hour, both mine, my infant son, and the other drivers lives' could've been devastated or lost. These are the codes they reset at time of incident/repair 1) ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM: C1963-20 - STABILITY CONTROL INHIBIT WARNING 2) ACCESORY PROTOCOL INTERFACE MODULE: U3000-04 -CONTROL MODULE - SYSTEM INTERNAL FAILURES 3) POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE: B2278-2F - STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR MALFUNCTION
Power train, Engine, Oct 13, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING UP HILL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUT-OFF WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR, AND OIL DELIVERY SENSOR WERE REPLACED ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH A REPRESENTATIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 128,000.
Engine, Feb 14, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK FUEL FILL INLET MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THE OIL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. CAPITOL CITY FORD 8623 E WASHINGTON ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46219 317) 898-0700, WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
Electrical system, Wheels, Engine, Jan 15, 2020
I HAVE ONLY OWNED MY PRE-OWNED VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE DRIVER SIDE FRONT BEARING 2X'S, REAR WIPER MOTOR TWICE AND NOW VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE IN MOTION AND AT STOPS FOR TRAFFIC LIGHTS. I HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN FORDS AND FEEL THAT THIS IS SOMETHING WITH THE ASSEMBLY LINE BECAUSE I LEARNED OF ANOTHER FROM THE SAME ASSEMBLY LINE THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 23, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 62 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STOPPED, TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE FOR IT TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 16, 2019
MY 2011 FORD ESCAPE XLT 2.5L IS STALLING WHILE DRIVING, STOPPED, TURNING. THE RPM'S ARE JUMPY. CAR STALLS WITH FOOT ON THE GAS IN MID DRIVE! REPLACED THE CANISTER PURGE VALVE AS DIAGNOSED. NOT THE FIX.
Power train, Engine, Feb 21, 2019
TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 128000.MILES AND COST US 3500.00 AND WE ONLY OWNED IT FOR LESS THAN A YEAR
Engine, Aug 21, 2018
CAR SHUTS DOWN AT ALMOST ANY SPEED WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, THE ENGINE GOES IN TO LIMP MODE, AND IT VERY DANGEROUSLY FORCES YOU TO EXIT THE ROAD QUICKLY. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 VERY REPUTABLE SERVICE SHOPS (AND PAID THEM TO FIX IT), AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPAIR IT. BASED ON THE # OF REPORTED ISSUES WITH THIS PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE, FORD NEEDS TO QUICKLY FIX THIS AND MAKE IT RIGHT AT NO CHARGE.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 3, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (WOODRUM FORD LINCOLN, 3100 E JACKSON ST, MACOMB, IL 61455, (309) 833-2111) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: CAS-14730966. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TT *JS
Engine, Mar 8, 2018
LOUD CLICKING NOISE. LOUDER WITH TIME. MECHANIC STATES CRACK BETWEEN CYLINDERS. MOTOR HAS TO BE REPLACED.
Engine, Mar 5, 2018
I DON'T REMEMBER EXACTLY WHEN THE PROBLEM ACCURED, JUST ONE DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY SAID IT MIGHT BE THE FUEL FLAP. AS TIME WENT ON NOTHING SEEMED TO NOT BE WORKING. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TODAY AND TURNS OUT THE ENGINE MOUNTING BRACKET IS CRACKED. CALL FORD AND TEY WANT ME TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. PROBLEM IS THIS IS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM NOT SOMETHING I HAVE DONE. NOTLIKE THEYVE EVER HONORED A WARRENTY IN THE PAST WITH ME ANY WAY. TO THEM ITS ALWAYS USER ERROR EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MORE DAMAGED THAN I LEFT IT WITH THEM.
Power train, Engine, Aug 7, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE INDEPENDENTLY REVVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (NORRIS FORD, 901 MERRITT BLVD, BALTIMORE, MD 21222) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 19, 2017
I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TURNIG OFF OUR STREET AND DRIVING A SHORT DISTANE UP OUR DRIVEWAY TO PARK OUTSIDE OUR GARAGE WHEN MY VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD INTO THE GARAGE DOING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE CONTENTS AND STRUCTURE. I THEN BACKED THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE TO AVOID FURTHER DAMAGE.SINCE I HAD THE DISTINCT IMPRESSION THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERPOWERINHG THE BRAKES I DECIDED TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IT WAS THEN I DETERMINED THAT TONGUE OF THE BOAT TRAILER HAD SEVERED THE FILTER ON THE VEHICLE ENGINE SPURTING THE CONTENTS OF THE OIL SUMP ON THE DRIVEWAY AND THE TRAILER WAS IMPALED IN THE GRILL OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS ALSO OBSERVED THAT THE TRAILER HAD PROPELLED THE HIGH PRESSURE WASHER STORED ALONGSIDE IT WHEN THE TRAILER WAS PULLED FROM THE GARAGE BY THE VEHICLE.07
Power train, Engine, Jun 3, 2017
THIS 2011 FORD ESCAPE IS MY SON'S CAR. WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN 2015. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 69,000 MILES. IN APRIL 2017 MY SON COMPLAINED OF THE CAR SURGING WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT. WE DROVE THE CAR THAT NIGHT AND COULD NOT GET IT TO DUPLICATE THIS ISSUE. A MONTH LATER HE CALLED ME AND STATED THE CAR SURGED AGAIN WHILE STOPPED IN A TURN LANE. HE MADE IT TO A SIDE STREET BUT WITHIN 50 YARDS THE CAR CAME TO A SCREECHING STOP. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. ENDED UP WITH A SEIZED TRANSMISSION. WE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN MAY 2017. WITHIN A WEEK THE CAR IS NOW BECOMING UNRESPONSIVE AND STILL SURGING WHILE STOPPED. HE HAS TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR AGAIN. WHEN STOPPED THE CAR ENGINE IS SHUTTING DOWN. TODAY THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE AT A STOP. TODAY I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND CAME ACROSS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY ISSUE IN FORD ESCAPES INCLUDING THE 2011 MODEL. I FEEL THAT THIS ETB ISSUE WAS THE DIRECT CAUSE OF THE SEIZURE OF THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS CAR. I SPENT $2500 ON A NEW TRANSMISSION AND STILL HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR ACTING THE SAME WAS AS BEFORE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION ON A CAR DRIVEN BY AN 18 YEAR OLD. HE COULD HAVE EASILY SURGED INTO ANOTHER CAR OR PEDESTRIAN. A RECALL WAS THE ONLY SOLUTION THE NHTSA SHOULD HAVE ACCEPTED FROM FORD ON THIS ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED THE $2500 FOR THE NEW TRANSMISSION THAT THIS FAULTY PART HAS CAUSED.
Engine, May 30, 2017
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON EXIT RAMP FROM HIGHWAY TRAVELING AROUND 45 MPH WHEN ENGINE AND POWER SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO STEER AND STOP THE CAR (POWER STEERING HAD SHUT OFF). RADIO REMAINED ON, BUT DASHBOARD DISPLAY WAS OFF. ONCE CAR WAS STOPPED, CAR RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. SEVERAL SIMILAR REPORTS ABOUT FORD ESCAPES WITH THIS PROBLEM JUST WITHIN THE PAST FEW MONTH. VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS NO WARNING LIGHTS AND AT HIGH SPEED. COULD BE RELATED TO ONGOING NHTSA INVESTIGATION (DP15-001) OPEN SINCE 2015 WITH NO RESOLUTION. NO PREVIOUS HISTORY OF PROBLEMS AND CAR WAS SERVICED LESS THAN ONE MONTH AGO.
Engine, May 8, 2017
STARTED CAR UP IN DRIVEWAY AND ENGINE REVIVED (RPM'S WENT WAY UP) JUST FOR A FEW SECONDS. DROVE TO DESTINATION PULLED INTO PARKING STALL AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE ENGINE REVIVED UP AGAIN AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP, EVEN WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD OVER THE PARKING BLOCK. THE VEHICLE THEN STOPPED JUST SHORT OF HITTING A TREE.
Engine, Apr 28, 2017
WHEN SLOWING DOWN, VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND COMES TO A STOP. THE ONLY WAY TO RESTORE POWER IS TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET HIT SEVERAL TIMES. ALTHOUGH IT OCCURRED RARELY AT FIRST, NOW IT IS OFTEN . I SAW THE THROTTLE BODY RECALL ON THIS MODEL AND IT DESCRIBES THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE RECALL IS EXPIRED. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND UNSATISFACTORY. PROGRAM 13B17.