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: power train
268 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, May 2, 2025
While driving, the power steering assist intermittently fails without warning. This makes steering very difficult and creates a serious safety hazard, especially at low speeds or during turns. The issue can be temporarily resolved by turning the engine off and restarting the vehicle, but it recurs unpredictably. There are no warning lights or error messages displayed on the dashboard. This is a known issue on this model year and may relate to a defective EPS (electric power steering) module. Please investigate.
Power train, Nov 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact attempted to make a right turn however, the power steering failed, and the steering wheel became difficult to steer in either direction. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to an unknown recall however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.
Power train, Jan 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that there might have been a recall on the vehicle for the transmission. The manufacturer was notified, and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated when the vehicle was parked the key was inserted into the ignition approximately five times before the vehicle started. Additionally, the contact stated on three occasions while driving at various speeds the steering wheel became stiff. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and restarted. The vehicle was taken to a independent dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition cylinder switch and torque sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000. .
Power train, Jul 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the front driver side wheel seized and would not release. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fractured wheel dimension as a result the dimensions needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,899.
Steering, Power train, Feb 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while her husband was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle shuddered significantly and made abnormal knocking sounds. Additionally, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's husband veered to the side road and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated upon restarting the vehicle, the power steering became operable. The contact's husband was able to drive to the residence; however, the failure reoccurred intermittently while driving. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the recall due to the manufacture date. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
Power train, Sep 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after turning off the cruise control to reduce the speed from 65 MPH to 60 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal to adjust the speed and then depressed the accelerator pedal to readjust the cruise control however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact then coasted to the side of the road and shifted the vehicle into park(P) then to drive(D), reverse(R) and then neutral(N) while depressing the accelerator pedal however, the failure persisted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called Roadside Assistance who was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.
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
Steering, Power train, May 14, 2021
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Mar 23, 2021
I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND WHEEL ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE WHEN UP INTO WHEEL WELL. ALMOST HIT ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN I LOST ALL STEERING. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP VIA TOW TRUCK AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY ROTTEN AT 87,000 MILES DRIVER SIDE IS NOT FAR FROM BREAKING I WAS TOLD REPAIRS WOULD COST AS MUCH AS THE VEHICLE IS WORTH
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.
Power train, May 15, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT GEAR, AND FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN FORD DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Power train, Oct 27, 2019
TRANSFER CASE OVERHEATING AND DUMPING LUBRICANT ON TRANSMISSION/DRIVERS SIDE AXLE SPRAYING ALL OVER.
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 17, 2019
ESCAPE WOULD NOT START ON 10/14/19. MADE CLICKING NOISE BUT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. CHECKED BATTERY WHICH INDICATED LOW VOLTAGE. REPLACED BATTERY ON 10/15/19. ON 10/17/19, ATTEMPTED TO START CAR. ALL LIGHTS CAME ON BUT NO SOUND WAS HEARD AND ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. CHECKED NEW BATTERY WHICH WAS WITHIN LIMITS. CHECKED SYMPTOMS ONLINE AND FOUND ISSUE TO BE FAULTY NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH. UPON FURTHER SEARCH, FOUND NUMEROUS OWNERS OF 2008-2012 FORD ESCAPE AND MERCURY MARINERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THIS IS NOT A FACTORY RECALL IF IT IS HAPPENING THIS OFTEN.
Power train, Sep 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER TRAIN INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000. *BF VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VALLEY FORD (WAVERLY, OH) WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE AIR FILTER HOSE KEPT COMING OFF BECAUSE IT WAS TOO SHORT. CONSUMER STRETCHED THE HOSE TO KEEP IT FROM COMING OFF. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS MIGHT BE THE CAUSE OF THE THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. *DL
Power train, Sep 5, 2019
A KNOWN COMMON PROBLEM ON 2001-2012 FORD ESCAPE AWD MODELS: THE TRANSFER CASE ON AWD MODELS IS MOUNTED NEAR THE EXHAUST WHICH BAKES AND DRIES LUBRICATION GREASE IN THE TRANSFER CASE RESULTING IN BEARING FAILURE AND LOCK-UP CONDITIONS WHICH CAN CAUSE A CRASH AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
Power train, Aug 19, 2019
FORD PART BL8Z-7251-A IN 2001-2012 ESCAPE/MERCURY MARINER/MAZDA TRIBUTE,& SIMILARLY DESIGNED FORD EXPLORER,EDGE, TAURUS, AND SEVERAL MAZDA--ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND 4X4 MODELS ARE MADE WITH KNOWN DEFECTIVE TRANSFERCASES/AUTOMOBLIE DESIGN. THE ENGINE EXHAUST IS PLACED TOO CLOSE TO THE GEAR CASE WHICH DRIES THE LUBRICANT WITHIN (12 OZ.). MASSIVE BEARING FAILURE CAN OCCUR AT ANY MOMENT DESTROYING THE TRANSFER CASE, CAUSING A LOCKUP CONDITION, THE CASE OR DRIVE SHAFT CAN BREAK FREE AND RESULT IN A CRASH.
Steering, Power train, Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2019
I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED EDITION AND ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I WAS GOING AT A GREAT AMOUNT OF SPEED THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY THE DASH WENT BLACK AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND EVERYTHING I WAS ABLE TO STOP I RESTARTED CAR IT STARTED BACK UP
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, Apr 2, 2019
FLAT TOWING, ALL FOUR WHEELS ON GROUND, SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD, TOWED IN TO DEALERSHIP, TOLD TRANSMISSION WAS BURNED UP. IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE IF LET GO. 86986 MILES ON 2011 ESCAPE. HAVE BEEN FLAT TOWING BEHIND MOTORHOME FOR MORE THAN FOUR YEARS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD STAND BEHIND THIS.
Power train, Mar 28, 2019
TRANSMISSION BROKE WHILE FLAT TOWING.
Power train, Mar 6, 2019
I BOUGHT AN RV LAST YEAR AND DECIDED TO PULL IT BEHIND MY RV. I CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON WHAT PROCEDURE IN NEEDED TO DO TO PULL MY 2011 FORD ESCAPE ON ALL FOUR WHEELS BEHIND MY RV AND SO I FOLLOWED THE MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS AND DID SO. WELL I GOT ABOUT 300 MILES FROM MY HOUSE AND THE TRANSMISSION BURNS UP! I HAVE CONTACTED FMCO AND THEY ARE GIVEN ME THE RUN AROUND AND NOT WANTING TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY TRANSMISSION WHICH I TOTALLY DISAGREE BECAUSE I FOLLOWED THE MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS.
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
Power train, Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Feb 14, 2019
THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME I AM REPLACING WHEEL BEARING IN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THIS CAUSES THE WHEEL TO SHAKE. I CANT AFFORD TO CONTINUE TO PUT MONEY INTO A VEHICLE WITH SUCH LOW MILES AND EVERY 6 MONTHS. ALSO REAR WIPER MOTOR BURNT OUT DUE TO A LEAKY SEAL OR POOR SEAL FROM FORD.