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: steering
409 reports, newest first. Show all
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
Steering, Aug 9, 2019
I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE MY FORD ESCAPE STEERING FIXED, NOW THERE IS A RECALL AND MY DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THERE IS TO A RECALL, WHICH THERE IS. I WAS DOING AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A ARIGHT HAND TURN AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT.
Steering, Jun 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-50 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE CONTACT CALLED PEACOCK FORD (1875 S ORLANDO AVE, MAITLAND, FL 32751, (407) 644-7111) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOWED SYMPTOMS OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000. *BF UPDATED; CONTACT HAS STATED THAT THE STEERING ALSO SEIZED TWICE WHILE THEIR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING.*AS
Steering, Jun 6, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIME UNTIL THE STEERING WAS ABLE TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOWNE FORD OF REDWOOD CITY (LOCATED AT 1601 EL CAMINO REAL, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063, (650) 366-5744) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING RACK SENSOR, TWO COLUMN BOLTS, AND THE EPA SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,889.
Steering, May 14, 2019
A KNOCK STARTED IN MY STEERING COLUMN. I GOT INCREASINGLY WORSE. MY STEERING BECAME JERKY AND UNCONTROLLABLE. I WAS ABLE TO GET MY TRUCK TO A REPAIR SHOP. THEY FOUND THE STEERING COLUMN BAD. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE TRUCK THAT THIS STEERING COLUMN HAS GONE BAD. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF I DID NOT LEARN FROM THE FIRST RECALL. TWO TIMES WITH THE SAME PART AND PROBLEM. I DO NOT THINK THIS WAS FIXED AND A CONTINUED INVESTIGATION INTO THE STEERING COLUMN SHOULD EXIST.
Steering, May 10, 2019
TAKATA RECALL, I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY CAR STARTED SHAKING VERY BAD AND MADE MY CAR SWERVE SO I GOT SCARED AND IT SHOOK FOR A WHILE FINALLY THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN AND THE MESSAGE "POWER ASSIST FAULT" SHOWED UP ON MY DASHBOARD.
Steering, May 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
Steering, May 7, 2019
MY POWER STEERING HAS BEEN FREQUENTLY GOING OUT, PARTICULARLY WHEN I AM TRYING TO ACCELERATE MY VEHICLE. THE WHEEL BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN AND I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR TO RESET THE POWER STEERING ABILITY.
Steering, Apr 26, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *DT *TR*JB
Steering, Apr 2, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) BY AN UNKNOWN DEALER, BUT THE REPAIR WAS INSUFFICIENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHAFT TORQUE SENOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Steering, Mar 16, 2019
POWER STEERING FAILURE. (THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE, HOWEVER FORD IS NOT HONORING MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE, YET THE SAME FAILURE IS OCCURING WITH MY VEHICLE.
Steering, Mar 12, 2019
FAILED POWER STEERING. THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM ON MY ESCAPE HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. I HAD JUST LEFT A PARKING LOT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE CAR GOT VERY HARD TO TURN. IT WAS ACTING LIKE THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FAILED. SO, FEELING COMFORTABLE ENOUGH THAT I KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG, I DROVE HOME TO GET OUR OTHER VEHICLE. NOW AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A TRADITIONAL POWER STEERING PUMP, BUT RATHER AN ELECTRONIC SYSTEM. I AM SHOCKED THAT I MADE IT HOME NOW THAT I KNOW THAT THE SYSTEM WAS FIGHTING MY ATTEMPTS TO TURN, NOT JUST SIMPLY NOT SUPPLYING POWER ASSISTANCE. I UNDERSTAND THAT OTHER VINS OF MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED DUE TO ISSUES WITH THIS SYSTEM, BUT MINE IS NOT COVERED. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO OTHER VINS OF ESCAPE. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE KNOWING THAT THIS. PRIOR TO THIS TOTAL FAILURE, WE HAD EXPERIENCED THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING AND MOTOR RPM REDUCTION. THIS LET ME TO THINK THAT IT WAS A TRADITIONAL POWER STEERING PUMP. I DID NOT TAKE ACTION BECAUSE NO WARNING CODES OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WERE DISPLAYED AND I WAS NOT HEARING THE TELL TALE WHINE OF A FAILING POWER STEERING PUMP.
Steering, Feb 27, 2019
STEERING GOES IN AND OUT MAKING I DIFFICULT TO STEER
Steering, Feb 26, 2019
I DROVE FOR APPROX. 1 HR AND THEN STOPPED AT A GROCERY STORE, TURNING OFF MY VEHICLE. AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES, I WENT TO LEAVE AND STARTED MY VEHICLE AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN THIS STATE, FOR APPROX. 1 HR WHILE DRIVING HOME.
Steering, Feb 26, 2019
TWICE WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT, THE LAST ONE ON 2/19/19 WHILE MY NEW DRIVING SON WAS ON THE WAY TO COLLEGE. I TOOK IT TO FORD 2/22/19 AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE $150 JUST TO DIAGNOSE AND MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED VIA VIN FOR THE CURRENT RECALL. I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NTB AND THEY DIAGNOSED ERROR CODE B2278 WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT THE RECALL IS FOR. NTB REFERRED ME BACK TO FORD SINCE THEY SHOULD COVER THIS AND GAVE ME A LETTER SAYING SO. FORD STILL REFUSES TO COVER MY VEHICLE EVEN AFTER NUMEROUS PHONE CALLS. I JUST FINISHED MAKING AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY FORD SERVICE CENTER WHO ARE GOING TO CHARGE $600 TO REPLACE THE TORQUE SENSOR. THEY ARE ASKING FOR 1.5 DAYS TO REPAIR.
Steering, Feb 13, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HIS DESTINATION AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORD OF ORANGE (LOCATED AT 1350 W KATELLA AVE, ORANGE, CA 92867, (888) 721-6635) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE LOCATED. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
Steering, Feb 11, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN MAKING TURNS, THE STEERING FAILED AND THE CONTACT WOULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
Steering, Jan 30, 2019
STOPPED AT A STOPPED SIGNED PULLED OUT SLOWLY TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED UP THEN CORRECTED A FEW SECONDS LATER. A WEEK LATER AT A STOP SIGN SLOWLY PULLED OUT TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND I DRIFTED INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC WITH NO CONTROL AND HIT A CURB THEN STARTING STEERING CORRECTLY. I AM SO THANKFUL NO ONE WAS HURT OR WORSE. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN THE SAME DAY TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND HAVE IT SERVICED. I WAS TOLD THEY RECEIVED CODE B227B WHICH WHEN I RESEARCH FALLS UNDER THE FOLLOWING/ RECALL NUMBER 14V284000 RECALL DATE 05/29/2014 COMPONENT STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM SUMMARY 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. CONSEQUENCE 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 I WAS TOLD MY VIN # IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL.
Steering, Jan 28, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER ASSIST FAILURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL AND DRIVE HOME SAFELY. THE DEALER (LYNCH FORD CHEVROLET INC, 410 US-30, MT VERNON, IA 52314, (319)-895-8500) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Steering, Jan 25, 2019
POWER STEERING SENSOR DEFECTIVE. POWER STEERING FAILED AFTER MAKING A TURN 3 TIMES.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 25, 2019
TAKATA RECALL.... CHECKED VIN WITH NHTSA AND SAW RECALL INFORMATION. TODAY, I WOULD FEEL SAFER IF THIS ISSUE WAS FIXED.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 17, 2019
WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL ERROR LIGHTS APPEARED ON MY DASH FOLLOWED BY CLICKING NOISES. SHORTLY AFTER MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I WAS MAKING A TURN AT A MODERATE SPEED AND THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE BUT IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND I STRAINED MYSELF AND PULLED SEVERAL UPPER BODY MUSCLES IN THE PROCESS. I AM A SMALL WOMAN AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO MANUALLY TURN THE WHEEL. I HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE BUT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THIS PART. EVEN THOUGH MY VIN IS NOT SHOWING ITS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. IT IS A 2011 ESCAPE AND I BELIEVE THERE ARE MORE VEHICLES INCLUDING MINE, THAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. THE DEFECTIVE PART ALMOST CAUSE A TRAGIC ACCIDENT, AND ALTHOUGH I AVOIDED THAT, I DID INJURE MYSELF IN AN EFFORT TO STEER MY VEHICLE WITHOUT THE ASSIST OF THE POWER STEERING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY ENGAGED TWICE WITHIN A WEEK OF IT ORIGINALLY GOING OUT. BOTH TIMES IT REINGAGED WHILE I WAS TURNING MY VEHICLE AND AGAIN THIS SUDDEN CHANGE ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. I'VE NOW HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO REPLACE THIS PART AND I FEEL THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 14, 2019
THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INCIDENTS WITH THIS VEHICLE WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SEIZE AND LOSE OF ACCELERATION WHEN MAKING SHARP TURNS . DURING THESE INCIDENTS WE WOULD RESTART THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD START WORKING AGAIN.
Steering, Jan 14, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP, THE STEERING LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB BELL FORD (410-766-3600, LOCATED AT 7125 RITCHIE HWY, GLEN BURNIE, MD 21061) WHO STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,000.
Steering, Jan 10, 2019
THE TRUCK HAS A LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. WHEN GOING IN SLOW SPEEDS, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. WHEN SPEED INCREASES, IT BECOMES LESS DIFFICULT TO TURN, HOWEVER IT IS STILL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. ON THE STREET FOR EXAMPLE, TURNING IN THE NEXT LANE CAN BE A BIT OF A HASSLE AND MAKING SHAP TURNS OR U-TURNS ARE IMPOSSIBLE.