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: structure
43 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Apr 3, 2015
THE REAR LIFT GATE SEAL LEAKS AND LEAVE A PUDDLE OF WATER AROUND THE REAR LATCH. SOMETIMES THE CARPET IN THE BACK NEAR THE REAR GATE IS DAMP. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Visibility/wiper, Mar 16, 2015
THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW EXPLODED WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WITH THE GARAGE DOOR CLOSED. HAPPENED SUNDAY AT 6:45 PM WITH AN OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE OF 45 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. CAR HAD BEEN IN THE GARAGE ALL WEEKEND, SINCE FRIDAY EARLY AFTERNOON. NO OUTSIDE INFLUENCE CAUSED THE BREAKAGE TO HAPPEN. GLASS FILLED THE BACK OF THE CAR AND THE ENTIRE BACK OF THE GARAGE. FALLS RIGHT IN LINE WITH NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE11016. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Feb 5, 2015
REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE PARKED AND REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER WORKING. *TR
Structure, Apr 25, 2014
THE REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN. FIRST IT STARTED OFF WITH SOMETIMES OPENING AND THEN NOT OPENING. THEN AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING, IT WOULD OPEN. NOW IT WON'T OPEN AT ALL. WHEN I PUSH ON THE BUTTON TO OPEN THE DOOR, I CAN HEAR IT DOING SOMETHING, BUT THE HATCH REMAINS LOCKED. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Feb 19, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. UPDATED 03/20/14*LJ UPDATED 03/20/2014 *JS
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Dec 10, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE WINDOW WAS FOUND TO BE SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Dec 5, 2013
AT APPROXIMATELY 9:00 AM IN THE MORNING, THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW WAS CLOSED INSTANTLY SHATTERING EVERYWHERE. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Sep 20, 2013, crash
I WAS T-BONED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. THE DAMAGE RESULTED IN $15,500 + RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS. I WENT TO THE ER SUFFERING FROM HEAD TRAUMA. I SUSTAINED A SIGNIFICANT CONCUSSION, WAS OUT OF WORK FOR 1 WEEK. MY AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF. *TR
Steering, Air bags, Structure, Equipment adaptive/mobility, May 15, 2013
AT 2700 MILES THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STARTED TO GO ON AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR A CHECK ON AIRBAG PROBLEM. SUPPOSEDLY FIXED, HOWEVER ONE WEEK LATER HAD TO RETURN VEHICLE TO DEALER DUE TO AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AGAIN GOING ON. PROBLEM SUPPOSEDLY FIXED BY TIGHTENING LOOSE WIRRE CABLES IN CABLE HARNESS BUT ONE MONTH LATER RETURNED VEHICLE AGAIN AS AIR BAG WARNING WAS AGAIN COMING ON AND THERE WAS CONCERN AS WE DIDN'T KNOW IF AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY IF NEEDED OR WORSE MAY DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. ADVISED THAT CAUSE WAS EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE IN WIRE CABLE HARNESS AND DEFECTIVE SENSORS.SINCE THAT TIME THERE HAS BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG READINESS WARNING. IN FALL OF 2012 A NEW PROBLEM STARTED WHICH AT FIRST I THOUGHT MIGHT BE DUE TO LEAVING PARKING BRAKE PARTIALLY ON. STEERING AT 40 MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN BECAME VERY DIFFICULT AND CENTER CONSOLE WARNING LIGHTS AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER PULLING OFF THE ROAD, STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN IN APRIL 2013 WITH VEHICLE STILL UNDER 10,000 MILES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND PROBLEM SUPPOSEDLY FIXED. DROVE ABOUT 6 TO 8 MILES AND PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN WITH WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON AND DIFFICULT TO STEER AT FREEWAY SPEED. RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER AND PICKED UP TWO DAYS LATER WITH PROBLEM SUPPOSEDLY CURED. 4 DAYS LATER ALL WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON AGAIN AND STEERING AS BEFORE WAS DIFFICULT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER AS ALL AGREED IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.AFTER A WEEK OF TESTING AND WORK VEHICLE WAS READY . WAS ADVISED THAT PROBLEM WAS LOOSE WIRES IN CABLE HARNESS AND FAULTY SENSORS. I HAVE NOW BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE ABOUT 2 WEEKS WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEMS BUT AM GREATLY CONCERNED THAT I MAY HAVE PURCHASED A DEFECTIVE AND POSSIBLY DANGEROUS VEHICLE. WHAT PROTECTION DO WE HAVE? *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Feb 12, 2013
CLOSING REAR LIFT GATE AFTER THE CAR REMAINED STATIONARY OVERNIGHT, THE WINDOW SHATTERED ONTO THE GROUND AND INTO THE TRUNK. LOW TEMPERATURE FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE WAS 19 DEG F. SUBSEQUENT CLEAN-UP EFFORTS REVEALED SCRATCHES TO CAR BODY AND RESULTED IN PERSONAL INJURY (LACERATIONS). FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR COST BASED ON VEHICLE MILEAGE, DESPITE EXPLICIT REFERENCE TO PE 11-016 AND TO FORD TECHNICAL SERVICES BULLETIN 10-22-10. *TR
Structure, Jan 11, 2013
IT WAS ABOUT 30 DEGREES AND MY 13 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WENT TO PUT A ITEM IN MY 2011 FORD ESCAPE PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY. UPON CLOSING THE REAR LIFT GATE THE GLASS SHATTERED INTO TINY PIECES. THIS CAUSED SCRATCHES AND OTHER BODY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WHEN THE HYDRAULIC ARMS AND WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY GAVE WAY WHEN THE GLASS SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE IS 2 YEARS OLD AND UNDER WARRANTY. I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND WAS TOLD TO TURN IT INTO MY INSURANCE. NO OTHER HELP WAS OFFERED!!! MIND YOU ITS 30 DEGREES OUT AND I HAVE 2 YOUNG CHILDREN AND LIVE IN A RURAL AREA. I DID AS I WAS TOLD AND REPORTED TO MY INSURANCE CO. THEY TRIED TO HOOK ME UP WITH SEVERAL GLASS PLACES WITH NO LUCK. THE CLOSEST WAS 35 MILES AWAY AND SAID IT WOULD BE ABOUT 2 WEEKS TO GET THE GLASS BECAUSE ITS NOT SOMETHING THEY HAVE IN STOCK. I HAD TO DRIVE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WITH NO REAR WINDOW IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER WITH TWO KIDS JUST TO GET IT COVERED WITH PLASTIC SO I COULD HAVE A CAR TO DRIVE. AM I WRONG TO THINK FORD COULD HAVE DONE MORE TO HELP???? *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jan 7, 2013
AFTER UNLOADING ITEMS FROM REAR CARGO AREA, TAILGATE WAS CLOSED, AND THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW EXPLODED IN MY FACE SPONTANEOUSLY. IT SEEMED AS IF THE RECIPROCATING ARMS PERHAPS DID NOT COLLAPSE COMPLETELY AND WENT THROUGH THE WINDOW. AN INDIVIDUAL WHO ASSISTED IN CLEANING UP THE DEBRIS WAS CUT BY THE GLASS. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Nov 30, 2012
I FILLED MY GAS TANK AT A HOLIDAY GAS STATION/STORE IN ESCANABA, MI ABOUT 6 P.M., NOVEMBER 21 WHILE TRAVELING. I FILLED THE TANK, LOCKED THE VEHICLE, AND WENT INTO THE STORE FOR A SNACK. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE, AN EMPLOYEE WAS SWEEPING UP GLASS FROM MY BACK WINDOW WHICH SHE HEARD EXPLODE. THE WINDOW WAS COMPLETELY GONE. THERE WAS NOTHING AGAINST THE BACK WINDOW OR THE HATCH BACK THAT WOULD CAUSE STRESS. FISHING EQUIPMENT WAS LYING FLAT ON THE FLOOR. I DROVE 200 MILES HOME WITH NO WINDOW. BESIDES THE EMPLOYEE WITNESS, I FILED A POLICE REPORT WITH THE ESCANABA POLICE. I CONTACTED A FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE PICTURES. I SENT DOCUMENTATION ALONG WITH THE PICTURES TO THE DEALERSHIP. THAT WAS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR FORD. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE BODY REPAIR MANAGER TOOK PICTURES AND SENT THEM TO FORD WHO CAME BACK DENYING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON THE GLASS "BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE PROVEN THAT THIS WAS A FORD GLASS DEFECT. I DROVE 200 MILES ROUND TRIP WASTING AN AFTERNOON OF MY TIME. I HAVE CONTACT AND TALKED WITH FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS A HALF DOZEN TIME. I ASKED THE WITNESS TO CALL FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS TO VERIFY THAT I WAS NOT EVEN IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE GLASS EXPLOSION. GLASS FEW FROM 10 TO 15 FEET IN SMALL, DEADLY PIECES. LUCKILY, I OR SOMEONE ELSE WAS NOT STANDING BEHIND THE CAR. I HAVE NOT OPENED THE BACK WINDOW FOR MONTHS FINDING IT EASIER TO REMOVE ITEM BY LIFTING THE HATCHBACK DOOR. IN CONTACTING FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS, I WAS TOLD THAT ONCE A DECISION HAS BEEN MADE, IT COULD NOT BE REVERSED. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE IN AUTHORITY AND WAS TOLD THAT ONCE A DECISION WAS MADE BY FORD, IT COULD NOT BE REVERSED AND WAS GIVEN AN ADDRESS TO WRITE MY COMPLAINT. *TR
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Oct 9, 2012, crash
I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE NEXT TO THE BUILDING WHERE I WORK AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND HIT THE BRICK WALL, BROKE A WINDOW AND DENTED THE BUILDING AC UNIT. DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE HOOD, BUMPER AND GRILLE. COST TO REPAIR $4282.75. *TR SEPTEMBER 25,2012 I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED BECAUSE IT CONTINUES TO SURG FORWARD ON A DAILY BASIS. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Structure, Vehicle speed control, May 1, 2012
LAST YEAR I PURCHASED A 2011 FORD ESCAPE AND HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY DISSATISFIED WITH MY PURCHASE. THE SELLING DEALER, TOWER FORD IN GREAT NECK, NEW YORK HAS DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO HELP ME RECTIFY MY SERIOUS COMPLAINT AND CONCERNS WITH MY VEHICLE. ONE OF MY BIGGEST CONCERNS IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS, THE BRAKES ARE VERY LOW, AND A SWISHING LIQUID NOISE IS HEARD IN THE FUEL TANK WHEN STOPPING, THE RIGHT SIDE REAR PASSENGER DOOR SQUEAKS, AND THE CENTER CONSOLE IS LOOSE. I'VE BROUGHT MY TRUCK BACK TO THIS DEALER MANY TIMES AND ALL I RECEIVE IS THAT THEY CAN NOT VERIFY MY COMPLAINT AND CONCERNS. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY FAMILY AND MY SAFETY. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *JS
Visibility, Structure, Nov 22, 2011
WHILE CLOSING THE REAR HATCH, THE GLASS/HATCH EXPLODED INTO AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR HITTING MY DAUGHTER IN THE FACE. THERE WAS NOT UNUSUAL TENSION OR BINDING WHILE CLOSING THE REAR GLASS HATCH. DID NOT REQUIRE ADDITIONAL EFFORT TO CLOSE IT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE ENGINE WAS OFF,TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE APPROX 50 DEGREES. VEHICLE WAS WARM AS IT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY DRIVEN UPDATED 11/28/11 *BF *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Structure, Nov 10, 2011
REAR WINDSHIELD EXPLODED WHEN MY COLLEAGUE WAS PUTTING HIS BELONGINGS IN THE BACK OF MY SUV. BRAND NEW CAR AND THE THE CAR WASN'T TURNED FOR MORE THAN 5 MINUTES. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR FAILED AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CLEANED THE DOOR LOCKS, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,429. THE CONSUMER STATED AT 8,429 THE DEALER REPLACED THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY. HOWEVER, AT 8,832 THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCKED AND NOW IT WILL NOT UNLOCK. UPDATED 10/05/11