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
1,316 reports, newest first.
Steering, Oct 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle drove over a bump in the roadway and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle and the power steering functionality returned, however, the failure returned intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.
Suspension, Sep 28, 2021
1.) Front suspension cradle system causing the steering wheel to cocked to one side is what failed and pictures have been uploaded for inspection. 2.) This could have been a lot worst had this happened going down the freeway as my wife and I travel a lot. 3.) Not that I am aware of 4.) No it was only inspected by the Brown Motors Dealership 5.) There were no warning lamps before the incident happened.
Suspension, Sep 27, 2021
Our escape failed Pennsylvania state inspection due to the front subframe (engine cradle) rusting and cracking at the attachment points with the control arms. Our mechanic invited us to come into his garage and inspect the problem. Upon our personal inspection to the problem we noticed holes, cracks and bending at and near these joints. Our mechanic told us that this problem is a common occurance on the Ford escapes. This item was the first thing he checked in the inspection process. My wife had new tires put on in April. also new control arms were put on to get it lined up at another shop, so apparently they were bad at that time. I checked with one Ford dealer and they said there was no recall for this issue. My wife contacted the Ford dealer where we bought the vehicle and found out the part (subframe) was on back order for weeks. Also both Ford dealers appear to farm out this type of repairs to body shops. After reviewing this issue on line and to find a path forward for repairs I started to find out the extent of the issue with the Ford Escape front frame problems. I did see where a fix to the frame for earlier Escapes was approved for ford to just put a bar from one side of the frame to the other and we’re drilling and attaching to corroded material that should not have been allowed. I feel Ford should be held accountable for the proper repairs to our vehicle as well as the many others and not just try to cover up the fact that this is a major defect in the escapes. The major damage is to the right side frame area of our vehicle but the left side is breaking apart also. The left axil to transmission seal is leaking most likely due to the right side frame bending. We were fortunate in that we did find this before the wheel fell off and someone didn’t get hurt or worse. This repair will most likely be expensive. The part involved is a major structural part to the vehicle. The Frame that holds it together!
Service brakes, Sep 10, 2021, crash
My 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid lost all braking when the brake peddle went to the floor while in the electronic mode on the battery not with the motor running. The internet has hundreds of ford escape with the same problem. My Ford dealer is not sure what is wrong. Can you please start an investigation to figure out how to fix this problem. I hit my own fence on the driveway after starting the car. Thank You [XXX] VIN: [XXX] 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid 4 door INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Steering, Sep 10, 2021
Vehicle lost power steering several times almost caused an accident. When car is restarted it will work again. Ford recalled the power steering control module for some ford escapes of my year yet my vehicle is not included in that recall and from reading forms a lot of other ford escapes are not being covered by this recall. Its expensive to fix and obviously this has been an ongoing safety issue with Ford so what do I do? Keep driving and pray I don't get in an accident? Someone needs to sue Ford.
Steering, Aug 29, 2021
We purchased this car for our youngest son as his first car, he was driving it and complained that periodically it would become very difficult to steer. I would test the car and found it to be operating normally and would check it for the next several weeks with no issues, at this time I wasn't sure what me son was describing. As time went on he described several occasions in which he nearly avoided an accident due to the steering issues. My wife and I began to worry if there was really something wrong with the car, I began to check it more frequently and found that periodically it would lose power steering in the middle of driving from point A to B, this created very difficult driving conditions. We then found through online research that FORD has several issues with the power steering on this vehicle but for some reason our VIN# is not on the recall list. (Recall #14S05) We would like our VIN# to be added to the list of recalled vehicles due to the sheer danger involved with this issue and that it makes sense with the recalled described issues. Once we had our mechanic review the diagnostic codes and report that the system has a defective torque sensor and/or steering column with an extreme parts and labor cost it was decided to move forward with this letter to explain our situation. We currently have a vehicle in which we cannot drive nor repair, we also cannot afford to get it repaired. Please help... have our vehicle added to the recall list. Thank you
Steering, Aug 25, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his wife was driving 4-5 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and drove off the road into the grass. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the power steering module needed to be reset. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under recall. The contact stated the failure was like NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Steering, Aug 24, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed. The contact stated that the steering wheel turned to the right and vibrated. The contact had to turn the steering wheel with force to be able to complete the turn. The contact stated that the power steering assist light remained illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and the mechanic replaced the power steering assist module. However, the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Steering, Aug 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. Additionally, the vehicle loss motive power. The vehicle was restarted and normal functionality returned. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2021
Vehicle stalled while driving. Was able to pull into a parking lot. Car died and would not start and stay running. Acted as if fuel was not getting to engine. This happened approximately 1 month ago. I had car repaired. A relay was thought to be bad in the fuel supply system. Today the same thing occurs, car stalls and dies in few minutes. Again was able to get into a parking lot before it went completely dead. After stopping car starts up but then stumbles and dies in less than a few seconds. Sounds like it is not getting fuel.
Steering, Jun 15, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the electric power steering failed to operate as designed. The steering wheel started shaking and became difficult to turn. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed as a torque sensor and power steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The manufacturer then referred the contact to NHTSA to file a complaint. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The failure mileage was 208,587.
Service brakes, Jun 4, 2021
2011 Ford Escape AWD- passenger side brake issue- after driving and brake/rotor getting hot making the rim even feel hot. My car vibrates when driving down the street because of this problem. It also has very poor stopping and after stop vehicle doesn’t like to move until I hit the gas pedal. I have very poor gas mileage because something is hanging up ( passenger side only ) THIS IS DANGEROUS and no one wants to do a recall- I’ve been having problems since 2020 we have replaced caliper/rotor/brake pads and the rubber brake hose fixes the problem for about 3-4 months then comes back ( I called a FORD DEALER and they no about the issues I’m getting where I don’t feel safe in my own vehicle and FORD doesn’t want to do NOTHING about it. Guess when someone gets hurt/death they will have a law suit on their hands because they know about the problem with the brakes
Service brakes, Jun 4, 2021
2011 Ford Escape AWD- passenger side brake issue- after driving and brake/rotor getting hot making the rim even feel hot. My car vibrates when driving down the street because of this problem. It also has very poor stopping and after stop vehicle doesn’t like to move until I hit the gas pedal. I have very poor gas mileage because something is hanging up ( passenger side only ) THIS IS DANGEROUS and no one wants to do a recall- I’ve been having problems since 2020 we have replaced caliper/rotor/brake pads and the rubber brake hose fixes the problem for about 3-4 months then comes back getting where I don’t feel safe in my own vehicle and FORD doesn’t want to do NOTHING about it. Guess when someone gets hurt/death they will have a law suit on their hands because they know about the problem with the brakes
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, May 12, 2021
LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF POWER STEERING AND ALMOST CRASHED. I NOTICED RECALL 14S05 FOR POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE. IT ONLY COVERS CARS BUILT BETWEEN 2008 AND SEPT 11,2010. MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT OCTOBER 2010 AT SAME PLANT. HOW SURE CAN I BE THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT BUILT WITH DEFECTIVE PART. THE COST TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE IS AMOST $2200. MY CAR IS AT THE FORD DEALER SHIP AT THIS MOMENT. I REACHED OUT TO FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS, BUT NO SUCH LUCK. I HAPPEN TO OWN 6 FORDS AT T HE MOMENT AND HAVE PURCHASED NOTHING BUT FORDS FOR 20 YEARS.THIS ISSUE COULD HAVE GOTTEN ME KILLED.
Steering, May 6, 2021
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY CUT OFF. UPON TAKING TO THE SHOP THEY STATED IT WAS A CHECK ENGINE CODE THAT REFERRED TO A RECALL
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Apr 28, 2021
I HAVE A 2011 FORD EACAPE.... WE LOST POWER STEERING 2-3 YEARS AGO IN MY CAR WHILE DRIVING ON TWISTY HILLY ROADS IN ITHICA, NY ON WAY TO GET OUR 3 YOUNG GRANDCHILDREN AND THANK GOD IT WAS MY HUSBAND DRIVING BECAUSE I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT... TONS OF CARS RECALLED... SAME MAKE,SAME MODEL,SAME YEAR AND MADE AT SAME PLANT IN KANSAS!!!!! BUT FORD NEVER RECALLED MU VIN#..... WE WERE STRANDED THERE AND LOST TIME FROM WORK!!!! WE TOOK IT TO 3 FORD DEALERS WITH NO HELP!!! WANTING ALMOST $2,400!!!!! LOST TIME FROM WORK GETTING IT FIXED WHICH TOOK OVER 3WEEKS AND FINALLY OUR MECHANIC FOUND THE PART!!!! POWER STEERING COLUMN!!!! HOW WITH 1,000S OF COMPLAINTS IS MINE NOT COVERED!!!! IT'S THE STEERING COLUMN!!!! IT'S NOT LIKE IT'S A MUFFLER!!!! NOW AFTER PAYING TO GET IT FIXED !!!! I HAVE SINCE GIVEN THIS TO MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER FOR HER SENIOR YEAR AND SHE LOST POWER STEERING ALMOST SENDING HER INTO HEAD ON TRAFFIC!!!!! MY DAUGHTER ALMOST GOT KILLED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND YES WE WERE TOLD ITS THE GOD [XXX] STEERING COLUMN AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT DO I HAVE TO SO TO GO AFTER FORD FOR THIS SERIOUS ISSUE!!!!!! THEY MAKE BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS SELLING FAULTY, DANGEROUS CARS!!!!!!! AND ARE ALLOWED OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO GET AWAY WITH IT!!!!!! THEY KNOW FULL WELL THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL OF THE 2011 ESCAPES TO GET THAT PART FIXED!!!!!! ALL!!!! WHEN ARE YOU OR SOMEBODY GOING TO PUT A STOP TO THIS [XXX]!!!!!!!!! ALMOST EXACTLY 3 YEARS TO THE DAY OF WHEN THIS HAPPENED BEFORE!!!! NOW I HAVE TO WAIT AGAIN TO FIND A PART, PAY TONS OF MONEY AGAIN!!! AND THANK GOD MY DAUGHTER DIDN'T GET HURT!!!!! PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Service brakes, Apr 27, 2021
ALL BRAKE/ABS WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR ON STARTUP BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY, AND REPEATEDLY AT ONLY 50K MILES. RESTARTING THE CAR RESULTS IN SOME BRAKE FUNCTION WITH ABS AND CHECK BRAKE WARNINGS. MECHANIC HAS READ THE CODES WHICH INCLUDE EVERY PART OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. EVERY. SINGLE. PART.
Steering, Apr 22, 2021
AT 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY I LOST STEERING CONTROL, NO MOVEMENT OF STEERING WOULD CHANGE THE COURSE OF THE CAR
Steering, Apr 16, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONALITY RETURNED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. LIBERTY FORD MAPLE HEIGHTS (5500 WARRENSVILLE CENTER RD, MAPLE HEIGHTS, OH 44137) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.
Steering, Apr 12, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MONACO FORD (767 NEW LONDON TURNPIKE, GLASTONBURY, CT 06033) AND DIAGNOSED WITH STEERING FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE STATED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
Steering, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 1, 2021
MY POWER STEERING ASSIST LIGHT IS ON AND I CAN NOT STEER MY VEHICLE. I GOT IN TO TAKE MY KIDS OUT AND I COULD NOT STEER. ITS TOO UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AND I READ THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH FORD UNDER STEERING ISSUE COMPLAINTS. IF MY VEHICLE IS COVERED TO BE REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE NEXT STEP. ITS AROUND $1000 TO FIX AND I CAN NOT AFFORD THIS.
Steering, Mar 29, 2021
DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE DRIVING 65MPH AND LOST POWER STEERING, (TRACTION CONTROL LED CAME ON) AND RIGHT TURN SIGNAL QUIT WORKING ALL TOGETHER - HAD TO HOLD IT TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE ALREADY FIXED THIS ISSUE BEFORE, 4 YEARS AGO, FOR $2000. THEY QUOTED ME $2400 AGAIN, EVEN THOUGH THERE SEEMS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE WITH FORD ESCAPES (14S05), JUST NOT FOR MY VIN.
Steering, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 26, 2021
THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED ON MY 2011 FORD ESCAPE. STATIONARY WHEN HAPPENED. SO, FRUSTRATED THAT I CANT STEER IT AND HAVE TWO KIDS I NEED TO TOTE AROUND BUT ITS VERY UNSAFE AND I CANT DRIVE IT WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR FOR SAFETY CONCERNS. ALSO MY FUEL INTAKE FAILED AND A WARNING LIGHT IS ON FOR IT. I READ THAT BOTH OF THESE EXACT ISSUES HAVE BEEN RECALLED ON THIS MODEL. PLEASE HELP.
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