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, Nov 4, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AT VEHICLE START-UP. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. AFTER WAITING FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES, THE STEERING WHEEL RELEASED AND OPERATED AS INTENDED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.
Steering, Nov 2, 2020
I AM WRITING THIS AS MY CONCERNED I HAVEN'T HAD MY VEHICLE LESS THEN YEAR AND I HAVE NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP ON ME WHILE I AM DRIVING. I HAVE NOTICED IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE DRIVING IT AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS 2-3 WEEKS APART FROM WHEN IT DO IT. I'M NOT REALLY SURE ON THE DATES OF WHEN IT HAPPENED. I TYPICALLY DRIVE MOSTLY COUNTRY. MY TYPICAL DRIVE IS 60 MILES A DAY GOING FROM WORK AND HOME.
Electrical system, Nov 1, 2020
I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH DASH CLUSTER GOING CRAZY WHILE DRIVING ,I HAVE RESERCHED ON LINE AND HAVE FOUND MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE ,WOULD BE NICE IF FORDWOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE.
Steering, Oct 28, 2020
THE STEERING WHEEL OF VEHICLE LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, PUTTING THE GEAR IN PARK, AND THEN SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER CAN ONCE AGAIN GAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. HOWEVER, THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY, THAT IT MAKES DRIVING THE VEHICLE VERY HAZARDOUS AS YOU NEVER KNOWN WHEN THIS LOSS OF STEERING MAY OCCUR. THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL HAS HAPPENED BOTH ON CITY STREETS AND ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT APPEARS TO BE MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN TURNING BECAUSE THAT IS WHEN THE DRIVER SHOULD BE ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THIS IMPACTS SAFETY IN REGARDS TO BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY ON SNOWY WINTER ROADS. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE STATION WHERE I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE, IT SHOWED A DTC CODE OF B2278, INDICATING THAT THE ISSUE IS WITH A TORQUE SENSOR THAT IS PART OF THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND THAT THIS CODE IS LINKED TO SAFETY RECALL #14S05. HOWEVER, THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA TOLD ME THAT THIS SAFETY RECALL DOES NOT PERTAIN TO THE VIN NUMBER ASSOCIATED WITH MY VEHICLE.
Steering, Oct 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, HER DAUGHTER EXPERIENCED COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE WITH AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO EITHER AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.
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.
Steering, Oct 7, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GORDIE BOUCHER FORD OF MENOMONEE FALLS (N88W14300 MAIN ST, MENOMONEE FALLS, WI 53051) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO TROUBLESHOOT THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 138,000. *BF*JB
Steering, Wheels, Oct 4, 2020
POWER STEERING JUST RANDOMLY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. I KNOW PREVIOUSLY THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS, HOWEVER I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR A COUPLE YEARS AND IT'S JUST NOW A PROBLEM. IF I TURN THE CAR COMPLETELY OFF AND RESTART IT STARTS WORKING AGAIN. ALSO, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A FRONT BEARING PART, I'M HAVING ISSUES THERE AS WELL. FRONT RIGHT.
Steering, Sep 30, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER AND WAS PARKED SEVERAL BLOCKS AWAY FROM HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED STAR FORD (1101 S BRAND BLVD, GLENDALE, CA 91204) AND BOB WONDRIES FORD (400 S ATLANTIC BLVD, ALHAMBRA, CA 91801) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Steering, Sep 29, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON RESTART OF THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT'S WIFE CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL FOR THE STEERING. THE CONTACT'S WIFE CALLED COVERT FORD INC. (11514 RESEARCH BLVD, AUSTIN, TX 78759) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000(STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
Steering, Sep 23, 2020
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. THE TECH AT THE SHOP IS VERY SURPRISED THAT MY VIN ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING. I WAS QUOTED $2,000 FOR THE REPAIR. DEFINITELY NOT WORTH THE REPAIR AT THAT COST.
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 22, 2020
ALL OFF THESE EVENTS I AM DESCRIBING HAPPENED ALL WHILE DRIVING AND STILL OCCUR WHILE IN PARK. ALL OF THESE ALSO SLOWLY PROGRESSED INTO ONE BIG ISSUE OVER A MONTH AND A HALF PERIOD. IT STARTED OFF AS MY HEADLIGHTS WERE DIMMING AND FLICKERING, THEN IT PROGRESSED TO MY DASH LIGHTS DOING THE SAME, FLICKERING AND DIMMING ON AND OFF. THEN IT STARTED AFFECTING MY AC AND HEAT, IT WOULD GET LOCKED TO STAY ON AND I WOULD HAVE IT TURNED OFF BUT IF MY GAUGES WERE IN A CERTAIN POSITION SOMETIMES IT WOULD JUST TURN ON BY ITSELF. THEN MY BATTERY LIGHT WOULD TURN ON AND OFF, AND THEN MY POWER STEERING WAS MAKING LIKE A CLICK SOUND AND IT WOULD GO IN AND OUT. ONE TIME MY LOCKS WERE GOING ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES AS WELL. I REPLACED THE BATTERY THINKING IT WAS DYING, THAT DIDN'T HELP. I TOOK IT TO GET THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR TESTED AND IT WAS GIVING A 100%. I'M AT A LOSS AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO AS THE POWER STEERING IS AN ISSUE.
Steering, Sep 14, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER WHILE MAKING TURNS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE GOT TO HIS RESIDENCE, HE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAVALIER FORD GREENBRIER (1515 S MILITARY HWY, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320), AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE REPAIR WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,116.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 4, 2020
MY CAR ALWAYS SHOWS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE READINGS- SHOWS THAT THERE IS A LEAK, THEY HAVE CHANGED 4 TIMES THE PURGE VALVE. THE LIGHT GOES OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS AND THEN COME BACK AGAIN. IT SHOWS THE SAME PROBLEM ALL THE TIME. THE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING OR PARK.
Steering, Aug 12, 2020
WHEN IM STARTING TO DRIVE THE ESCAPE IT MAKES A WARNING SOUND AND THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT FEEL NATURAL. AT TIMES IT FEELS STIFF AND HARD TO TURN AND AT OTHER TIMES IT TURNS SO EASILY. ON THE DASHBOARD IT SHOWS ME A WARNING SIGN TELLING ME, 'POWER STEERING ASSISTANT FAULT,' ITS HAPPENED THREE TIMES THESE PAST FEW MONTHS. THE THIRD TIME THIS HAPPENED, I DID A RESET BUT IT STILL SHOWS UP. I DONT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT FEELS DANGEROUS.
Steering, Aug 11, 2020
LIGHT CAME ON FOR POWER STEERING ASSISTED FAULT AFTER I PUT CAR IN PARK AND OPENED THE DOOR WHILE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. AFTER TURNING CAR OFF AND RESTARTING TURNING STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT.
Steering, Jul 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT SPOKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT CALLED AUTONATION FORD ORANGE PARK LOCATED AT 7700 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244, (904) 270-9943, TO NOTIFY THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,864.
Steering, Jul 14, 2020
MY STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT ON ME TO WHERE I CANNOT MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO ME WITHIN 20 MINUTES. I HAVE CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND I HAVE TO PUT ON MY FOUR WAYS PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND THEN TURN IT OFF AND ON AND IT WORKS AGAIN.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 9, 2020
THE GAS TANK IS FAULTY. SUDDENLY, IT WILL NOT HOLD GAS. GAS BEGAN TO POUR OUT AFTER I HAD FILLED THE TANK JUST A FEW MINUTES BEFOREHAND. I NOTICED THE GAS POURING OUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED IN OUR GARAGE. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT OR EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE CAR TO CAUSE THIS ISSUE. I READ THAT SOME 2011 FORD ESCAPES WERE RECALLED FOR THIS VERY ISSUE, BUT MY VIN DOES NOT APPEAR IN THE DATABASE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE ADVISED THAT I FILL OUT THIS FORM.
Steering, Jun 24, 2020
THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT ON THE CAR, INITIALLY RESTARTING THE VEHICLE DID ALLOW IT TO WORK FOR A TIME BUT NOW IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. WHEN IT INITIALLY FAILED IT HAPPENED AT SLOW SPEEDS IN A PARKING LOT AS WELL AS AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY. APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT FORD ATTEMPTED TO FIX WITH A "SOFTWARE" PATCH BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT THERE IS A CRITICAL FLAW IN THE POWER STEERING UNITS IN THESE CARS. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 16, 2020
IT'S STALLING IN MOTION OR SUDDENLY SURGING FORWARD WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, POSING A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS, OTHER MOTORISTS AND PEDESTRIANS. INTERMITTENT VEHICLE STALLS AND SURGES AS THEY ENTER TRAFFIC FROM A STOPPED POSITION OR WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
Steering, Jun 4, 2020
RANDOM LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *TR
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.
Steering, May 13, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN 2014, HIS VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) AT FORD & LINCOLN OF SMITHTOWN (440 EAST JERICHO TURNPIKE, ST JAMES, NY 11780). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING MESSAGE FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING FUNCTIONALITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER, WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A RECALL REPAIR APPROVAL REQUEST WAS FILED HOWEVER THE REQUEST WAS DENIED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.*DT CONSUMER BELIEVES TORQUE SENSOR WAS THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.*JB
Steering, May 7, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING CEASED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000. *TR