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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 30, 2019
THIS VEHICLE HAD A RECALL REGARDING THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE REPAIRED IN MAY 2019 (BY CHAPMAN FORD IN HORSHAM, PA), JUST BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN JUNE. IN LATE AUGUST 2019, THE CAR WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY STARTING. I BROUGHT IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP (FULLERTON FORD IN SOMERVILLE, NJ). THEY INSISTED CHAPMAN FORD DID A POOR JOB WITH THE RECALL REPAIR (SPECIFICALLY CONNECTING THE FUEL PUMP) AND FORD CORPORATE AUTHORIZED FULLERTON TO FIX CHAPMAN'S POOR WORK (FREE OF CHARGE FOR ME). A FEW DAYS AGO, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START EVEN WHEN JUMP STARTED. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIPS (MALOUF FORD IN NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ AND FULLERTON FORD) SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE AN OPENING TO WORK ON THE CAR FOR 3 WEEKS. I WANTED TO TAKE THIS VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP BUT I CAN'T AFFORD TO BE OUT OF A VEHICLE FOR 3 WEEKS SO I TOOK THE CAR TO A PRIVATE SHOP (QUALITY AUTO CENTER IN FRANKLIN PARK, NJ) . THE PRIVATE SHOP DIAGNOSTICALLY PROVED THE FUEL PUMP NO LONGER WORKS. THE PRIVATE SHOP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND THE VEHICLE NOW WORKS AGAIN. THIS IS INDEED AN OLDER VEHICLE, BUT I THINK THE TIMING IS ESPECIALLY SUSPICIOUS THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILS SHORTLY AFTER IT HAS BEEN HANDLED MULTIPLE TIMES FOR RECALL REPAIR. FURTHERMORE, CHAPMAN FORD WAS DEEMED BY FORD CORPORATE TO DO A SUBPAR RECALL REPAIR. I CALLED FULLERTON FORD AND FORD CORPORATE ABOUT POTENTIAL LIABILITY BUT THEY DIDN'T SEEM INTERESTED TO ENTERTAIN BECAUSE I WASN'T ABLE TO BRING MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION.
Power train, Oct 27, 2019
TRANSFER CASE OVERHEATING AND DUMPING LUBRICANT ON TRANSMISSION/DRIVERS SIDE AXLE SPRAYING ALL OVER.
Steering, Oct 25, 2019
WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO AN INTERSECTION AND STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN, RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL TURN. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT TIME OF INCIDENT. VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL REMAINED STIFF FOR REMAINDER OF DRIVE AND VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO MANEUVER AS EFFECTIVELY. REQUIRED MUCH MORE FORCE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL. NO MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ASSOCIATED.
Suspension, Oct 23, 2019
WHILE DOING THE LAST SEVERAL SERVICES ON MY ESCAPE, I'VE NOTICED THE FRONT CRADLE/CROSSMEMBER SEVERELY RUSTED, BUT NOT RUSTED THROUGH. ON THIS LAST SERVICE,(10/22/19) I NOTICED TWO SPOTS RUSTED THROUGH, VERY SIMILAR TO THE RECALL ON THE PREVIOUS BODY ESCAPES.
Steering, Oct 21, 2019
WHEN MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN AT SLOW SPEED THE POWER ASSIST STOPS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STILL ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIME IN THE PAST MONTH. TURNING OFF THEN BACK ON ALLOWED ME TO CONTINUE ON. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THERE WAS NO RECALLS ON MY ESCAPE FOR THIS ISSUE BUT IN SEARCHING I FOUND RECALL #14V284000 THAT MIRRORS MY EXACT PROBLEM. I CURRENTLY HAVE 113K ON THE CAR.
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.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 17, 2019
WHEN TRUCK HAS A FULL OR EVEN HALF TANK , ALWAYS SMELL A LOUD GAS SMELL COMING FROM TRUCK. GAS SMELL SO LOUD CAN NOT HAVE TRUCK PARKED IN GARAGE DUE TO FUMES. ALSO WITH BRAKES, WHEN FORCED TO STOP IMMEDIATELY THE BRAKES MAKE A WEIRD SOUND AND WONT LOCK PROPERLY.
Steering, Oct 15, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER FOR THE STEERING WHEEL TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BONNELL MOTORS INC (LOCATED AT 353 CAMBRIDGE ST, WINCHESTER, MA 01890, (877) 729-9700) WHERE THE SAME DIAGNOSIS WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
Steering, Oct 15, 2019
TWICE IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHEN TURNING SLOWLY. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 15MPH WHEN I TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND FELT THE STEERING LOCK UP MAKING IT DANGEROUS AND NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO GET TO A SAFE PARKING PLACE. ONCE I DID, I POWERED THE CAR OFF FOR A MIN AND BACK ON. IT RESUMED AS NORMAL. IT IS DANGEROUS AND SCARY TO BE DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY. I NO LONGER TRUST THIS VEHICLE.
Steering, Oct 14, 2019
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING HAS A RECALL BUT FORD IS UNABLE TO LOCATE INFORMATION STATING A RECALL ON THE CAR. ELECTRIC STEERING GAVE OUT MULTIPLE TIMES BUT FORD REFUSED TO FIX THE ISSUE, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS RECALLED IN 2014
Steering, Oct 14, 2019
DRIVING TO AN APPOINTMENT STARTED INTO A CURVE IN ROAD WHEN POWER STEERING FAILED IN VEHICLE. COULD BARELY CONTROL VEHICLE TO GET OFF OF ROAD. NO WARNING, NOISES OR LIGHTS CAME ON. VERY SCARY. CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED BUT THE YEAR AND MODEL DO HAVE A RECALL ON STEERING PROBLEMS.
Steering, Oct 10, 2019
STEERING DIED WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. WAS ABLE TO AVOID INCIDENT AND RESTARTING CAR APPEARED TO FIX ISSUE AT THE TIME. DEALER INDICATED EXACT SAME ERROR CODE B2278 AND REPAIR AS INDICATED BY RECALL 14S05. HOWEVER, THIS VIN NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL AND MANY CALLS TO FORD AND AN OPEN CASE ARE USELESS. HAVE GRAVE CONCERN FOR FUTURE FAILURES.
Steering, Oct 9, 2019
ALL THE SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING LOST TOTAL POWER STEERING AND COULD HARDLY TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL. ONCE I GOT IT STOPPED AND SHUT OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES, POWER STEERING WAS FINE WHEN I CRANKED BACK UP. HAS HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING LATER. THIS IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUES REPORTED ON THE 2008-2011 FORD ESCAPES TORQUE SENORS THAT WAS RECALLED. IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ON THE 2011-2012 MODELS AS WELL.
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN, CAUSING HER TO BUMP INTO A CURB. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING SPOT. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT'S WIFE MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION FORD BELLEVUE (LOCATED AT 411 116TH AVE NE, BELLEVUE, WA 98004, (425) 243-5203) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Steering, Oct 1, 2019
TURNING TO LEAVE A PARKING LOT AND HAD NO POWER STEERING,REMOVED ERROR CODE AND POWER STEERING STARTED WORKING.
Steering, Sep 17, 2019
POWER STEERING STOP WORKING SUDDENLY, CHECK ONLINE AND FORD ISSUE A RECALL ON 2014 BUT LOCAL DEALERSHIP DOES NOT RECOGNIZE MY VEHICLE AS ONE AFFECTED.
Service brakes, Sep 9, 2019
FRONT-RIGHT BRAKE DISC LOCKED UP ON AUGUST 21ST, 2019. IT ALSO MADE SMOKE. AFTER ONE HOUR, IT CAN DRIVE AGAIN. NOW IT ALWAYS MAKES BIG NOISE WHEN I PARK.
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
Steering, Air bags, Sep 9, 2019, crash
"TAKATA RECALL" ON MAY 11TH 2019, MY AUNTIE AND I WERE INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT THAT WAS NO FAULT OF MY OWN. A BLACK TOYOTA STOP IN FRONT OF WHEN US, I HIT THE BRAKES ON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND BLOWUP IN MY FACE, KNOCKING OUT ONE OF MY CROWNS AND SHIFT MY TEETH, I WENT TO THE DENTIST OFFICE AFTER LEAVING THE HOSPITAL, THE DOCTOR TOLD ME I SWALLOWED PARTICLES AND MY LEFT SIDE OF MY FACE WOULD NOT STOP HURTING, I ALSO LET THE DENTIST KNOW THE AIRBAG BLOWUP IN MY FACE, HE FOUND MY ROOT CANAL WAS FRAMED IN HALF, IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM I WOULD HAVE TO PAY 12,000.00 OF MY OWN MONEY TO REPAIR THE TOOTH AND OTHER DAMAGE TEETH THAT WERE SHIFTED OR I WOULD LOOSE THEM IN THE FUTURE, I HAVEN'T SMILED SENSE.I WAS DRIVING NORTH BOUND ON HIGHWAY THEY WERE TRAVELING EAST BOUND AT A FOUR WAY CROSSING INTO A GAS STATION.
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.
Steering, Sep 3, 2019
CITY DRIVING 35 MPH, NO POWER STEERING WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION. SHUT CAR OFF, WAITED 5 MINUTES, RESTARTED. STEERING OKAY. HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE WAY HOME. NO WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH, NO NOISES, CAR SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS RUNNING FINE. 145000 MI.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 26, 2019
I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT LIGHTS UP ALL THE TIME ON THE CAR. IT WILL ALSO SAY "CHECK FUEL FILL INLET" WHEN I PUMP GAS. THE CODE READS P0455 WHICH MEANS THE ENGINE COMPUTER RECOGNIZES A LARGE LEAK IN THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM (EVAP). THE VEHICLE'S EVAP SYSTEM IS SEALED, IT'S MAIN PURPOSE IS TO PREVENT GASOLINE VAPORS IN THE FUEL TANK FROM ESCAPING INTO THE ATMOSPHERE. I AM NOT SURE IF ONE OF THE RECALLS PERTAINS TO THIS, BUT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR ME. SO MUCH SO, THAT I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR IN FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILY.
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
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.