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.
Electrical system, Aug 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY TURNED IN THE IGNITION; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT LEAST SEVEN OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TEXAS COUNTRY FORD (321 E COKE RD, WINNSBORO, TX 75494), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 29, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE ENTIRE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW SHATTERED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED ONE HINGE WAS HOLDING ONE SIDE OF THE LIFTGATE WINDOW BEFORE DETACHING COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HINGES WERE DISINTEGRATED AND HAD A WHITE, POWDERY APPEARANCE. THE CONTACT CALLED ANDERSON'S ROCK RIVER FORD (24 N ALPINE RED, ROCKFORD, IL 61107, (815) 229-0510) AND WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 23, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 62 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STOPPED, TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE FOR IT TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Jul 21, 2019
BACK DOOR WONT OPEN, REAR WIPER DOESN'T WORK, RAIN COMES IN THROUGH BACK DOOR.
Suspension, Jun 24, 2019
LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. BELIEVED TO BE STRUTS, SWAY BAR, OR SWAY BAR LINKS. ONLY HAPPENS WHILE IN MOTION ON ALL TYPES OF TERRAIN.
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
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 16, 2019
MY 2011 FORD ESCAPE XLT 2.5L IS STALLING WHILE DRIVING, STOPPED, TURNING. THE RPM'S ARE JUMPY. CAR STALLS WITH FOOT ON THE GAS IN MID DRIVE! REPLACED THE CANISTER PURGE VALVE AS DIAGNOSED. NOT THE FIX.
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 11, 2019
FIRST ISSUE IS THAT THE BACK BACK DOOR WONT OPEN & THERE IS NO KEYHOLE TO UNLOCK IT EITHER. SECOND ISSUE IS THAT WHEN IT RAINS HEAVY WATER IS COMING THROUGH FROM THE OUTSIDE INTO ALL MY DOORS & IT STAYS THERE BECAUSE THERE IS NO PLUG TO LET THE WATER OUT. THE CHEAPEST OPTION WAS TO DRILL HOLES IN THE BOTTOM OF EACH DOOR TO LET THE WATER OUT.
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.
Service brakes, May 28, 2019
THE PROBLEM IS BRAKE LOSS IN REVERSE. IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY SOMETIMES ONCE A MONTH OR MAYBE 6 MONTHS WITH NO PROBLEM BUT SCARY WHEN BACKING OUT AND CANNOT STOP IMMEDIATELY. THE PEDAL WILL BE ROCK HARD WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND AFTER A COUPLE OF SECONDS WILL DEPRESS AND BRAKES BACK TO NORMAL. IF IN A TIGHT SPOT OR PEDESTRIAN WALKS BEHIND THERE COULD BE BAD CONSEQUENCES AND GOOD LUCK PROVING IT IN COURT THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. SUMMER OR WINTER DOESNT MATTER. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO DEALERSHIP AND COMPLAINED ON ANOTHER FORUM BUT DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM AS IT IS SO INTERMITTENT. IT SEEMS LIKE A VALVE IN THE SYSTEM STICKS. I HAD IT HAPPEN TO ME SEVERAL TIMES BUT MY WIFE DIDNT BELIEVE ME. WELL IT HAPPENED TO HER LAST WEEK AND SHE WAS SCARED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS WITHOUT RESOLUTION AND IF NOTHING ELSE WILL PUT THIS CONCERN ON THE RECORD OR HOPEFULLY FORD TAKES THIS MORE SERIOUSLY. I WILL BE CONTACTING DEALER AGAIN AS THIS MUST BE FIXED ONCE AND FOR ALL. ANY IDEAS WELCOME.
Service brakes, May 23, 2019
WE BEGAN HAVING INTERMITTENT BRAKING INCIDENTS. SOMETIME THE CAR WOULD PULL SHARPLY, OR NOT AT ALL. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE CAR SEEMED TO NEED EXTRA PETAL PRESSURE TO STOP. WE TOOK IT TO SPENCER CREEK TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. INITIAL DIAGNOSTICS WAS POSSIBLE STICKING OF CALIPERS. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN OUTSIDE THE SHOP TO AWAIT PARTS. WHEN THE IT WAS TIME TO BRING THE CAR BACK INSIDE TO PUT ON THE LIFT, THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HAD FROZE UP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. SEE ATTACHED WORK ORDER. IF THIS MODULE HAD FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, TI WOULD RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL.
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 10, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER CALLED THE CONTACT ABOUT THE RECALL BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT
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.
Power train, Apr 2, 2019
FLAT TOWING, ALL FOUR WHEELS ON GROUND, SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD, TOWED IN TO DEALERSHIP, TOLD TRANSMISSION WAS BURNED UP. IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE IF LET GO. 86986 MILES ON 2011 ESCAPE. HAVE BEEN FLAT TOWING BEHIND MOTORHOME FOR MORE THAN FOUR YEARS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD STAND BEHIND THIS.
Power train, Mar 28, 2019
TRANSMISSION BROKE WHILE FLAT TOWING.
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.
Power train, Mar 6, 2019
I BOUGHT AN RV LAST YEAR AND DECIDED TO PULL IT BEHIND MY RV. I CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON WHAT PROCEDURE IN NEEDED TO DO TO PULL MY 2011 FORD ESCAPE ON ALL FOUR WHEELS BEHIND MY RV AND SO I FOLLOWED THE MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS AND DID SO. WELL I GOT ABOUT 300 MILES FROM MY HOUSE AND THE TRANSMISSION BURNS UP! I HAVE CONTACTED FMCO AND THEY ARE GIVEN ME THE RUN AROUND AND NOT WANTING TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY TRANSMISSION WHICH I TOTALLY DISAGREE BECAUSE I FOLLOWED THE MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS.
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.