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 15, 2018
WHEN DRIVING MY CAR AT LOW SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING UNIT LOCKS UP RANDOMLY AND UNPREDICTABLY ESPECIALLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN. AFTER CONTACTING FORD ABOUT THE ISSUE, I LEARNED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE RECALL FOR ESCAPES FROM 2008-2011 MADE AT THE KANSAS CITY PLANT, WHERE MY ESCAPE WAS PRODUCED AT ACCORDING TO MY VIN NUMBER. HOWEVER, WHEN CONTACTING FORD ABOUT THIS ISSUE I WAS HAVING, THEY SAID THAT MY VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR A RECALL BECAUSE MY CAR WAS NOT PRODUCED IN THE SAME "BATCH" THAT THE RECALL IS FOR. THIS IS A DANGER TO BOTH MYSELF AND THE PUBLIC BECAUSE BEING UNABLE TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO A MECHANIC THEY EXPLAINED THAT MY STEERING COLUMN IS BROKEN, WHICH APPEARS HAPPENS FAIRLY OFTEN TO THIS MODEL OF ESCAPES.
Power train, Nov 15, 2018
THIS VEHICLE IS BUCKING AND JOLTING GOING UPHILL ON A LEVEL SURFACE. IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE HAS HIT ME FROM BEHIND. IT IS NOT NOT SHIFTING AT ALL THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSE TO. THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE WITH THE SAME EXACT SYMPTOMS. THIS IS NOT VIN.RELATED IN ANY SENSE. THIS IS A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE.
Steering, Nov 14, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. ONCE THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GARNET FORD (1610 WILMINGTON PIKE, WEST CHESTER, PA 19382, (610) 358-5600) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *DT *DT*JB
Steering, Nov 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED MORE THAN ONCE. THE CONTACT RESET THE COMPUTER BY TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO PROGRESS. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED MORE THAN ONCE. THE DEALER (FRANKLIN FORD, 175 EAST CENTRAL STREET, FRANKLIN, MA 02038, (508) 570-4022) WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT APPROVED THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE SIMILAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Steering, Nov 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN RIGHT OR LEFT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ASSIST THE DRIVER AND DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME; HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED WITH FORCE TO COMPLETE THE TURNS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.
Electrical system, Nov 9, 2018
I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW. WITH NOW 62000 + MILES I STARTED HAVING STARTING PROBLEMS BEGINNING EARLIER THIS YEAR. THE BATTERY AND STARTER HAVE CHECK OUT OKAY. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE IGNITION SYSTEM. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED- NO NOISE, NO CLICKING JUST NOTHING. I HAVE LEARNED TO PUSH THE KEY IN HARD WHILE TURNING AND THEN THE VEHICLE STARTS NORMALLY. AT TIMES EVEN THIS WILL NOT WORK AND I AM STUCK WHERE EVER I AM UNTIL IT DECIDES TO START AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET I HAVE READ DOZENS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE ACROSS A RANGE OF YEARS FOR THE FORD ESCAPE. I COULD NOT FIND ANY RECALL NOTICES FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THERE SHOULD BE AS I AM GUESSING THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES WITH THIS ISSUE HAS TO BE ENORMOUS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 4, 2018
RECALL #16S41 PERFORMED ON 12/14/2017. SINCE THAT TIME IT HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER 8+ TIMES FOR STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. CURRENTLY GASOLINE ODOR IS INSIDE OF THE CAR SO STRONG WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR.
Steering, Nov 2, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB MAXEY FORD, INC. (1833 E JEFFERSON AVE, DETROIT, MI 48207, (313) 392-9200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE THE SAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000. *TT*JB
Steering, Oct 30, 2018
POWER STEERING KEEPS FAILING. WOULD GO OUT ANYTIME, TURNING, TRAVELING DOWN FREEWAY , STREET, ANYWHERE . NEVER KOW WHEN IT WOULD HAPPEN. WOULD PULL OVER, TURN OFF CAR THEN START IT UP AGAIN. AND IT WOULD WORK AGAIN IT STARTED IN MAY AND FORD SAID IT HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING ON 2011 FORD ESCAPES BUT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS NOT MADE IN KANSAS CITY IT WASNT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 30, 2018
EXPERIENCE SURGING AND STUMBLING UNDER THROTTLE UP
Steering, Oct 29, 2018
MY STEERING WHEEL ASSIT LIGHT CAME ON IT'S HARD TO STEER MY CAR IT HAPPENED OVER NIGHT I HAD IT FOR LITTLE OVER 2 YEARS HAS ABOUT 85,000 MILES ON IT GOT IT WHEN IT HAD 32,000 MILES
Air bags, Oct 26, 2018
TAKATA RECALL
Steering, Oct 23, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL TORQUE SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (HERB CHAMBERS FORD OF BRAINTREE, 75 GRANITE ST, BRAINTREE, MA) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000(STEERING). THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
Steering, Oct 22, 2018
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CURVY ROAD AND MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT. I HAD TO REDUCE MY SPEED TO ABOUT 15 MPH TO GET TO GAS STATION. I TURNED CAR OFF AND IT BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OF ANY TYPE CAME ON. IF I WOULD OF BEEN GOING AT A HIGHER SPEED AND IT GO OUT I COULD OF GOTTEN HURT. GOOD THING I DIDN'T HAVE MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR.
Steering, Oct 20, 2018
I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 5 INCIDENTS WHERE THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON MY CAR, EITHER WHILE STARTING OUT OR SUDDENLY WHEN DRIVING, MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND I BELIEVE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE SAFELY. I FOUND OUT MY CAR FITS THE CRITERIA FOR A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM (A FORD ESCAPE, MODEL YEAR 2008-2011, MADE IN KANSAS CITY) EXCEPT WHEN I ENTERED MY VIN NUMBER TO CHECK ON THIS ON YOUR WEBSITE IT DID NOT REGISTER AS SUCH. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MISTAKE AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED..
Steering, Oct 19, 2018
POWER STEARING FAILURE
Structure, Oct 2, 2018
ON 2011 FORD ESCAPTE REAR HATCH HAS DEVOLOPED CORROSION AND BROKE OFF. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT SERIES FROM 2012 AND EARLY IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. LUCKY I WAS NOT DRIVING ANYWHERE WHEN THIS WAS DONE OR IT COULD HAVE CAUSED ENGERY TO CARS AROUND ME AND TO MYSELF OR MY YOUNG SON WITH GLASS BLOWING INTO THE CAR.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 25, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (WORLD FORD PENSACOLA, 6397 PENSACOLA BOULEVARD, PENSACOLA, FL 32505) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 24, 2018
WHILE ON HIGHWAY TRAVELING TO CHICAGO, MY VEHICLE POWER STEERING FAILED. I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL WITHOUT GREAT DIFFICULTY. THE POWER STEERING IS ELECTRICAL SO CANNOT DRIVE WITHOUT POWER STEERING. HAD TO LEAVE CAR STRANDED IN SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS AT LANDMARK FORD AND PAY $50 PER DAY FOR RENTAL. IT IS A SAFETY RECALL 14S05 AND HAS FAILED IN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CARS IN THE US AND CANADA. ACCORDING TO THE RECALL INFORMATION ONLINE AND MY CALLS TO DEALERSHIPS; MY CAR'S RECALL UPDATED THE SOFTWARE TO LET ME KNOW THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL. THEY DID NOT REPLACE THE TORQUE SENSOR WHICH IS THE ITEM THAT FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY AND MADE MY CAR NOT OPERATIONAL. IF YOUR TORQUE SENSOR FAILED PRIOR IT WAS REPLACED BY FORD UNDER THE RECALL - IF IT HADN'T FAILED BY THE TIME OF THE SOFTWARE UPDATE THE RECALL WAS CLOSED OUT. I HAVE FOUND ALL THIS OUT TODAY BEFORE MY CAR HAS BEEN FIXED. SO FORD WILL NOT FIX MY TORQUE SENSOR AND THE COST IS $617 PLUS THE RENTAL CAR AT $50 PER DAY. (MY CAR FAILED 5 HOURS FROM HOME) - I HAVE TO GO PICK IT UP WHEN IT IS FIXED. SINCE IT WAS A SAFETY RECALL AND THE TORQUE SENSOR HAD NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED, AND FORD KNEW THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH 1.1 MILLION CARS, WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR A FAILED FAULTY PART? MY CAR ONLY HAS 74,000 MILES AND IS WELL MAINTAINED. THE CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BUT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY EASILY. HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS STRANDED 275 MILES FROM HOME AND FORD WILL NOT FIX THE FAULTY PART. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM VERY UNHAPPY. THE TORQUE SENSOR, STEERING COLUMN OR WHATEVER PARTS MAKE THIS CAR UNSAFE SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF UNDER THE RECALL. FORD NEEDS TO DO THE RIGHT THING. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT AND LOSS OF LIVES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
Steering, Sep 18, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DON FRANKLIN FORD (576 HUDSON ST, COLUMBIA, KY 42728, 270-384-3076) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECU FAILED AND A NEW STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE STEERING RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 18, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). BEATRICE FORD LINCOLN (4115 NORTH 6TH STREET, BEATRICE, NEBRASKA 68310, (402) 223-3547) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Power train, Sep 13, 2018
SHIFT SOLANOID PROBLEMS WHERE THE VEHICLE DOES NOT SHIFT. FORD DOES NOT HAVE THESE PARTS ON HAND AND ARE ON BACK ORDER UNTIL MID OCTOBER 2018. WHY? BECAUSE TOO MANY ESCAPE VEHICLES ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. A RECALL NEEDS TO CONDUCTED ON THIS ISSUE AND FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND REPLACE THESE SOLANOIDS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 13, 2018
RECALL NOTICE ISSUED IN NOVEMBER 2017 AND PERSISTENT CALLS TO DEALER (EVERY MONTH) HAVE NOT PRODUCED A REASONABLE ESTIMATE OF WHEN THE PARTS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THIS RECALL. THE ANSWER PROVIDED BY DEALER EVERY MONTH FOR THE LAST 11 MONTHS THE CUSTOMER HAS CALLED HAS BEEN "THE PARTS ARE BACKORDERED" AND NO ESTIMATE OF WHEN IT WILL BE COMPLETE IS PROVIDED.
Steering, Sep 13, 2018
STEERING GOING OUT FREEZES AND WONT TURN. REPLACED TIE RODS UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS. COST $1000. AND 2 DAYS LATER OUT AGAIN
Steering, Sep 4, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHAMPION FORD VOLVO (2502 W 26TH ST, ERIE, PA 16506, (814) 878-2500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,410. **TR UPDATED 10/26/18*JB