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, Nov 29, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE DEALER (AUTONATION FORD MEMPHIS, 2515 MT MORIAH RD, MEMPHIS, TN) STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE TIME TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS, THE DEALER STATED THAT PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Steering, Nov 25, 2017
I AM HAVING THE SAME STEERING ISSUES AS DESCRIBED IN HUNDRED OF COMPLAINTS 2011 FORD ESCAPE OWNERS . THE POWER STEERING SEEMS TO QUIT AND LOCK-UP MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2011 FORD ESCAPE , SO MUCH SO THAT FORD HAS A ISSUED FACTORY RECALL FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL YEAR ESCAPE DISPLAY ALL THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS , YET ACCORDING TO FORD MY VEHICLE DON'T QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL . WHY DOES ONE MODEL NOT QUALIFY WHEN OTHER MODEL WITH THE SAME ISSUES ARE RECALLED ? SEEMINGLY , I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON HAVING THIS PROBLEM.
Steering, Nov 23, 2017, crash
SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR THE POWER STEERING STARTED TO RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WILL DRIVING, OFTEN WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH AND ON STREETS AT 35MPH. I HAVE BEEN IN 3 ACCIDENTS AS DIRECT RESULT, LUCKY NO ONE WAS I HIRED. WHEN IT HAPPENS THE STEERING MAKES A LOUD CLICK AND THEN YOU CAN'T MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. IF YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN, THAT SOMETIMES FIXES IT BUT OFTEN TIMES IT WILL IMMEDIATELY CLICK AGAIN AND THE STEERING WILL TURN OFF. FORD STAFF LAUGH SAYING THEY GET LOTS OF COMPLAINTS BUT SAY NOTHING IS BEING DONE AND GIVE ME A BILL FOR 1200 DOLLARS. I ALREADY SPENT 30K ON THE CAR AND I DO T HAVE ANY MORE MONEY TO GIVE FORD SO MY CAR IS WORTHLESS AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED IN THIS CAR, IT REALLY IS DANGEROUS AND PEOPLE WILL DIE, THAT'S A GUARANTEE.
Steering, Nov 23, 2017, crash
I HAVE BEEN IN TWO MINOR ACCIDENTS AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE POWER STEERING FAILING WHILE DRIVE. THE STEERING FAILS ONCE A DAY AND DOES SO, USUALLY WHEN MAKE A HARD OR SHARP TURN. ONCE, THE POWER STEERING DISENGAGED, REVERTING TO MANUEL, WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH! FORD REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE STEALING AFTER MORE THAN 10 CONTACTS WITH THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE AND MULTIPLE FORD DEALERS. THEY REFERRED ME TO THEIR 'LEGAL DEPARTMENT' AND REFUSED TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING.
Steering, Nov 20, 2017
AS I'M DRIVING MY ESCAPE, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPS WORKING AT RANDOM TIMES.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 16, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BOGGUS FORD IN HARLINGEN, TEXAS WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Steering, Nov 11, 2017
FAILURE OF POWER ASSIST SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. FORTUNATELY, IT HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED AS EXITING A PARKING LOT. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP (NON-FORD) . ERROR CODE B2778 INDICATED WITH REMEDY OF REPLACE STEERING COLUMN. APPEAR THAT THE SAFETY PROBLEM IDENTIFIED UNDER FORD RECALL 14S05 IS MORE WIDESPREAD THAN THE VEHICLES THE RECALL COVERED FORCING US TO PAY FOR THIS SAFETY FIX
Steering, Nov 10, 2017
FOR SOME INARTICULATE REASON, MY 2011 FORD ESCAPE DOESN'T QUALIFY FOR THE POWER STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR RECALL - WTH??? I HAVE INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING. WHEN IT WORKS, THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIES AND SHAKES SO BADLY, I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO TURN MY CAR ON & OFF 3 OR 4 TIMES TO GET THE POWER STEERING TO WORK.
Steering, Nov 9, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 8, 2017
CALLED OLATHE FORD DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR RECALLED PARTS. I WAS INFORMED 'CHEAP' PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME, AND I WOULD BE REQUIRE THE 'EXPENSIVE' REPLACING OPTION OR WAIT UNTIL THE 'CHEAP' PART ARRIVED. I OPTED TO WAIT, AND THE FORD DEAL HAS SAID IT WOULD BE A FEW MONTHS,AND THEY WOULD CALL ME IT WHEN THEY WERE READY. IT HAS BEEN 9 MONTHS, AND THE RECALL HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.
Air bags, Nov 8, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE CONTACT'S WIFE HAD TO HAVE THE CONTACT ASSIST WITH DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL REGARDING THE POWER STEERING, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 7, 2017
VEHICLE IS LEAKING GASOLINE FROM OR NEAR THE FUEL TANK. THE LEAK APPEARS TO BE LOCATED NEAR THE FUEL FILLER ASSEMBLY. THE LEAK PRODUCES STRONG ODOUR OF GASOLINE IN CABIN AND AROUND VEHICLE BOTH WHEN IN MOTION AND WHEN STOPPED. A LARGE WET STAIN UNDER THE TANK WAS VISIBLE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON GRAVEL FOR ABOUT FIVE HOURS, WITH A STRONG ODOUR OF GASOLINE. (NOTE ON THE ATTACHED PHOTO OF THE FUEL TANK ID BADGE, SOME INFORMATION IS CUT OFF. ON THE LEFT THE SECOND FROM THE BOTTOM LINE READS "SHIFT 3". THE BOTTOM LINE READS "OCT 26 2010 10:45PM")
Other or unspecified, Nov 1, 2017
WHEN CLOSING THE REAR DOOR ON THE VEHICLE, THE BACK WINDOW JUST EXPLODED. SMALL PARTICLES OF GLASS FLEW IN ALL DIRECTIONS. THE WEATHER WAS SUNNY AND DRY AND THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS WINDOW TO HAVE EXPLODED. I WAS NOT INJURED, BUT PICKED GLASS PARTICLES OUT OF MY CLOTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A DEPARTMENT STORE PARKING LOT AND NOT YET OCCUPIED WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 29, 2017
IN JULY 2016 I WAS EXPERIENCING A FUEL ODOR IN THE ESCAPE. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC ON JULY 20, 2016 AND HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL PUMP GASKET. TOTAL COST FOR THOSE REPAIRS WA $643.44 (I HAVE THE RECEIPT). AM I ELIGIBLE FOR A REIMBURSEMENT?
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 29, 2017
(FDM) FUEL DELIVERY MODULE RECALL, I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED THAT MY VEHICLE MAY HAVE THIS ISSUE, FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND NOTIFY CONSUMERS ASAP, PLEASE ASSIST IN WHAT ACTION I MAY NEED TO TAKE ON THIS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 27, 2017
THIS IS REGARDING NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 16V777. IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR SINCE THIS DEFECT WAS POSTED AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM FORD TO COME IN AND HAVE THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE REPLACED.
Steering, Oct 26, 2017
I AM HAVING THE SAME STEERING ISSUES AS DESCRIBED IN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS BY OTHER 2011 FORD ESCAPE OWNERS. THE POWER STEERING SEEMS TO QUIT AND LOCK-UP MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2011 FORD ESCAPES, SO MUCH SO THAT FORD HAS ISSUED A FACTORY RECALL FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL YEAR ESCAPES. MY VEHICLE (ALSO A 2011 FORD ESCAPE) DISPLAYS ALL THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS, YET ACCORDING TO FORD, MY VEHICLE DOESN'T QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. WHY DOES ONE MODEL NOT QUALIFY WHEN OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME ISSUES ARE RECALLED? SEEMINGLY, I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON HAVING THIS PROBLEM.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 25, 2017
THE REAR GLASS SHATTERED WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF SOMETHING HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. IT APPEARS TO HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. GLASS WAS STREWN TOWARD THE OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE TO IT'S DRIVERS SIDE. THIS WAS PROBABLY DUE TO THE RIGHT REAR HINGE THAT WAS EXTENDED AND PROTRUDING OUTSIDE OF THE WINDOW AREA. THIS MOTION PROBABLY CAUSED THE GLASS TO BE HURLED OUT AND TO THE LEFT OF THE VEHICLE.
Steering, Oct 19, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE STEERING LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (MCCAFFERTY FORD, LANGHORNE, PA, 877-692-8282) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 7, 2017
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY CRUISING AT 80MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE GAS PEDAL STOPPED WORKING. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING BUT EVEN WHEN I WOULD PUT THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR IT WOULD NOT GIVE IT ANY ACCELERATION. A SMALL WRENCH SIGN POPPED UP ON THE DASH AND I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE L. WHEN THE CAR WAS IN IDLE THE ENGINE WAS VERY SHAKY AND RPMS WERE GOING UP AND DOWN SO I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. I SAT FOR ROUGHLY 5MINUTES AND THEN TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IT STARTED NO ISSUES. PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE GAS PEDAL WAS WORKING AGAIN NO ISSUES SO CONTINUED TO DINNER. ON THE WAY HOME TOOK 95 BUT WAS GOING 55-65 TAKING CAUTION IN CASE THE CAR STOPS WORKING AGAIN. TO NO SURPRISE IT DID SO I PULLED OVER SAT FOR 2 MINUTES AND RESTARTED WITH NO ISSUES AND FINISHED DRIVING HOME.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 5, 2017
2011 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE FUEL SYSTEM. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARTS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE RECALL WERE UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/05/2017*JS
Steering, Oct 2, 2017
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST IS DEFECTIVE SO THAT WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL, THE CAR RUMBLES. THE ISSUE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A TRUSTED MECHANIC. THE DEFECT COULD RESULT IN REDUCED PRECISION IN STEERING THE CAR. THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONS AT LOW SPEEDS BELOW 40 MPH WHEN I AM TRYING TO PARK MY CAR OR TURN RIGHT ON A ROAD. THE ENTIRE CAR RUMBLES AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES.
Electrical system, Sep 22, 2017
WHEN DRIVING MY 2011 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED, THE OPEN DOOR WARNING LIGHT, THE TPMS LIGHT, AND THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT WILL COME ON. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS, THE A/C WILL BLOW WARM, THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS WON'T WORK, AND THE LIFT GATE WILL LOCK. IF I HIT THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD, IT ALL RESETS. I TOOK IT TO THE AUTONATION FORD ON THE GULF FREEWAY IN HOUSTON. THEY SAID TO REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AT A COST OF $1000. I HAVE VIEWED MULTIPLE VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE AND READ MANY POSTS ON THIS VERY SAME ISSUE. IN EVERY CASE, THE VEHICLE OWNER SAID THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACEMENT FAILED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. WHAT WAS FOUND TO BE TRUE IN MANY OF THEM WAS THE DISCOVERY OF COLD SOLDER JOINTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CIRCUIT BOARD. ONCE THIS WAS CORRECTED, THE VEHICLE RAN NORMALLY WITH A FULLY FUNCTIONAL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE CONCLUSION TO BE DRAWN HERE IS THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BY FORD. AS TO IT BEING A SAFETY ISSUE, SEVERAL OF THE POSTS STATED THAT THE ENTIRE CLUSTER FAILED SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THIS YET BUT FEAR, IF LEFT UNCORRECTED, THAT IT COULD LEAD TO THAT. THE KEY POINT IS THAT THIS IS HAPPENING ON HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF FORD VEHICLES INCLUDING NOT ONLY MY ESCAPE, BUT EXPLORERS, EXPEDITIONS, AND F150S. FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS GLARING DEFECT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 7, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. PHIL LONG FORD OF MOTOR CITY (1212 MOTOR CITY DR, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 28, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. VALLEY FORD (LOCATED AT 910 SOUTH 1ST ST, YAKIMA, WA) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.