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, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WITHOUT WARNING, THE EPS FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY TIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD TO CAUTIOUSLY PARK THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN OF WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE INTERIM NOTICE INDICATED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Dec 13, 2016
POWER STEERING STARTED RANDOMLY GOING OUT. SOMETIMES T WOULD WORK AGAIN BY TURNING OFF AND TURNING BACK ON THE VEHICLE BUT THAT WAS ONLY TEMPORARY. I TOOK THE ESCAPE TO A FORD DEALER TO GET IT LOOKED AT. THIS YEAR WAS INCLUDED IN THE STEERING RECALL (14S05) BUT FOR SOME REASON, THIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS THE SAME FIX AS THE RECALL IS. FRUSTRATING. I DID CALL TO LET FORD KNOW THE PROBLEM AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD INCLUDE MY VIN SINCE IT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY SAID NO BECAUSE IT'S TRACKED BY VIN AND MINE ISN'T INCLUDED. THE CAR WAS AT 80,000 MILES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE IN PARK AND ALSO WHILE DRIVING, STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTING FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE FLANGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 7, 2016
FORD CONSUMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 13N03. RELATED TO ETB. CAR RANDOMLY WOULD NOT ACCELERATE - HAD TO PULL OVER THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TO TURN CAR ON AND OFF. AFTER TURNING CAR ON, IT WAS LIKE NOTHING HAD HAPPENED.
Air bags, Nov 5, 2016, crash
MY WIFE WAS IN A ACCIDENT INVOLVING HER 2011 FORD ESCAPE. SHE WAS HIT IN THE FRONT END BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND HER CAR WAS TOTALED. HER AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY!! SHE WAS BEAT UP AND BRUISED QUITE A BIT BUT WAS LUCKY TO NOT HAVE ANY BROKEN BONES. I BELIEVE THAT IF EITHER VEHICLE WERE TRAVELING FASTER THAN THEY WERE SHE MIGHT HAD BEEN SEVERELY INJURED IF NOT KILLED. I SENT FORD THE INFO INCLUDING THE VIN NUMBER 3 DAYS AGO AND HAVE NOT HAD A REPLY. DO YOU THINK THIS WAS AN ANOMALY OR HAVE YOU HEARD OTHER FORD ESCAPES WITH THE SAME ISSUE?? MY WIFE HAD STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND SAID SHE LOOKED BOTH WAYS THEN PROCEEDED TO PULL MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN THE OTHER VEHICLE APPROACHED HER FROM HER LEFT AND STRUCK HER IN THE FRONT END ON AN ANGLE. THE ENTIRE FRONT GRILL AND BUMPER WERE BOTH KNOCKED OFF PUSHING THE RADIATOR INTO THE ENGINE. MY WIFE WAS CITED FOR FAILURE TO YIELD.
Engine, Nov 5, 2016
2ND TIME MY THROTTLE HAS BEEN REPLACED FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE RECALLS ON ALL FORD PROBLEMS.... NEEDS TO BE RECALLED
Steering, Nov 3, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,666.
Seat belts, Nov 2, 2016
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT HAS STARTED TO RELEASE WHILE DRIVING. CAN HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES IN A SINGLE TRIP. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE LAST MONTH. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Oct 28, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO A STONE WALL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED LEFT ARM, VARIOUS BODY BRUISES, RIGHT AND LEFT LEG INJURIES, AND FACIAL LACERATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,188. UPDATED 12/23/16*LJ UPDATED 01/05/17.*JB
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 23, 2016
GAS SMELL INSIDE CAR. ON THIRD OR FOURTH DAY OF RECURRING SMELL, TOOK TO SERVICE. SERVICE TECH HAD DIFFICULTY FINDING LEAK, AS THEIR WAS NO VISIBLE DRIPS TO THE GROUND. RETURNED TO DRIVING WHILE THE GAS SMELL BECAME STRONGER. RETURNED TO SERVICE, THIS TIME HE FOUND THE SOURCE TO BE THE FUEL PUMP. THE PROBLEM WAS ACTUALLY THE ELBOW PLASTIC NECK LEADING INTO THE FUEL PUMP WAS SPEWING GAS FROM AN INVISIBLE HAIRLINE CRACK. THE LEAK STOPS WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. THE LOCATION OF THE FUEL PUMP IS UNDER THE REAR SEAT - CAUSING A THICK SMELL OF GAS AND EXTREME DANGER OF EXPLOSION. I HAVE NEVER HAD REPAIR WORK ON THAT PART. THIS APPARENTLY IS DUE TO MANUFACTURE FLAW IN MATERIALS. I AM A NEW WIDOW AND LOOKING AT A $650 REPLACEMENT FUEL PUMP. I CONSIDERED DEALING WITH EPOXY BUT AM AFRAID THIS WILL CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE AND RISK. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Oct 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE ISSUE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Power train, Oct 12, 2016
DRIVING AND TRUCK JUST CUTS OFF. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND FIRST THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR.. BUT THE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENED. THEN IT WAS SAID IT MIGHT BE THROTTLE BODY. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR LESS THAN A MONTH AGO AND ALREADY HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS.
Steering, Oct 6, 2016
STEERING PROBLEMS AT LOW SPEEDS, HARDER TO STEER, FORD SHOP SAID IT WAS THE STEERING TURQUE CENCOR. JUST LIKE THE RECALL!
Vehicle speed control, Oct 3, 2016
DRIVING ON MY WAY HOME MY WRENCH LIGHT TURNED ON. MY CAR STARTED HESITATING AND COULDN'T HAVE CONTROL OF MY SPEED. I CHECKED THE MANUAL AND THE IT READ THE PROBLEM WAS SOME ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE BODY. TAKING IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT THEY WILL SAY /FIX.
Steering, Sep 29, 2016
STARTED CAR TO GO TO LUNCH, PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, PULLED IN LOT ACROSS STREET AND LEFT CAR RUNNING, MAN CHECKED AND STEERING STILL LOCKED. TURNED CAR OFF AND RE-STARTED...STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. MILES ON CAR 110886.7, DATE, 09/28/2016
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 22, 2016
2011 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE POWER FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP DRIVER MODULE AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD
Vehicle speed control, Sep 20, 2016
VEHICLE WOULD ENGAGE IN JERKY MOTION AND REDUCED POWER WHEN ACCELERATING TO HIGHWAY SPEED FOLLOWED BY "THROTTLE FAULT LIGHT" ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. MORE JERKY MOTION DURING DOWNSHIFT/DECELERATION. ODB2 CODE P2119
Vehicle speed control, Sep 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE JOLTED FORWARD VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND A DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
Structure, Sep 12, 2016
VEHICLE WAS PARKED. OWNER OPENED THE REAR WINDOW. ON LATCH RELEASE (AND WINDOW UPSWING) THE LEFT SIDE OF THE WINDOW SHOT OUT AND FELL FROM THE CAR -- WINDOW WAS BEING HELD ONTO THE CAR ONLY BY THE GLASS LIFT SUPPORTS. THE WINDOW LIFTGATE HINGES HAD DETERIORATED/BROKEN APART FROM THE ANCHOR BOLT ON THE WINDOW. APPROXIMATELY 3-5 MONTHS PREVIOUSLY, OWNER NOTICED THAT A WHITE SUBSTANCE HAD STAINED THE REAR WINDOW JUST BELOW BOTH LIFTGATE HINGES.
Engine, Sep 7, 2016
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR I SLOWED DOWN TO MAKE A TURN AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED.NO WARNING, SHAKING OR DECREASE IN SPEED. IT JUST STOPPED I TRIED RESTARTING BUT IT WOULDNT START UNTIL 10MINS LATER. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH NO PROBLEMS OR LIGHTS ON THE DASH BUT AFTER I LEFT (THEY COULDN'T SEE THE CAR UNTIL 4 DAYS LATER) LEAVING THE LOT THE ENGINE SEEMED TO STALL OFF AND ON FOR THE 5 MILE TRIP SO I WOULD PUT IT IN NEUTRAL WHEN I WOULD COME TO A LIGHT AND COAST TO A STOP, THEN RESTART. THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT. ALSO THE RPM 'S ON THE DASH WOULD GO UP TO 4-5 BUT MY ENGINE SPEED WOULD BE 40 MPH THIS SCARED ME SO BAD, I PARKED THE CAR UNTIL THE APPOINTMENT AT THE DEARLERSHIP WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC BUT KNOW CODES CAME UP. THEY DID FIX THE THROTTLE
Steering, Aug 26, 2016
LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT APPROX. 35MPH. IT WAS ALL I COULD DO JUST TO GET IT BACK HOME. I COULDN'T EVEN TURN IT TO GET INTO MY GARAGE! I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR VEHICLE YEARS 2008-2011. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL SINCE IT WAS MANUFACTURED ON MAY 26 2011. MY PROBLEM IS: I'M HAVING THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM AND WHO'S TO SAY THAT THESE PARTS WEREN'T MANUFACTURED AT THE SAME TIME THE DEFECTIVE ONES WERE?
Engine, Aug 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,425.
Other or unspecified, Aug 17, 2016
2TIMES VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER, STEERING AND BRAKES. ADVISED IT IS DUE TO NEEDING A NEW THROTTLE BODY. BOTH TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY.
Power train, Aug 16, 2016
"TAKATA RECALL" A LIGHT POPPED ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL CITY STREET A LIGHT THAT LOOKS LIKE A WRENCH AND IT IS CAUSING ME HESITATION WHILE DRIVING WON'T PICK UP SPEED OR GIVE ANY GAS.
Steering, Aug 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.