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.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 23, 2013
WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO ENTER MERGING HIGHWAY, MY 2011 FORD ESCAPE TOOK MANY SECONDS TO STALL AND THEN FINALLY ENGAGE. MY SON ASKED WHY DOES THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN, AND ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE NOT KNOWING WHEN ENTERING THE TRAFFIC, THAT YOU WILL NOT KNOW IF THE CAR IS GOING TO MAKE IT IN THE TRAFFIC. I DROVE FAR AND QUITE A BIT YESTERDAY AND IT HAPPENED 3 TIMES. I AM TAKING THE CAR IN NEXT WEEK, EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER THINKS NOTHING IS WRONG. *TR
Service brakes, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 23, 2013
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING, AND HAD PULLED FROM A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO STALL, AND SHE HAD NO CONTROL- NO BRAKES, NO THROTTLE, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DIDN'T STOP HER, AND SHE FINALLY PUSHED IT INTO PARK AND THAT DID NOTHING. IT ROLLED TO A STOP, ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE SEEMED TO BE RUNNING. SHE TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES, RESTARTED IT. IT RESTARTED, AND SHE PROCEEDED TO DRIVE TO HER DESTINATIONS WHICH WAS CLOSEBY. VERY SCARY, BUT FORTUNATELY, NO OTHER REAL TRAFFIC, BUT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 20, 2013
AFTER INTERMITTENT 3 TIMES IN 2 WEEKS, HAD THROTTLE BODY CLEANED 12/14/2013 PER FORD TSB. ON THIS DATE, 12/16/13 IT FAILED AGAIN AND HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. FORD WOULD NOT COVER IT AFTER 36,000 OR 3 YEARS AS OUT OF WARRANTY. IT WAS AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS CONDITION NOT TO REPLACE. THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY FOR REPLACEMENT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 18, 2013
I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 10 MPH, THE GAS PEDDLE STOPPED WORKING, I WOULD PRESS IT BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. THE LITTLE WRENCH APPEARED ON THE DASH. I STOPPED AND THE MOTOR STARTED RUNNING LOUDLY AND ROUGHLY SHAKING THE VEHICLE. I PUT IT IN PARK, TURNED OFF THE KEY, WAITING A MOMENT AND RESTARTED IT. THE RESTART TOOK LONGER THEN NORMAL BUT IT WAS FINE AFTER THAT. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES NOW, EACH TIME I WAS GOING APPROX. 10-15 MPH. IT'S DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE CAR CANNOT DRIVEN OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER VEHICLES. THE 3RD TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS SLOWING TURNING LEFT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, THERE WAS ONCOMING TRAFFIC, HAD THE CAR NOT CUT OFF, I WOULD HAVE BEEN SAFE TO CLEAR THE INTERSECTION HOWEVER IT CUT OFF MAKING THE ONCOMING DRIVER SWERVE INTO THE OTHER LANE TO AVOID HITTING ME. IT'S VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 18, 2013
WHEN ON FREEWAY LOSES ALL THROTTLE HAVE TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD AND RESTART. HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY AT DEALERSHIP WITH A TOTAL COST OF 533.13. WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY? *TR
Visibility/wiper, Dec 17, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW SUDDENLY BECAME SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 14, 2013
WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT MY VEHICLE'S ACCELERATOR QUIT FUNCTIONING. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME WITHIN A 14 DAY PERIOD. TO OVERCOME THE PROBLEM, I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF VIA THE KEY, WAITED 3 MINUTES AND TRIED AGAIN. SAME THING. NEXT I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED 5 MINUTES AND THE THROTTLE BODY BEGAN FUNCTIONING AGAIN. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY CLEANED THE AFFECTED PART AND RE-INSTALLED IT. *TR
Power train, Dec 13, 2013
WAS DRIVING 2011 FORD ESCAPE AND CAR STARTED TO JERK AND DECELERATED WITH GAS PEDAL NOT DOING ANYTHING. PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE POWERTRAIN WRENCH LIGHT HAD COME ON THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. RESTARTED THE CAR A MINUTE LATER AND IT DROVE A FEW HUNDRED FEET BEFORE SAME THING HAPPENED AND WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. WILL GET CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. I AM A LONG-TIME FORD OWNER. FORD NEEDS TO STEP TO THE PLATE AND ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 13, 2013
WHILE DAUGHTER DRIVING VEHICLE IN HOUSTON, DRIVING ON FREEWAY, APPROX. 65 MPH, VEHICLE LOST ENGINE ACCELERATION POWER, NO RESPONSE FROM GAS PEDAL, WARNING LIGHTS (WRENCH SYMBOL) ILLUMINATED. HAD TO COAST/IDLE ACROSS TRAFFIC LANES TO GET TO SHOULDER OUT OF TRAFFIC- VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY - TURNED OFF ENGINE, RESTARTED, VEHICLE THEN OPERATED AS NORMAL AT THE TIME, BUT EVENT HAS SINCE BEEN RECURRING. NOW HAS HAPPENED 6 OTHER TIMES... VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ANY DRIVER, ESPECIALLY A YOUNG DRIVER. MIGHT ADD THAT THIS PARTICULAR MODEL IS VERY POPULAR WITH YOUNG ADULTS - YOU WILL SEE MANY IN COLLEGE TOWNS. VERY DANGEROUS. INTERNET RESEARCH REVEALS MANY COMPLAINTS AND PROBABLE CAUSE SUSPECTED TO BE THROTTLE BODY MALFUNCTION. MANUFACTURER MUST BE AWARE BY NOW. HAVING CAR REPAIRED - EXPECTING COST OF APPROXIMATELY $600 - $800. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 13, 2013
I WAS SETTING AT AN INTERSECTION PULLING OUT IN TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND VEHICLE DIED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS IN THE PAST YEAR. AT TIMES WHEN I TRY TO STOP IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS STILL PULLING WITH FOOT COMPLETELY CLEAR OF ACCELERATOR. *TR
Power train, Dec 12, 2013
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT WILL RANDOMLY LOSE ALL POWER AND NO LONGER MOVE. I HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO KEEP FROM GETTING HIT BECAUSE I CANNOT ACCELERATE. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND I WILL NOT ALLOW MY WIFE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT IS A FAULTY THROTTLE BODY AND THEY HAVE SEEN THIS ISSUE 6 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS!! FORD TELLS ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL! *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Dec 10, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE WINDOW WAS FOUND TO BE SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 9, 2013
THE VEHICLE WENT TO IDLE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS SWITCHED OFF AND RESTARTED. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. OUR DEALER SAYS THEY CANT DIAGNOSE UNLESS THEY HAVE THE VEHICLE WHILE IT IS IN IDLE ONLY. *TR
Engine, Dec 9, 2013
THIS HAPPENED TWICE AND I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR 3 MONTHS. IT' STALLS WHEN I'M DRIVING. I HAD TO STOP THE CAR ON THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE IN NY/NJ. TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND START AGAIN. THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND TERRIFYING TO GO THROUGH!! TODAY THERE WAS SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE FRONT ENGINE. PLEASE ADVISE ME. *TR
Visibility, Dec 7, 2013
JUST AS THE LIFT GATE CLOSED, THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED. *TR
Power train, Engine, Dec 5, 2013
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK IN BUSY TRAFFIC, SUDDENLY THE ENGINE CAME TO AN IDLE AND A SMALL ICON OF A ?WRENCH? LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD. AFTER TRYING TO MANEUVER THROUGH TRAFFIC ON THE BUSY HIGHWAY AT 5 MPH (ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT) I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT, THE ICON OF THE WRENCH WAS GONE AND THE CAR PROCEEDED TO RUN FINE. I'M REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD THIS HAPPEN TO OTHER PEOPLE AND IT WAS CAUSED BY A THROTTLE BODY MALFUNCTION. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Dec 5, 2013
AT APPROXIMATELY 9:00 AM IN THE MORNING, THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW WAS CLOSED INSTANTLY SHATTERING EVERYWHERE. *TR
Visibility, Dec 2, 2013
OUR FORD ESCAPE WAS PARKED AT THE GROCERY STORE. AFTER PUTTING GROCERY BAGS IN THE BACK I SHUT THE TAILGATE AND THE BACK WINDOW EXPLODED. FORD WOULD NOT COVER THIS SINCE ITS PAST THE FACTORY 3 YEAR WARRANTY. NO EXPLANATION FOR HOW THIS HAPPENED HAS BEEN PROVIDED. *TR
Power train, Nov 29, 2013
LAST NIGHT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 55 MPH MY 2011 FORD ESCAPE WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR SOUNDS SLOWED IMMEDIATELY TO LESS THAN 5 MPH. I MANAGED TO LET THE CAR CREEP INTO A LOCAL CAR TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. THIS MORNING I CALLED MY FORD DEALER WHO ASKED THAT I LEAVE THE KEYS WITH THE VEHICLE AND ARRANGE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON ARRIVING TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP A SERVICEMAN SUGGESTED I TRY ENGAGING DRIVE AND REVERSE, I DID SO AND THE VEHICLE DID ENGAGE. I REPORTED THIS TO THE FORD DEALER PRIOR TO CALLING ROADSIDE TOWING AND STATED THAT I WOULD NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS FIXED. THE DEALER SAID HE WOULD ADVISE ME AS SOON AS THEY INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Nov 28, 2013
I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55 MPH, WHEN THE CAR LOST POWER AND BEGAN TO SLOW. I NOTICE THAT THE WRENCH ICON WAS LIT ON THE DISPLAY. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT ONLY AT ABOUT 1000RPM AND STILL SLOWING DOWN. INCREASING THE GAS PEDAL HAD NO AFFECT ON THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD ON TO A SIDE STREET. THE CAR WAS ABLE TO PULL ITSELF ALONG, BUT ONLY AT A SNAILS PACE. I STOPPED THE CAR AND SHUT ENGINE OFF FOR A MINUTE OR 2, RETRIED STARTING IT AND IT CRANKED SO I MADE IT HOME. THE CAR DONE THE VERY SAME THING THE NEXT NIGHT, THIS TIME DRIVING AT 65MPH ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY.. THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM OTHERS HAVE DESCRIBED CONCERNING THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS VEHICLE IS TOO NEW FOR THESE PROBLEMS TO BE HAPPENING. A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 27, 2013
THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHEN CROSSING INTERSECTION. WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON . COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC SITUATION. CAR LIMPED HOME [FORTUNATELY ONLY 300 YARDS] @ LESS THAN WALKING PACE. NOT HAPPY AND HAS AFFECTED MY CONFIDENCE IN EXPENSIVE VEHICLE. LUCKILY FORD AGENT HELPFUL. *TR
Engine, Nov 26, 2013
THE ENGINE SURGES AND STALLS AT THE MOST UNUSUAL MOMENTS. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REASON FOR THE SURGE AND STALLING, BUT CAN BECOME VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE LEARNED TO LEAVE EXTRA EXTRA ROOM IN CASE OF SURGING AND I ALSO HAVE ADOPTED THE POLICY OF WHEN MAKING DECISIONS TO ENTER TRAFFIC, I MUST ACCOUNT FOR "IN CASE THE CAR STALLS, WILL I DIE". 2011 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Nov 26, 2013
AFTER SITTING AT A RED LIGHT, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE VEHICLE TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY THEN VEHICLE HESITATED AND WOULDN'T RESPOND TO ANY ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT AND WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER COMPLETELY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND TRYING TO RESTART IT, IT TOOK APPROX 7 SECONDS TO TURN OVER AND AFTER MAKING ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE THERE WASN'T ANY CHANGE. I DID THIS TWO MORE TIMES AND ON THE THIRD TRY, THE VEHICLE RESPONDED TO PROMPTS FROM THE ACCELERATOR. BOTH THE ENGINE LIGHT AND WRENCH LIGHT WERE STILL LIT UP, BUT I DROVE THE CAR TO THE AUTOPORT AND WAS GIVEN THE TROUBLE CODE P2112 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Nov 25, 2013
IN THE PEAK OF TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE STALLED AND STARTED CHOKING. ALMOST WOULD BARELY RUN. HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO STOP IN THE REST AREA AND HAD TO PAY THE TOW TRUCK. VEHICLE CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AND THE DIAGNOSIS IS THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS REPLACING. AND THE WARRANTY IS NOT COVERING. *TR
Power train, Nov 25, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND ONCE RESTARTED, IT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,824.