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.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR FAILED AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CLEANED THE DOOR LOCKS, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,429. THE CONSUMER STATED AT 8,429 THE DEALER REPLACED THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY. HOWEVER, AT 8,832 THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCKED AND NOW IT WILL NOT UNLOCK. UPDATED 10/05/11
Steering, Jul 29, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO MANEUVER AND IT WAS MAKING A SQUEAKY NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE FAILURE THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Power train, Jul 26, 2011
WHILE TOWING MY 2011 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED BEHIND MY RV BUS, THE TRANSMISSION BURNED UP. I DID EVERYTHING THAT WAS TAUGHT TO ME BY FORD DEALERSHIP IN GURNEE, IL, CAMPING WORLD IN FOX LAKE, IL AND THE FORD MANUAL. THE MADISON, TENNESSEE FORD DEALERSHIP TRIED TO BLAME ROADMASTER FOR THE PROBLEM. ROADMASTER IS THE MAKER OF THE TOWING SYSTEM (BARS, ELECTRICAL WIRING FOR LIGHTS AND THE EVEN BRAKE SYSTEM). THAT MADE NO SENSE AT ALL. I CHALLENGED THEM ON THAT AND THEN THEY ASKED ME TO GO OVER WHAT I DO TO TOW THE VEHICLE AND AFTER I EXPLAINED ALL THE STEPS, THEY SAID THAT I DID EVERYTHING CORRECTLY. I DROVE NO FASTER THAN 60 MPH IN MY WHOLE TRIP (CHICAGO TO NASHVILLE) AND EVEN STOPPED EVERY 3-4 HOURS TO START THE VEHICLE AND GO THROUGH THE GEARS, AS TAUGHT. THIS VEHICLE HAS 7600 MILES ON IT AND JUST 1200 MILES TOWING ON IT. SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS DEALERSHIP AND FORD DOES NOT WANT TO ADMIT THAT ITS OWN TRANSMISSION DID NOT WANT TO LUBE ITSELF TO KEEP IT FROM BURNING UP. FORD HAS NOT ANSWERED ANY OF MY 2 EMAILS SENT TO THEM ABOUT THIS AND THE DEALERSHIP JUST KEEPS BRUSHING ME OFF. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THEY NEEDED PERMISSION FROM ME TO TAKE APART THE TRANSMISSION TO SEE WHAT THEY NEED TO REPLACE. WHY, I DO NOT KNOW THAT THEY NEEDED PERMISSION. I HAD IT TOWED THERE TO GET REPAIRED. IT IS CLEARLY SOME DEFECT WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION, THEY JUST DO NOT WANT TO OWN UP TO IT. THE CONSUMER SENT IN AN UPDATE VIA PORTABLE: JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THIS. FORD CALLED ME YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AND SAID THAT THEY WILL PAY FOR EVERYTHING NOW. I TOLD THEM I WAS DOING THESE COMPLAINTS AND FINALLY SOMEONE CALLED ME. SO, UNKNOWN IF YOU STILL WANT TO POST IT OR NOT. I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW OF THIS. IT MAY TAKE A WEEK OR SO BEFORE I CAN GET MY CAR, THE DEALERSHIP IS CLAIMING IT MAY TAKE THAT LONG TO GET THE PARTS.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 21, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY SURGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHILE IDLING WITHOUT A FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARD AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. I HAVE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. TWICE THEY SAID THE HAVE RESET THE COMPUTER THROTTLE BUT STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. UPDATED 11/10/2011 *LN *TR
Power train, Jul 5, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT A LOW SPEED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE THEN LUNGED FORWARD WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, CAUSING A CLANKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TSB CHIP WAS REPLACED, AND THE PCM WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AS THE CONTACT ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,750.
Equipment, Jul 3, 2011
ON THE SAME DAY SIRIUS SATELLITE SHUT DOWN MY FREE RADIO SUBSCRIPTION I LOST THE ABILITY TO DIAL BY VOICE COMMAND FROM THE PHONE-BOOK AND RECEIVED THIS VERBAL ERROR MESSAGE:"THE REQUESTED CONTACT IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE IN THE PHONE BOOK". TRIED DELETING THE PHONE-BOOK , THEN THE PHONE AND DEVICE, DID A NEW RE-PAIRING TO THE SAME RESULT. ANY INCOMING CALLS DISPLAY THE PROPER PHONE NAME AND I CAN DIAL BY GIVING THE NUMBER, WHICH IS DIFFICULT WHEN SO MANY OF MY CONTACTS HAVE THREE NUMBERS AND IT IS ILLEGAL IN MY PROVINCE (CANADA) TO HOLD A CELL PHONE WHILE DRIVING AND YOU MUST USE BLUETOOTH. THIS INABILITY TO DIAL FROM THE PHONE-BOOK ADDS MORE OF A DISTRACTION AS YOU HAVE TO TRY TO COME UP WITH NUMBERS INSTEAD OF JUST SAYING A CONTACT NAME. A GOOGLE SEARCH TURNS THIS UP TO BE A NEWER, COMMON PROBLEM TO WHICH NOBODY HAS POSTED A DEFINITIVE FIX. AM GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE TO THE DEALER AND SEE IF THEY CAN FIX THIS ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Jun 15, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE. THE FAILURE WAS CONSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER NOT TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THERE WAS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ISSUED REGARDING THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 15, 2011, crash
TL*THE CONTACT RENTED A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 20 MPH APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AN OPPOSING VEHICLE SUDDENLY CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACTS VEHICLE CAUSING A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE SHOULDER, CHEST, AND TO THE LEFT ARM AND LEG. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT UNLATCHED FROM THE BUCKLE MECHANISM DURING THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75.
Visibility, Jun 13, 2011
MY HUSBAND SHUT THE LIFT GATE ON OUR 2011 FORD ESCAPE AND THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED INTO A THOUSAND PIECES. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 2,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Visibility, May 25, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN EVER THE DRIVERS SIDE VISOR WAS USED IT WOULD EITHER MOVE CLOSE TO THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTIFY THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK IF THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ UPDATED 07/15/11
Air bags, Seats, May 21, 2011, crash
FORD ESCAPE 2011 HAD A CAR ACCIDENT ON MAY 17TH 2011 I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND WITH THE IMPACT I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I WAS HIT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, ALSO THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE IN HALF. THE HUNK HORN WOULD NOT STOP BLOWING. DUE TO THE CAR SEAT BRAKING I HAVE SEVERAL INJURIES AND HAVE BEEN GOING TO THERAPY DAILY. I HAD A 2010 FORD FOCUS AND CHANGED IT TO THE FORD ESCAPE FOR SECURITY PURPOSES AND NOW THIS HAPPENS. I DID NOT FEEL SAFE AT ALL AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. DUE TO THE ACCIDENT I HAVE NO CAR NOW AND NOW WHY OF GETTING ANYWHERE AND THE WAIT WILL BE PROLONGED DUE TO THE SAFETY FEATURES THAT DID NOT WORK ON THE CAR THEY HAVE TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER. *TR
Steering, May 5, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POP COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHENEVER ATTEMPTING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN, POWER ASSIST MOTOR, STEERING RACK AND SHAFT WERE BEING REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
Visibility, May 2, 2011
I WAS CLOSING THE BACK HATCH ON MY 5 WEEK OLD 2011 FORD ESCAPE WHEN THE BACK GLASS SHATTERED EVERYWHERE. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY RELATED TO ME THAT THE BACK GLASS WAS NOT COVERED. SO, OF COURSE I HAD TO RE-PLACE MY BACK GLASS FOR APPROX $400. EXACTLY 2 DAYS AFTER THE NEW GLASS WAS INSTALLED, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WHEN CLOSING THE LIFTGATE THE BACK GLASS SHATTERED. THIS TIME THE GLASS COMPANY REPLACED IT FOR FREE, BUT WHEN CONTACTING THE FORD COMPANY AND DEALERSHIP THEY WERE VERY RUDE AND DISRESPECTFUL. AFTER CONTACTING THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, STILL NOTHING WAS DONE. IT HAS NOT HAPPENED SINCE, BUT NOW I TRY NOT TO PUT ANYTHING INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR SO I DON'T HAVE TO LIFT THE HATCH. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 19, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AFTER SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO COAST AND STALL. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE TO THE NORMAL SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT THERE WERE NO ERROR CODES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED A CONSUMER REPRESENTATIVE WILL CONTACT HIM WITHIN THE NEXT TWO DAYS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,800.
Visibility, Jan 21, 2011
THIS IS A MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE OCCURRENCE: I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE WORK, TEMPERATURE AT 27 F. I LOADED GEAR IN MY TRUNK OF THE VEHICLES NOT USING THE RAISED GLASS OPTION, BUT THE FULL DOOR. UPON CLOSING THE DOOR, THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED AND THE GLASS FELL ON MY HAND ON THE WAY DOWN, CUTTING IT UP. THE PISTON RODS ON EITHER SIDE BOTH BROKE OUT...LOOKS LIKE THE PLASTIC CRACKED ON BOTH. PRIOR TO SHATTERING, THE WINDOW APPEARED TO HAVE BUBBLES IN IT. DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND COSMETIC. FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT HAVE SAID THAT THEIR GLASS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY...SO MILE 1, IF IT SHATTERS LIKE THIS, THE CONSUMER IS HELD LIABLE. FILING WITH INSURANCE COMPANY AND LOOKING FOR A COMPANY THAT WILL COVER A WINDOW FAILURE. *TR
Visibility, Jan 16, 2011
I CLOSED THE REAR HATCH OF THE ESCAPE AND THE REAR GLASS EXPLODED. THE CAR WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY HOUSE AND THE GLASS WENT EVERYWHERE, COVERING THE CARGO AREA OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS NOTHING EVEN CLOSE TO TOUCHING THE GLASS INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE CAR WHEN IT SHATTERED. I RECEIVED A SMALL CUT ON MY HAND FROM THE GLASS THAT I WAS ABLE TO TREAT MYSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT A WEEK OLD AT THAT TIME AND WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM ADDRESS THE ISSUE.