2011 Ford ESCAPE HYBRID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
80,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 36 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 37 complaints (37.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 13 | 35.1% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 18.9% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 5.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 14 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Steering: 14; Vehicle Speed Control: 8; Power Train: 5; Engine: 4; Service Brakes: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Air Bags: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 4
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2012: 1; 2013: 4; 2014: 3; 2015: 4; 2016: 4; 2017: 6; 2018: 6; 2019: 3; 2022: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10563329 · 2014-02-07 (February 7, 2014)
THE STEERING WHEEL LOSES POWER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AGAIN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM OFTEN HAPPENS IN COLD WEATHER AND USUALLY IN THE MORNING. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO MAKES A WEIRD SOUND BEFORE IT LOSES POWER. I HAVE FRIENDS WHO HAVE THE SAME VEHICLE BUT OF DIFFERENT YEAR AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10563329 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10852799 · 2016-03-31 (March 31, 2016)
THIS COMPLAINT IS CLOSELY RELATED TO A 2014 RECALL RELATIVE TO ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST ON FORD ESCAPE AND MERCURY MARINER VEHICLES, HOWEVER FORD STATES MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. REF: NHTSA ACTION#DP15001, NHTSA 14V-284, FORD 14S05. PROBLEM: ON A NEARLY-DAILY BASIS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST (WHICH IS ALL-ELECTRIC ON THIS VEHICLE) "DROPS OUT" BRIEFLY - TYPICALLY FOR 1-3 SECONDS - OFTEN DURING A TURN. THE VEHICLE STEERING HAS A STRONG TENDENCY TO "CENTER" SO FOR A DRIVER WITHOUT UPPER BODY STRENGTH THIS COULD EASILY CAUS…
Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10852799 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10476529 · 2012-09-20 (September 20, 2012)
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE FROM TEXAS MOTORS FORD, FORT WORTH, TX ON OR ABOUT JULY 13, 2011. APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER, I BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE VEHICLE WHEN, ON OCTOBER 24, 2011, AFTER COMING TO A STOP IN MY GARAGE, THE VEHICLE SWITCHED FROM ELECTRIC POWER TO GAS POWER AND LUNGED FORWARD INTO THE CABINET ON THE FRONT WALL OF MY GARAGE, DESPITE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I TOOK MY (HAD IT TOWED) VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON THE SAME DAY. THE SERVICE MANAGER HAD ADVISED ME OVER T…
Owner-reported narrative. 19,517 miles reported. Look up ODI 10476529 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10734918 · 2015-07-18 (July 18, 2015)
I WAS PARKING MY FORD ESCAPE HYBRID WHILE MOVING BACK AND FORWARD I NOTICE BRAKE PADDLE JERK AND PADDLE LOST BRAKING POWER.
Owner-reported narrative. 256,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10734918 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10714060 · 2015-05-01 (May 1, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10714060 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11149583 · 2018-11-06 (November 6, 2018)
I WAS DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT (GOING VERY SLOW) WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE AND I COULD NOT MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT IT WAS FROZEN MY ENTIRE DASH BOARD LIT UP. I QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON - MY STEERING WHEEL WAS STILL SHAKING BUT NOT AS MUCH AND MY DASH HAD THE TCS CODE ON. I TOOK IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY AND THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE MADE ME SO NERVOUS. AT A STOP LIGHT I THREW IT IN NEUTRAL AND THAT DID SEEM TO HELP AND GOT RID OF THE CONSTANT TSC LIGHT ON THE DASH AND THE C…
Owner-reported narrative. 84,763 miles reported. Look up ODI 11149583 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10940220 · 2017-01-06 (January 6, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE FUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK OUT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10940220 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11153344 · 2018-11-23 (November 23, 2018)
REMOTE STARTED VEHICLE AND WAS WALKING UP LESS THAN 2 MINUTES AFTER. NOTICE PUDDLE UNDER GAS TANK AREA. GAS WAS POURING OUT. VEHICLE WAS RUNNING BUT STATIONARY. IT WAS OBVIOUS LATER THAT GASS HAS BEEN LEAKING OUT WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO WORK
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11153344 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10760726 · 2015-09-01 (September 1, 2015)
WHILE DRIVING EASTBOUND ON I70 THROUGH KANSAS, MY 2011 ESCAPE HYBRID LOST POWER TO THE DRIVE TRAIN. WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE STARTED RACING AS IF IT HAD SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. WHILE COASTING, I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN BACK TO DRIVE. IT CONTINUED TO BE UNRESPONSIVE TO MY STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I COASTED TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY INDICATOR WARNING AT THE TIME, ALTHOUGH IN SUBSEQUENT SIMILAR EVENTS, THE STOP SAFELY HAZARD WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTED. TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10760726 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11592216 · 2024-06-03 (June 3, 2024)
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle experienced electrical power steering failure. The check engine and brake system light warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring for several years. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the torque sensor and the steering column assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was re…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11592216 at NHTSA ↗