2011 Ford ESCAPE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,316 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
57,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 1,061 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 406 of 1,316 complaints (30.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 421 | 32.0% |
| Engine operation | 174 | 13.2% |
| Braking behavior | 81 | 6.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 68 | 5.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 39 | 3.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 35 | 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 | 406 |
| Power Train | 263 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 253 |
| Engine | 248 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 244 |
| Electrical System | 110 |
| Unknown Or Other | 56 |
| Suspension | 31 |
Steering: 406; Power Train: 263; Fuel/Propulsion System: 253; Engine: 248; Vehicle Speed Control: 244; Electrical System: 110; Unknown Or Other: 56; Suspension: 31
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 108 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 341 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 229 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 135 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 158 |
| 150,000 and above | 90 |
Under 25,000: 108; 25,000 to 49,999: 341; 50,000 to 74,999: 229; 75,000 to 99,999: 135; 100,000 to 149,999: 158; 150,000 and above: 90
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (341). 255 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 25 |
| 2012 | 26 |
| 2013 | 395 |
| 2014 | 106 |
| 2015 | 69 |
| 2016 | 74 |
| 2017 | 104 |
| 2018 | 125 |
| 2019 | 75 |
| 2020 | 53 |
| 2021 | 55 |
| 2022 | 60 |
| 2023 | 56 |
| 2024 | 42 |
| 2025 | 37 |
| 2026 | 14 |
2011: 25; 2012: 26; 2013: 395; 2014: 106; 2015: 69; 2016: 74; 2017: 104; 2018: 125; 2019: 75; 2020: 53; 2021: 55; 2022: 60; 2023: 56; 2024: 42; 2025: 37; 2026: 14
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 421 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 174 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 81 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10377749 · 2011-01-16 (January 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 382 miles reported. Look up ODI 10377749 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10378106 · 2011-01-21 (January 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 CU…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,342 miles reported. Look up ODI 10378106 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10396790 · 2011-04-19 (April 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 2,8…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10396790 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10398710 · 2011-05-02 (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 B…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10398710 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10399262 · 2011-05-05 (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.
Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 10399262 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10402268 · 2011-05-21 (May 21, 2011)
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 GETT…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10402268 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10402652 · 2011-05-25 (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
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10402652 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10406085 · 2011-06-13 (June 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
Owner-reported narrative. 1,641 miles reported. Look up ODI 10406085 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
14V284000 · Steering:Electric Power Assist System
Reported: 2014-05-29 (May 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V777000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2016-10-26 (October 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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗