2011 Ford Escape Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Ford Escape has 1,316 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 60, ranking 9th worst of 21 model years and earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems (33% of complaints) and steering issues (31%) are the top concerns, backed by two recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #9 of 21 Escape years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,316
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 38
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 38
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 3 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 20 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 38 / 0
Top 2011 Ford Escape problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine428 (33%)
- Steering409 (31%)
- Fuel System284 (22%)
- Transmission & Powertrain268 (20%)
- Electrical System118 (9%)
- Other63 (5%)
- Structure & Body52 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers45 (3%)
- Brakes42 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires42 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe unexpected surging forward or backward while idling or at low speed, sometimes leading to collisions.
- Some report the engine stalling suddenly and dropping into a limp idle mode with a warning light, occurring while driving on highways or coming into work.
- Several complaints describe airbags failing to deploy in front and rear-end collisions.
- Owners report seats and seatbacks buckling or breaking during rear-end crashes.
- One owner described difficulty engaging the brake pedal, saying the pedal felt undersized and their foot sometimes hit the accelerator instead.
2011 Ford Escape recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V777000Oct 26, 2016Fuel System329,265 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
Risk: 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 14V284000May 29, 2014Steering740,878 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
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.
Risk: 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.
2011 Ford Escape fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Ford Escape reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Escape carries a complaint index of 60 and ranks 9th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine and steering complaints make up most of its 1,316 filed complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford Escape?
- Engine issues account for 33% of complaints (428 total) with a median failure mileage of 46,263 miles, and steering problems account for 31% (409 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 110,000 miles.
- Does the 2011 Ford Escape have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2011 Escape: campaign 16V777000 for the fuel system and campaign 14V284000 for a steering torque sensor issue addressed with a software update. Neither is marked as a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2011 Escape compare to other Escape model years?
- The 2011 Escape's complaint index of 60 is better than 2009 (75), 2010 (80), 2013 (90), 2017 (100), and 2020 (95), all rated Avoid, but worse than years like 2007 (10) and 2012 (35), rated Good.