2011 Ford Escape Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
60/100
#7 most-complained of 16 Escape years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2011 Ford Escape has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 7th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution rating. NHTSA lists 1,316 complaints, 2 recalls, and 38 crashes, with Engine problems the top complaint area at 33% share.
- Complaints
- 1,316
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 38 / 7
- Injuries / deaths
- 38 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 3 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 20 city / 26 hwy
Top 2011 Ford Escape problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended surging forward or backward while idling or at low speed, sometimes leading to a collision.
- Some drivers describe the engine stalling unexpectedly and dropping into a limited idle mode with a wrench warning light on the dash.
- Several complaints describe airbags failing to deploy during moderate-speed collisions, including rear-end and head-on impacts.
- Owners report front seats or seatbacks collapsing flat during rear-end crashes.
- One complaint describes a brake pedal that was hard to reach, causing the driver's foot to 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?
- Relative to other Escape model years, 2011 is rated Caution with a Complaint Index of 60, ranking 7th worst out of 16 years tracked. It performs worse than 2012, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 model years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford Escape?
- NHTSA data shows Engine complaints lead at 428 complaints (33% share), followed by Steering at 409 complaints (31%) and Fuel System at 284 complaints (22%).
- Does the 2011 Ford Escape have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for a Fuel System issue (campaign 16V777000) and one for a Steering torque sensor issue (campaign 14V284000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- At what mileage do 2011 Escape problems typically show up?
- NHTSA's median mileage at failure across all reported issues is 57,000 miles, though Engine problems median at 46,263 miles and Steering problems median much later at 110,000 miles.
- How does the 2011 Escape compare to the worst Escape years?
- The 2011 Escape's Complaint Index of 60 is lower than the worst years, 2013 (100) and 2017 (93), both rated Avoid, meaning 2011 has fewer reported problems relative to those years.