YearToAvoid

2011 Ford Escape Fuel System Problems

NHTSA lists 284 fuel system complaints for the 2011 Ford Escape, 22% of all complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 48,700. Ford recalled 2010-2012 Escape models (campaign 16V777000) for a fuel delivery module flange that can crack and leak fuel.

Fuel System complaints
284
22% of 1,316
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
48,700 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical fuel system symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden loss of power and throttle response at highway speeds, often near 70 mph, forcing them to coast to the shoulder.
  • A dashboard wrench warning light frequently appears just before or during the power loss event.
  • Some drivers describe the vehicle decelerating abruptly to a near-stall speed while the engine keeps running roughly.
  • One fire incident occurred at 65,000 miles on a vehicle that owners say had already gone through the 16V777000 recall remedy without full resolution.
  • A few complaints describe the engine shutting off completely while exiting a highway or after fuel pump and electrical diagnostics pointed to a fault.

When 2011 Ford Escape fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 5, 2011, latest Jun 17, 2025.

2011 Ford Escape fuel system complaints: complaints filed per quarter612011 Q42013 Q22014 Q32016 Q22017 Q32018 Q42020 Q32022 Q3
284 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2011 Q4 to 2025 Q2; peak 2013 Q3 (61).

Fuel System recalls for the 2011 Ford Escape

  1. 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.

Fuel System complaints by Escape model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2010507 (25%)
  2. 2011284 (22%)
  3. 2012160 (27%)
  4. 2013286 (10%)
  5. 2014137 (7%)
  6. 201557 (5%)
  7. 201670 (6%)
  8. 201795 (4%)
  9. 201854 (3%)
  10. 201924 (4%)
  11. 2020194 (12%)
  12. 202173 (21%)
  13. 202284 (36%)
  14. 20237 (7%)
  15. 20245 (7%)
  16. 20252 (8%)

Frequently asked questions

How many fuel system complaints does the 2011 Ford Escape have?
NHTSA lists 284 fuel system complaints for the 2011 Escape, which is 22% of the 1,316 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for fuel system problems on the 2011 Ford Escape?
Yes. Campaign 16V777000 covers 2010-2012 Ford Escape and 2010-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles for a fuel delivery module flange issue; Ford replaces the flange with a redesigned fuel supply port free of charge.
At what mileage do fuel system problems typically show up on the 2011 Escape?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 48,700 miles.
Did the fuel system issue cause any fires or crashes?
NHTSA data for the 2011 Escape fuel system complaints records 1 fire and 1 crash, with 0 injuries reported.
How does the 2011 Escape compare to other years for fuel system complaints?
The 2011 Escape's 22% share is close to the 2010 model's 25% and the 2012 model's 27%, all higher than most later Escape model years.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.