YearToAvoid

2011 Ford Escape Transmission & Powertrain Problems

Owners filed 268 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2011 Ford Escape, 20% of that year's 1,316 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 45,379. NHTSA lists no related recalls for this component on the 2011 model, and 2 crashes and 3 injuries are tied to these reports.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
268
20% of 1,316
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
45,380 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Vehicles suddenly lose throttle response or power while driving at highway speed, with the dash 'wrench' light coming on and the accelerator pedal becoming unresponsive.
  • Some owners report the transmission slipping out of gear or disengaging while slowing down, then lunging forward when it reengages.
  • Harsh or hard jerking is described when shifting from park or reverse into drive, sometimes accompanied by a loud grinding or clanking noise.
  • One owner reported the vehicle rolling backward on its own while parked and unoccupied, striking an object.
  • Intermittent loss of throttle response has been reported on both highway and local roads, with dealers able to duplicate but not always repair the issue.

When 2011 Ford Escape transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 5, 2011, latest May 2, 2025.

2011 Ford Escape transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per quarter802011 Q32013 Q22014 Q42016 Q22017 Q42019 Q42023 Q1
268 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2011 Q3 to 2025 Q2; peak 2013 Q3 (80).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2011 Ford Escape

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Escape model year

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

  1. 2010508 (25%)
  2. 2011268 (20%)
  3. 201266 (11%)
  4. 2013401 (15%)
  5. 2014481 (23%)
  6. 2015286 (26%)
  7. 2016320 (28%)
  8. 2017390 (15%)
  9. 2018271 (15%)
  10. 2019125 (21%)
  11. 2020239 (15%)
  12. 202143 (12%)
  13. 202231 (13%)
  14. 202321 (21%)
  15. 20242 (3%)
  16. 20253 (13%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission and powertrain complaints does the 2011 Ford Escape have?
NHTSA lists 268 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2011 Ford Escape, making up 20% of the 1,316 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2011 Ford Escape transmission?
NHTSA's data shows no related recalls tied to the Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2011 Ford Escape.
At what mileage do 2011 Ford Escape transmission problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2011 Ford Escape is 45,379 miles.
Are the transmission problems dangerous?
NHTSA complaint data tied to this component on the 2011 Escape includes 2 crashes and 3 injuries, with sample complaints describing sudden power loss at highway speed and unexpected forward lunging.
How does the 2011 Escape compare to other model years for this problem?
The 2011 Escape had 268 Transmission & Powertrain complaints (20% share), lower than 2010's 508 complaints (25% share) but higher in raw count than 2012's 66 complaints (11% share).

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.