ProblemsByVin

Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

ProblemsByVin File / 2011-FORD-ESCAPE
2011 · ford

ford Escape problems

1 safety recall. 1,310 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.4 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

steering
405 reports · avg $700
moderate
powertrain
254 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
cruise control
170 reports · avg $600
moderate
engine
93 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
electrical
63 reports · avg $850
severe
visibility
34 reports · avg $350
severe
fuel system
32 reports · avg $1,200
moderate
body
22 reports · avg $1,500
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2011 Escape · steering
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING WILL NOT ENGAGE. AFTER ONE OR MORE TRIES IT WILL FINALLY ENGAGE. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION THE STEERING DISENGAGED WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND HAD TO BE STOPPED AND RESTARTED AS ABOVE. MY LOCAL GARAGE FOUND ERROR CODE B1342…
12/31/2015 · NHTSA ODI #10817213.0
2011 Escape · electrical
HAVING MECHANICAL ISSUES WITH MY DOORS NOT CLOSING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND EACH TIME IT TAKES A LOT OF PLAYING AROUND WITH LOCKING AND UNLOCKING BEFORE I CAN GET THE DOOR SHUT. *TR
12/30/2016 · NHTSA ODI #10938727.0
2011 Escape · powertrain
DRIVING ON 5 LANRE PAVED ROAD AT 50 MPH WHEN ENGINE LOST POWER DID NOT STALL. NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND COAST INTO PARKING LOT SHUT OFF ENGINE AND RESTARTED PROBLEM WENT AWAY. TOOK TO DEALER 3 DAYS LATER WHERE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED UNDER…
12/30/2013 · NHTSA ODI #10557867.0
2011 Escape · steering
We were sitting in a parking lot and the car was started, the steering wheel was very difficult to turn. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection. No one’s safety was at risk. This is the first time this has happened, we have had the car since July 2024, we have not taken it…
12/29/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11633003.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 14V284000 29/05/2014

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

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.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2011 Ford Escape reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 1,310 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Ford Escape has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2011 Ford Escape?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 405 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Ford Escape has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Ford Escape?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,310 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Other model years
2015 Escape2014 Escape2013 Escape2012 Escape2010 Escape
Compare against
vs. 2011 kia Sorento vs. 2011 jeep Grand Cherokee vs. 2011 chevrolet Malibu vs. 2011 dodge Durango
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 10 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
Get a free warranty quote →