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ProblemsByVinFile / 2011-FORD-ESCAPENHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Ford
2011 Ford Escape problems
The 2011 Ford Escape has 1,312 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 1 active recall campaign.
The 2011 Ford Escape has 1,312 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 407 complaints, typically surfacing around 115,543 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2011 Escape?
High-risk ownership
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Electrical system: 63 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 44,000–82,000 mi
Visibility: 34 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 16,500–75,000 mi
Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
3 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★3/5
Frontal crash★★★★★3/5
Side crash★★★★★3/5
Rollover★★★★★3/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2011 Ford Escape SUV 4x4. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2011 Ford Escape? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 407 owner reports
· tends to show around 115,543 mi · ~$700 to fix
powertrain — 254 owner reports
· tends to show around 51,190 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
cruise control — 170 owner reports
· tends to show around 46,739 mi · ~$600 to fix
engine — 93 owner reports
· tends to show around 55,007 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 66,834 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
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…
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
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…
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…
Had a problem with your 2011 Ford Escape?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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 1,312 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.
Should you avoid the 2011 Ford Escape?
The 2011 Ford Escape is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 63 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 44,000–82,000 mi; Visibility: 34 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 16,500–75,000 mi; Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2011 Ford Escape?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 407 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 115,543 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2011 Ford Escape a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 1,312 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 115,543 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2011 Ford Escape?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 407 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 115,543 miles. 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. Typical failure occurs around 115,543 miles. 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 1,312 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 are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Ford/Escape.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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