While driving on interstate the vehicle suddenly lost power and stalled to a very slow speed. I was able to safely exit the highway and pulled into a parking lot with engine barely running. After turning engine off and preparing to call aaa, tried starting engine and it ran fine. The check engine light came on and I took the car for a code check. Code was p2111 throttle actuator stuck open. I am…
2011 Ford Escape cruise control problems
moderate 170 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
170
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
4crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 170 cruise control complaints filed for the 2011 Ford Escape, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 170 cruise control complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 19 model years of Ford Escape in our records for cruise control problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2011 Escape's electronic throttle body fails unpredictably, cutting off engine power mid-drive. Owners describe accelerating from a stop or cruising at highway speeds when the gas pedal suddenly goes dead—engine still running, steering and brakes work, but zero acceleration. The vehicle slows dramatically or coasts to a stop. A wrench light usually appears on the dash. After turning off and restarting the engine (which may crank slowly the first time), power returns—until it fails again later, sometimes within minutes.
Owners report this happening dozens of times total, often multiple failures in a single trip. At 28,000 miles to over 100,000, on both city and interstate roads, in light traffic and rush hour. One case involved runaway throttle at full acceleration instead. These events force drivers to pull onto shoulders in traffic, creating serious rear-end collision risk.
Ford's dealerships and independent shops confirm the throttle body assembly is faulty and replace it. Costs run $371 to $500-plus. The part stays backordered for weeks because so many Escapes are failing the same way. Some owners were told Ford knows about it but won't recall; others were denied coverage because their VIN fell outside a limited extended-warranty program. One owner was explicitly told by a Ford dealer to "drive it until it fails again and sets a code"—essentially asking him to risk an accident to document the problem for warranty purposes.
Same Ford Escape cruise control reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Throttle body loss of power / no acceleration response
Electronic throttle body fails to respond to accelerator pedal input, causing sudden loss of engine power and inability to accelerate. Engine remains running but vehicle coasts to a stop or very slow speed. Vehicle can usually be restarted to regain power temporarily.
When: Occurs at variable speeds (5 mph to 70 mph), both highway and city driving. Can happen multiple times in a single trip. Owners report failures starting as early as 28,000 miles through 110,000+ miles.
Symptoms owners cite: No response when pressing gas pedal; Engine revs drop below 1000 RPM; Vehicle decelerates rapidly or coasts; Wrench light (powertrain fault indicator) illuminates; Check engine light may illuminate; Rough idle at very low RPM; Temporary fix: turning engine off and restarting restores power; Vibration or shaking of vehicle during event
Codes mentioned: P0456 - EVAP system leak detected (found in one case, likely unrelated), P2112 - TAC (Throttle Actuator Control) system stuck shut, O2 sensor code (reported by one gas station scanner), Throttle actuator control codes, Generic throttle stuck closed codes
Repairs/costs cited: Ford dealerships and independent mechanics replace throttle body assembly. Owners report costs ranging from $371–$500+ depending on dealership. Some independent mechanics charge less. Part frequently on back order at dealerships due to high demand. Cleaning throttle body provides only temporary relief and does not resolve underlying failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) instructing mechanics to replace throttle body. Ford later implemented an extended warranty / customer satisfaction program extending coverage to 10 years / 150,000 miles, but only for vehicles within affected VIN range. Not a full recall; repair only covered if failure has already occurred. Many owners report being denied coverage if their VIN falls outside the specific range, despite identical failure mode.
Throttle body unintended full acceleration / runaway throttle
Throttle body enters stuck-open condition, causing engine to race at full throttle even when accelerator pedal is not being pressed or is released. Vehicle accelerates uncontrollably until engine is shut off.
When: Occurs during highway merging at ~45+ mph. At least one documented case at 110,000+ miles with recent throttle body replacement (September 2015).
Symptoms owners cite: Engine suddenly races at full throttle without driver input; Vehicle accelerates uncontrollably; Check engine light illuminates; Engine continues to race even when brakes are applied; Problem temporarily resolved by shutting off engine
Codes mentioned: P0456 - EVAP system leak detected (noted in conjunction; may be unrelated primary cause)
Repairs/costs cited: None reported in narratives for this specific failure mode. One case involved prior throttle body replacement followed by new exhaust system installation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response or recall documented for runaway throttle condition in these narratives.
Hard starts and slow cranking following throttle loss events
After a power loss / throttle failure event and restart, engine exhibits extended cranking time, rough starting, or struggle to start on first attempt. Typically resolves after one or two restart cycles.
When: Occurs immediately after each throttle loss event when vehicle is restarted.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cranks longer than normal before starting; Rough or hesitant start; Engine struggles or sounds weak during startup; Multiple restart attempts sometimes needed; Vehicle eventually starts and runs normally
Synthesized from 170 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2011 Ford Escape?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2011 Ford Escape?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 170 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 165 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 35,300 and 53,700 miles, with the median around 44,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,300; a quarter make it past 53,700. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Ford/Escape.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.