10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,675 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Ford Escape:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #261

Oct 012023

Escape

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that there might have been a recall on the vehicle for the transmission. The manufacturer was notified, and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

- Euclid, OH, USA

problem #260

May 082023

Escape

  • 82,899 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the front driver side wheel seized and would not release. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fractured wheel dimension as a result the dimensions needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,899.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #259

Jun 012022

Escape

  • miles
Back in June, I took my vehicle to have it checked out. When I accelerate, the SUV would feel like it was dragging something under the tires and riding very rough and bumpy, actually the vehicle was shaking while driving, then it would stop when I slow down. Even when I turn off the engine for a few hours and then drive it, its fine. No warning lights on dashboard. Fred Beans replaced spark plugs, changed filters, cleaned throttle body, oil change. Now it 's doing the same thing. If I am idle in park with AC on for a few minutes, it does it. Sometimes after I fill it with fuel, it does it. As far as I am know, they never checked the fuel pump. SUV shakes for about 2 minutes then stops. It feels as though I am getting a flat in all tires.

- Barto, PA, USA

problem #258

Aug 062022

Escape

  • miles
When I turn at slows down and stalls. Nearly cuts off

- Cheverly, MD, USA

problem #257

Jun 152020

Escape

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering assist and the vehicle became difficult to steer. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Cheshire, CT, USA

problem #256

Mar 222021

Escape

  • 87,000 miles
I hit a bump in the road and wheel on passenger side of vehicle when up into wheel well. Almost hit oncoming traffic when I lost all steering. I took it to the Ford dealership via tow truck and was told that the front subframe was completely rotten at 87,000 miles driver side is not far from breaking I was told repairs would cost as much as the vehicle is worth

- Mooresville, IN, USA

problem #255

Jul 152019

Escape

  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while traveling up hill at various speeds, the vehicle shut-off with the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the catalytic converter, the camshaft sensor, and oil delivery sensor were replaced on separate occasions. The contact attempted to reach the manufacturer but was unable to reach a representative. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

- Martinez, CA, USA

problem #254

Dec 012019

Escape

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift gear, and failed to engage when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an unknown Ford dealer to have a diagnostic performed however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The technician also test drove the vehicle and was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was also taken to an independent mechanic for inspection. The contact was informed that the transmission torque converter failed and the transmission needed to be rebuilt or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.

- Livonia, MI, USA

problem #253

Oct 252019

Escape

  • 95,000 miles
Transfer case overheating and dumping lubricant on transmission/drivers side axle spraying all over.

- Lawrence, MI, USA

problem #252

Oct 142019

Escape

  • miles
Escape would not start on 10/14/19. Made clicking noise but would not turn over. Checked battery which indicated low voltage. Replaced battery on 10/15/19. On 10/17/19, attempted to start car. All lights came on but no sound was heard and engine would not turn over. Checked new battery which was within limits. Checked symptoms online and found issue to be faulty neutral safety switch. Upon further search, found numerous owners of 2008-2012 Ford Escape and Mercury mariners have the same issue. Would like to know why this is not a factory recall if it is happening this often.

- Jasper, GA, USA

problem #251

Jul 012019

Escape 6-cyl

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the power train indicator illuminated while driving various speeds. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to call the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000. Vehicle was taken to valley Ford (waverly, oh) where the throttle body was replaced under the manufacturer's warranty. Consumer noticed that the air filter hose kept coming off because it was too short. Consumer stretched the hose to keep it from coming off. Consumer states that this might be the cause of the throttle body failure.

- Lucasville, OH, USA

problem #250

Aug 012019

Escape

  • 123,000 miles
A known common problem on 2001-2012 Ford Escape AWD models: The transfer case on AWD models is mounted near the exhaust which bakes and dries lubrication grease in the transfer case resulting in bearing failure and lock-up conditions which can cause a crash at highway speeds.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #249

Aug 192019

Escape

  • miles
I was driving my 2011 Ford Escape limited edition and on the highway when I was going at a great amount of speed the vehicle shuts down completely the dash went black and the steering wheel locked up and everything I was able to stop I restarted car it started back

- Elyria, OH, USA

problem #248

Aug 172019

Escape

  • 1 miles
Ford part bl8Z-7251-a in 2001-2012 Escape/Mercury mariner/Mazda tribute, & similarly designed Ford Explorer, edge, Taurus, and several Mazda--all wheel drive and 4X4 models are made with known defective transfercases/automoblie design. The engine exhaust is placed too close to the gear case which dries the lubricant within (12 oz.). massive bearing failure can occur at any moment destroying the transfer case, causing a lockup condition, the case or drive shaft can break free and result in a crash.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #247

Jun 132019

Escape

  • 69,000 miles
My 2011 Ford Escape XLT 2.5L is stalling while driving, stopped, turning. The RPM's are jumpy. Car stalls with foot on the gas in mid drive! replaced the canister purge valve as diagnosed. Not the fix.

- Gulfport, FL, USA

problem #246

Mar 282019

Escape

  • 86,986 miles
Flat towing, all four wheels on ground, smoke coming out from under hood, towed in to dealership, told transmission was burned up. It could have caught on fire if let go. 86986 miles on 2011 Escape. Have been flat towing behind motorhome for more than four years. Ford Motor Company should stand behind this.

- Brimfield, IL, USA

problem #245

Mar 282019

Escape

  • 86,986 miles
Transmission broke while flat towing.

- Brimfield, IL, USA

problem #244

Feb 102019

Escape

  • 90,000 miles
I bought an rv last year and decided to pull it behind my rv. I checked the owners manual for instructions on what procedure in needed to do to pull my 2011 Ford Escape on all four wheels behind my rv and so I followed the manual instructions and did so. Well I got about 300 miles from my house and the transmission burns up! I have contacted fmco and they are given me the run around and not wanting to take full responsibility for my transmission which I totally disagree because I followed the manual instructions.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #243

Oct 012018

Escape

  • miles
Transmission had to be replaced at 128000.miles and cost us $3500 and we only owned it for less than a year

- Lakewood, CO, USA

problem #242

Feb 012019

Escape

  • 65,000 miles
This will be the second time I am replacing wheel bearing in the front driver side wheel. This causes the wheel to shake. I cant afford to continue to put money into a vehicle with such low miles and every 6 months. Also rear wiper motor burnt out due to a leaky seal or poor seal from Ford.

- Wallagrass, ME, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »