Problems · NHTSA complaints

2011 Ford Escape problems

Owners filed 1,319 complaints about the 2011 Ford Escape with NHTSA between Jan 2011 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is steering (412).

Complaints
1,319
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
38
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
38
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering412
  2. Power train268
  3. Fuel/propulsion system253
  4. Engine248
  5. Vehicle speed control245
  6. Electrical system117
  7. Structure43
  8. Fuel system, gasoline33
  9. Suspension32
  10. Air bags26
  11. Visibility/wiper24
  12. Visibility23
  13. Service brakes22
  14. Engine and engine cooling17

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201125
201226
2013395
2014106
201569
201674
2017104
2018125
201975
202053
202155
202260
202356
202442
202537
202617

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

412 reports7 crashes1 related recall
“Power steering repeatedly fails during normal driving conditions. It is resolved by putting the vehicle in park and restarting. This has occurred spontaneously and unpredictably while driving on residential roadways, commercial roadways, highways and parking lots. This is potentially deadly if power steering fails during normal or necessary evasive driving. I've reported this problem to a Ford Dealership Service department in Versailles Kentucky and they do not want to take action on the issue. I am happy to have the vehicle inspected. This issue is the exact same issue as recall number 14SO5, however my vehicle is one month removed from that specific recall. It is probable that the faulty Torque Control Sensor was manufactured in such large quantities that it was installed in my vehicle and many others like it. It is likely there are other faulty torque sensors on the road, proving dangerous to anyone driving.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2026SteeringODI 11773918

Power train

268 reports2 crashes
“While driving, the power steering assist intermittently fails without warning. This makes steering very difficult and creates a serious safety hazard, especially at low speeds or during turns. The issue can be temporarily resolved by turning the engine off and restarting the vehicle, but it recurs unpredictably. There are no warning lights or error messages displayed on the dashboard. This is a known issue on this model year and may relate to a defective EPS (electric power steering) module. Please investigate.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 2, 2025Steering, Power train, Electrical systemODI 11658355

Fuel/propulsion system

253 reports1 crash1 fire
“The fuel pump was replaced and a new one was installed and now the engine is misfiring really hard and when the vehicle is placed in drive or reverse the engine tries to stall. The mechanic is saying that I will have to purchase a fuel rail pressure sensor that controls the fuel to each fuel injector. If this item or the whole fuel system is on a Recall List. Then I shouldn't have to pay anything to have it repaired and replaced by the Dealership. I do need to be notified about this issue immediately. This is a 2011 Ford Escape XLT AWD 4dr SUV with 3.0 V6 Flex Fuel system.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 10, 2025Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11641697

Engine

248 reports3 crashes5 fires
“I purchased this vehicle on 10/16/25 through Affordable Auto Sales 692 Pleasant St Fall River Ma as it is a buy here pay here. It had 97,626 miles on it day of purchase. I noticed trouble with power steering as it is electric and kept locking up and asked several times to fix it. It didn't get repaired until the week before Christmas. On 1-10-26, took it for first oil change and it had 100,837 miles in total I put 3,211 miles on it. The mechanic called me into the garage and showed me 3 things that were critically wrong with the vehicle. It had severe rot in front and rear, mostly rear, the transmission had a significant leak, and the power steering was still not properly fixed. The mechanic informed me that the dealership had not done their safety inspection and this was deemed an unsafe vehicle and I should not be driving it. I brought it to the attention of Affordable Auto sales and they are accusing me of the damage. The owner Lucy Sousa also changed the mileage on the paperwork saying I put 20,000 on itinerary 2 months time. She changed it to 82,294 which is false. I have my inspection report to show accurate mileage. I no longer have this vehicle. I…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 7, 2026Steering, Electrical system, EngineODI 11716452

Vehicle speed control

245 reports5 crashes
“THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED BY FLASHING ALL LIGHTS TO STAYING ON. THEN THE SPEED CONTROLS, SPEEDOMETER, RPM GAUGE, AND HEAT SENSOR WOULD NOT WORK. ON TOP OF ALL THIS. THE BRAKES BEGAN TO MAKE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THIS ISSUE WOULD HAPPEN AND THE BRAKES WOULD ACT ROUGH. NO MECHANIC COULD FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM UNTIL IT WAS TO LATE. THIS NEEDS TO BE BETTER KNOWN AND BETTER MANAGED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 1, 2020Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11377241

Electrical system

117 reports2 crashes3 fires
“My 2011 ford escape is experiencing symptoms of the recall of the faulty Electric Power Steering (EPS) torque sensor. Its not often, but when I turn on the car I wont have power steering but when I turn it off and turn it back on the power steering works. Is there anyway you could open/put a recall on my 2011 ford escape.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2026Steering, Electrical systemODI 11769905
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.