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
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering412
- Power train268
- Fuel/propulsion system253
- Engine248
- Vehicle speed control245
- Electrical system117
- Structure43
- Fuel system, gasoline33
- Suspension32
- Air bags26
- Visibility/wiper24
- Visibility23
- Service brakes22
- 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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
25
26
395
106
69
74
104
125
75
53
55
60
56
42
37
17
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 25 |
| 2012 | 26 |
| 2013 | 395 |
| 2014 | 106 |
| 2015 | 69 |
| 2016 | 74 |
| 2017 | 104 |
| 2018 | 125 |
| 2019 | 75 |
| 2020 | 53 |
| 2021 | 55 |
| 2022 | 60 |
| 2023 | 56 |
| 2024 | 42 |
| 2025 | 37 |
| 2026 | 17 |
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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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…”
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.”
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.”
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.