2011 Ford Escape Reliability
The 2011 Ford Escape has 1,356 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about steering and powertrain / transmission. Compared with nearby Escape model years (2009–2013), it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Escape's typical year, while the 2012 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
1,356
NHTSA owner complaints
3
Recall campaigns
41
Complaints citing a crash
7
Complaints citing a fire
2011 Ford Escape complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 model year, filed between 2011 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 426 | 31% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 273 | 20% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 256 | 19% |
| Speed control / throttle | 253 | 19% |
| Engine | 252 | 19% |
| Electrical system | 118 | 9% |
| Unknown or other | 59 | 4% |
| Visibility / wipers | 46 | 3% |
2011 Ford Escape recalls
3 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2011 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14V284000 | May 29, 2014 | Steering — electric power assist system | 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. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect… |
| 15E045000 | Jun 3, 2015 | Suspension — front / wheel bearing | The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner… |
| 16V777000 | Oct 26, 2016 | Fuel system — delivery / fuel pump | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured February 26, 2009, to April 29, 2012, and 2010-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured February 25, 2009, to December 12, 2010. On vehicles with a 3.0L… |
How the 2011 compares with nearby Escape years
Verdicts compare these Escape model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1,846 | 3 | Steering | Avoid |
| 2010 | 2,130 | 5 | Speed control / throttle | Avoid |
| 2011 (this page) | 1,356 | 3 | Steering | Caution |
| 2012 | 619 | 2 | Steering | Solid |
| 2013 | 2,757 | 18 | Engine | Avoid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2011 Ford Escape
- Steering: check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering and clunks over bumps; power-steering faults show up at low speed.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Fuel system: smell for fuel around the car, watch for hesitation or stalling, and check for a lit check-engine light.
- Throttle and speed control: check for surging, hesitation or a reduced-power warning, and test cruise control.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 3 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2011 Ford Escape can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2011 Ford Escape reliability FAQ
Is the 2011 Ford Escape reliable?
The 2011 Ford Escape has 1,356 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about steering and powertrain / transmission. Compared with nearby Escape model years (2009–2013), it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Escape's typical year, while the 2012 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2011 Ford Escape problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 Ford Escape are steering (426), powertrain / transmission (273), fuel / propulsion system (256), speed control / throttle (253). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2011 Ford Escape have recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2011 Ford Escape, including 14V284000 (steering — electric power assist system) and 15E045000 (suspension — front / wheel bearing). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2011 Ford Escape compare with the 2010 and 2012 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2010 has 2,130 complaints and 5 recalls (avoid); the 2012 has 619 complaints and 2 recalls (solid). The 2011 has 1,356 complaints and 3 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2011 Ford Escape?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Ford Escape research
Other Ford Escape model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2011 Escape, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.