2011 Ford Escape: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1867 complaints
1867
Total Complaints
52,000mi
Median Mileage
Steering
Top Issue
50
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
39,000
25th Percentile
52,000
Median Mileage
89,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Steering
400
Power Train
263
Fuel/Propulsion System
253
Engine
248
Vehicle Speed Control
244
Electrical System
109
Unknown Or Other
55
Fuel System, Gasoline
30
Suspension
30
Body
29
Severity Assessment
50
Crashes
12
Fires
54
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"I CLOSED THE REAR HATCH OF THE ESCAPE AND THE REAR GLASS EXPLODED. THE CAR WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY HOUSE AND THE GLASS WENT EVERYWHERE, COVERING THE CARGO AREA OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS NOTHING EVEN CLOSE TO TOUCHING THE GLASS INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE CAR WHEN IT SHATTERED. I R..."
"THIS IS A MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE OCCURRENCE: I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE WORK, TEMPERATURE AT 27 F. I LOADED GEAR IN MY TRUNK OF THE VEHICLES NOT USING THE RAISED GLASS OPTION, BUT THE FULL DOOR. UPON CLOSING THE DOOR, THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED AND THE GLASS FELL ON MY HAND ON THE WAY DOW..."
"TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AFTER SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO COAST AND STALL. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE TO THE NORMAL SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BU..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Steering
400 complaints
25th: 78,000 mi
Median: 110,000 mi
75th: 143,000 mi
Power Train
263 complaints
25th: 36,966 mi
Median: 45,559 mi
75th: 60,101 mi
Fuel/Propulsion System
253 complaints
25th: 40,000 mi
Median: 49,000 mi
75th: 65,000 mi
Engine
248 complaints
25th: 37,972 mi
Median: 47,101 mi
75th: 61,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control
244 complaints
25th: 35,291 mi
Median: 45,000 mi
75th: 55,000 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
TX: 154
FL: 143
PA: 123
OH: 111
MI: 97
CA: 97
IL: 83
VA: 77
NY: 77
GA: 76
Who Files Complaints?
1.2%
Original Owners
98.8%
Second+ Owners
Ford Escape — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (3)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Fuel Pump
Campaign 16V777000 | 26/10/2016
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM flange with one that has a redesigned fuel supply port, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 13, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become availa
Wheel Bearing
Campaign 15E045000 | 03/06/2015
Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Electric Power Assist System
Campaign 14V284000 | 29/05/2014
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the
Protect Your Steering System
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Get a wheel alignment annually or after hitting a significant pothole
- Don't hold the steering wheel at full lock for more than a few seconds
- Check power steering fluid monthly on hydraulic systems
- Address wandering, vibration, or play in the wheel promptly
- Replace worn tie rod ends before they cause tire wear
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28