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2011 Ford Escape

The Verdict

5 Total Klunk

The 2011 Ford Escape has 1,312 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (559 complaints) and engine (489 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Ford Escape, consider the 2024 model year which has 94% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2024 has 94% fewer complaints

View the 2024 Ford Escape dashboard →

5

Klunk Score: Total Klunk

Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2001286132147358115
200229316915136497
200330257918959
200432727636120
200593813211330695
20062511626116481
200711996409444
20081372283153293313
20099009994426171
201077648111899292
20115592177489166
2012263204722047
2013667471941560269
201452627152956396
201535719115300235
20163551686273283
2017288321131949232
201813616481372143
20196283337083
202089531105243186
202113843209129
20225631189416
2023173273314
202424229172

By Category

Body
559
Engine
489
Transmission
166
Electrical
77
Brakes
21

By Severity

1
627
2
631
3
9
4
45

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2011 Ford Escape stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Body 1

The steering shaft torque sensor unexpectedly malfunctioned while driving resulting in a loss of steering. There was no indication that this would happen, no check engine light was on, and no symptoms prior to the incident. The vehicle is undrivable due to a lack of steering and was diagnosed by an independent garage. The steering shaft torque sensor is recalled for other 2010 Ford Escapes, but not this one.

1mo ago
Body 1

I was traveling at 20 mph and slowed to make a turn when the steering wheel took two hands to turn the wheel ... I knew it was a power steering issue. Happend all of a sudden with no warning and I was stuck in the middle of an intersection trying to turn around to go back home

2mo ago
Body 4

For months my vehicle has had intermittent loss of power steering making it nearly impossible to control direction. On Jan. 29, 2026, I ran into the back of a vehicle that stopped suddenly and due to sudden power steering loss, I wasn't able to swerve and avoid collision. I was issued an infraction for this incident and had to file an insurance claim to repair the front end damage to my vehicle. I brought my vehicle to an independent repair shop who confirmed the issue and said the entire steering column would need to be replaced and would cost approximately 3,000.00. I was also notified that Ford issued Safety Recall Campaign/NHTSA #14S05/14V284 for this exact issue. I contacted the Ford dealership where I purchased my vehicle and they said my VIN is not included in that recall. It seems too coincidental that my 2011 Ford Escape is experiencing the very same issue that prompted a safety recall for thousands of 2008-2010 Ford Escapes but not mine. I contacted Ford customer service and was issued escalation Case #CXH-07666011-H9L5H3.

3mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, while starting the vehicle the contact became aware that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated as intended. Neither an independent mechanic nor a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 161,420.

3mo ago
Electrical 2

Power steering went out all of a sudden

4mo ago
Body 1

The contact had performed service on the 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the owner had experienced unintended loss of power steering functionality, making the steering wheel difficult to turn in either direction. The failure was intermittent. During the failure, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, while the vehicle was idling, the steering wheel was turning from right to left independently. While servicing the vehicle, the DTC: B2278 was displayed. The contact was informed that the steering torque sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failures. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (STEERING). The failure mileage was 199,003.

4mo ago
Body 1

Torque sensor. No warning. Has not been looked at by a mechanic. Was working fine when I parked it. Came back out and it was steering funny and making a grinding sound

4mo ago
Electrical 1

Component: Driver-side door latch and lock assembly. The driver-side door latch appears to have failed, preventing the door from opening from both the inside and outside and creating an occupant entrapment risk. The failure is fully reproducible and ongoing. The condition first occurred without any prior warning signs, messages, or symptoms and has persisted for more than a day without resolving. Although the vehicle responds to unlock commands from the key fob, keypad, and interior door controls with normal audible confirmation, the driver door frequently remains unable to open. Failure behavior includes: •The driver door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle, preventing occupant exit. •The door also cannot be opened from the outside during these events. •An occupant became trapped inside and had to crawl across the vehicle and exit through the passenger side. •The vertical lock indicator moves between locked and unlocked positions, but the latch does not release. •The electronic systems appear functional, yet the mechanical latch does not respond. •Using the physical key can sometimes force the lock cylinder past a mechanical click point, temporarily allowing the door to open; however, this places the mechanism into abnormal states where the door may remain permanently unlocked or, when turned in the opposite direction, cannot be opened at all regardless of unlock attempts. •All other vehicle doors operate normally. Video evidence documenting the failure is available. This condition presents a serious safety concern because occupants could become trapped inside the vehicle during an emergency or after a crash, delaying rescue. The latch mechanism is a critical safety component that consumers cannot reasonably inspect, predict, or maintain. Given the life-safety implications of a door that cannot be opened from either side, this issue warrants investigation for potential defect trends.

5mo ago
Engine 2

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 returned it to them. I bought another vehicle from a different dealer.

5mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel failed to operate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was extremely tight, and excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a defective steering column that needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) and associated the failure with the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

5mo ago
Body 2

My power steering has failed five times in the last year. Yes, my vehicle is available for inspection. The power steering went out on me while I was driving, making it very hard to turn my steering wheel. Took it to a Ford dealer last year. They said they couldn't find anything wrong with it. It is very unpredictable when this will happen. It doesn't happen every time I drive it. Don't feel very safe driving!

7mo ago
Body 1

i have a cliking nose in my steering wheel when i am driving

8mo ago
Body 4

My young daughter lost control of our 2011 FORD HYBRID ESCAPE vehicle with 94770 miles after starting the vehicle on moving off. She crashed into the sidewalk to avoid hitting pedestrians. ALL ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE was lost. Car was taken to AutoNation Ford, St Petersburg, FL. Service personnel stated and provided documentation showing that there was no recall for my daughter's vehicle VIN. However, there were recalls for this similar problem on other Ford vehicles and FORD HYBRID ESCAPE vehicles like hers. Please see attachment. FORD SAYS THIS 2011 VEHICLE IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL FOR THIS DANGEROUS HAZARD AND REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM

9mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel intermittently failed to turn in the intended direction. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. The steering wheel became extremely tight, and excessive force was needed to drive the vehicle while avoiding crashing into another vehicle. The contact called three dealers and was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The contact ordered a power steering torque rotation sensor and planned for an independent mechanic to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

10mo ago
Electrical 2

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 101,000, and at the time of programming the keys, it was discovered that the mileage was 122,765. The VIN was incomplete.

11mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 40 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that several messages were displayed. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V632000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was 251,000.

12mo ago
Body 2

Subject: Urgent Safety Concern – Request for Recall Coverage Assistance To Whom It May Concern, I am writing with a heartfelt and urgent request regarding a serious malfunction in my vehicle's steering column, which has made it extremely difficult to turn. This presents a clear and dangerous safety hazard, particularly on expressways and in everyday driving when the ability to maneuver quickly is critical. My safety, my child’s safety, and the safety of others has been compromised due to this issue. The vehicle has been thoroughly inspected by a mechanic, and there were no warning lights or prior indicators of an impending failure. I have learned that there is an active recall related to this exact issue for vehicles manufactured between 2008 and September 2011. My vehicle was manufactured in January 2011, just a few months before the cut-off. To be denied assistance over a matter of months feels deeply unfair and disheartening — especially when the failure matches the recall description exactly. I am a single parent who depends on this vehicle for work and daily life. The financial burden of repairs right now is overwhelming, especially given the rising cost of living, inflation, and how expensive everything has become. I’m simply trying to keep my family safe and get to work. I am respectfully and desperately asking you to reconsider support and allow my vehicle to be included in this recall, as it clearly qualifies based on the issue — if not technically by the cut-off date. Please don’t let a few months be the reason help is denied when it’s needed most. Here is my vehicle information: VIN: [XXX] Make/Model/Year: 2011 Ford Escape Manufacture Date: January 21, 2011 Thank you for your time, understanding, and attention to this matter. I truly hope you can see the urgency and importance of this request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

12mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. In addition, the contact stated that the steering wheel became extremely tight. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed power steering module. The contact was advised that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) as a possible cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

12mo ago
Engine 2

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the fuel tank was leaking and there was an abnormally strong fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed the fuel leak. The mechanic applied epoxy to the leak, but the failure recurred. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

13mo ago
Body 1

My car is experiencing the issue in this recall for powerstearing but my vin is not associated, my ford year make mosel and issue is called out in the recall but my 2011 escape vin does not pull up the recall. I lose power steering and its not safe to drive. 14v284000 14so5 I called ford customer service and my vehicle is in the ford dealership, they are refusing to support me.

13mo ago

1312 total

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