Worst 2011 Ford Escape Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Steering Defects
Transmission / Drivetrain
Fuel System
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 Ford Escape.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 402 | 7 | — | 112,415 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 263 | 2 | — | 54,775 mi | |
| Fuel System | 253 | 1 | 1 | 55,658 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 248 | 3 | 5 | 53,003 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 244 | 5 | — | 46,920 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 109 | 2 | 3 | 70,538 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 30 | — | — | 60,518 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 30 | — | — | 86,669 mi | |
| Body Structure | 29 | 3 | 1 | 72,648 mi | |
| Airbags | 24 | 17 | — | 79,277 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 24 | — | — | 59,327 mi | |
| Brakes | 22 | 2 | 1 | 79,571 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 16 | — | — | 43,188 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 15 | — | — | 65,060 mi | |
| Visibility | 12 | — | — | 15,433 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 10 | 1 | — | 142,632 mi | |
| Side/Rear Glass | 7 | — | — | 35,010 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 6 | 4 | — | 47,850 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 5 | — | — | 26,204 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering:Electric Power Assist System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 2 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2011 Ford Escape. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2011 Ford Escape
2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,070,143 vehicles.
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 engine, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack, causing a fuel leak.
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 driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.
Other Ford Escape Years
2011 Ford Escape — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2011 Ford Escape reliable?
What are common problems with the 2011 Ford Escape?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2011 Ford Escape?
How safe is the 2011 Ford Escape?
Does the 2011 Ford Escape have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2011 Ford Escape?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Escape reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2011 Ford Escape
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99