CarBrief

NHTSA has 1,355 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Ford Escape[1]. Steering is the group named most often, with 425 complaints[2].

1,355owner complaints[1]
2recalls[3]
20–32MPG combined (EPA)[4]
3★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups named most often by owners, biggest first. - Steering. 425 complaints[2]. Owners describe odd pops and loud noises when turning, a heavy feel on winding roads, and repairs that left the noise in place. - Power Train. 273 complaints[6]. In the stories we read, owners describe rough or jerky gear changes, hard engagement into reverse, and sudden loss of pulling power. - Engine. 267 complaints[7]. Owners describe the engine cutting out without warning, sometimes in traffic or at highway speed, with warning lights on the dash. - Fuel/Propulsion System. 256 complaints[8]. Owners describe the car losing power so that pressing the pedal no longer sped the car up, then slowing down until they could pull over. - Speed Control. 253 complaints[9]. - Electrical System. 118 complaints[10]. - Unknown Or Other. 59 complaints[11]. - Structure. 44 complaints[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2011 Escape is necessarily included.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Escape FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[15] 23 / 28 / 25 $2,700
Escape Hybrid FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] 34 / 30 / 32 $2,100
Escape FWD FFV, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive[16] 19 / 25 / 21 $3,200
Escape FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[17] 21 / 27 / 23 $2,900
Escape Hybrid 4WD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive[18] 30 / 27 / 29 $2,300
Escape 4WD FFV, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive[19] 18 / 23 / 20 $3,350
Escape 4WD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive[20] 20 / 26 / 22 $3,050

Safety ratings

Version Overall Frontal Side Rollover Rollover risk
SUV 4x2[5] 3 3 3 3 23.7%
SUV 4x4[21] 3 3 3 3 20.4%
SUV 4x2[22] 3 3 3 3 23.7%
SUV 4x4[23] 3 3 3 3 20.4%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine Horsepower
2011 Ford Escape with 2.5L 4-cylinder[24] 175 hp
2011 Ford Escape with 3.0L 6-cylinder[25] 240 hp

How 2011 compares with other years

2001: 996 complaints, 13 recalls20012002: 1,027 complaints, 8 recalls2003: 558 complaints, 7 recalls2004: 499 complaints, 6 recalls20042005: 1,584 complaints, 4 recalls2006: 720 complaints, 4 recalls2007: 393 complaints, 2 recalls20072008: 2,417 complaints, 3 recalls2009: 1,846 complaints, 1 recalls2010: 2,129 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 1,355 complaints, 2 recalls1,35520112012: 619 complaints, 1 recalls2013: 2,756 complaints, 18 recalls20132014: 2,089 complaints, 16 recalls2015: 1,125 complaints, 9 recalls2016: 1,162 complaints, 4 recalls20162017: 2,700 complaints, 4 recalls2018: 1,820 complaints, 4 recalls2019: 596 complaints, 3 recalls20192020: 1,902 complaints, 25 recalls2021: 496 complaints, 21 recalls2022: 385 complaints, 21 recalls20222023: 138 complaints, 13 recalls2024: 88 complaints, 10 recalls2025: 31 complaints, 10 recalls20252026: 4 complaints, 3 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Escape model year. The 2011 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
200199613
20021,0278
20035587
20044996
20051,5844
20067204
20073932
20082,4173
20091,8461
20102,1293
20111,3552
20126191
20132,75618
20142,08916
20151,1259
20161,1624
20172,7004
20181,8204
20195963
20201,90225
202149621
202238521
202313813
20248810
20253110
202643

NHTSA's counts for the Escape show 1,355 complaints and 2 recalls for 2011[3]. Among the 26 model years listed, 16 have fewer complaints than 2011 and 9 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (4) and the most are for 2013 (2,756)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2011 Escape?

The 2011 Ford Escape has a large complaint file, with 1,355 reports from owners[1]. Steering, power train, engine and fuel system groups each draw hundreds of complaints[2][6][7][8]. The reports are unverified and are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide to what owners notice. Some complaints mention crashes and injuries, so ask for a careful test drive and a service history before you buy[1]. The page also lists the recalls on file, which you can check against any car you are considering[3].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford Escape?
Steering leads with 425 complaints, followed by power train with 273 and engine with 267[2][6][7].
Does the 2011 Ford Escape have recalls?
Yes, the by-year data shows 2 recalls for this model year[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.
How many complaints does the 2011 Ford Escape have?
NHTSA has 1,355 owner complaints on file, and 0 deaths are reported[1].
What is the gas mileage of the 2011 Ford Escape?
See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2011 Ford Escape reliable?
Owners filed 1,355 complaints[1]. Check the by-year section on this page to see how this year compares with others.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Ford Escape

Compare all model years of the Ford Escape

Other Ford models from 2011

All Ford models

Similar cars from 2011: suvs

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 1,355 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Ford Escape (41 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 39 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 425 complaints name the steering component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 110,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Escape model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Escape Hybrid FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 34 city / 30 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4x2: overall 3 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 3 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 23.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 273 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,559). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 267 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 5 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 256 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 49,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 253 complaints name the speed control component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 118 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 3 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 59 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,285). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 44 complaints name the structure component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 16V777, filed October 26, 2016: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 14V284, filed May 29, 2014: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  15. EPA rating for Escape FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 28 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Escape FWD FFV, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Escape FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Escape Hybrid 4WD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 27 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Escape 4WD FFV, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Escape 4WD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4x4: overall 3 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 3 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4x2: overall 3 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 3 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 23.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4x4: overall 3 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 3 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. EPA Test Car List, 2011 Ford Escape with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 175 hp. www.epa.gov
  25. EPA Test Car List, 2011 Ford Escape with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 240 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.