2011 Ford Escape Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year mostly report the power steering assist dropping out, often intermittently, and often at low speeds or in turns, with the wheel returning to normal after a restart. Fuel system, transmission and engine complaints are also common, and many of the sampled complaints come in above 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering assist cuts out (stiff wheel)

   • 393 complaints (30%)
   • median 110,312 mi at 9.0 yrs old (296 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,300 (median of 25 quotes)
   • filed 2011–2026

   Owners describe the steering effort suddenly increasing, sometimes with a warning message or light and sometimes with none, most often in turns, in parking lots, or at low speed. Several say turning the vehicle off and restarting restores assist, at least for a while, and that the problem keeps returning. Dealers and mechanics variously diagnosed a failed steering torque sensor, steering control module or column, and owners frequently note that their VIN was not covered by an electric power steering recall. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 56,000 to over 200,000 miles, with many between 90,000 and 160,000 miles.

   Recall 14V2840003 related service bulletins

   What to check: On a test drive, try slow turns and parking maneuvers and see whether the assist warning ever appears; ask whether the steering torque sensor or control module has been replaced and whether the steering recall was done for this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The power steering has failed multiple times. It seems to happen whenever I take a heavy u-turn. The power steering goes out and ai have no control over my steering. According to dealerships the power steering is computerized, so is quite costly to fix. But this is a major safety hazard when driving. This has happened on city streets only when making u-turns.”

   NHTSA complaint #11386544, filed 2021-01, 154,000 miles

   “Driving on the interstate while driving 65mph and lost power steering, (traction control LED came on) and right turn signal quit working all together - had to hold it to pull off the side of the road. I have already fixed this issue before, 4 years ago, for $2000. They quoted me $2400 again, even though there seems to be a recall for this issue with Ford escapes (14s05), just not for my VIN.”

   NHTSA complaint #11405473, filed 2021-03, 78,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Steering, ignition and electrical faults together

   • 257 complaints (20%)
   • median 51,000 mi at 3.0 yrs old (221 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $548 (median of 29 quotes)
   • filed 2011–2026

   Some complaints tie the steering assist loss to other electrical behaviour: flickering headlights and dash lights, gauges and speedometer dropping out, radio or turn signals quitting, and difficulty getting the key to crank the engine. Owners report the dealer either could not duplicate the fault or found a combination of torque sensor, ignition cylinder and charging system problems. Reported from around 67,000 to 150,000 miles, usually described as gradual over weeks.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check that the battery and charging system are healthy, watch for flickering interior or exterior lights, and confirm the key starts the engine reliably on the first few attempts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “All off these events I am describing happened all while driving and still occur while in park. All of these also slowly progressed into one big issue over a month and a half period. It started off as my headlights were dimming and flickering, then it progressed to my dash lights doing the same, flickering and dimming on and off. Then it started affecting my AC and heat, it would get locked to stay on and I would have it turned off but if my gauges were in a certain position sometimes it would just turn on by itself. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11360553, filed 2020-09, 140,000 miles

   “Carrier bearing drive shaft assembly causing severe vibration upon exceleration and and letting off the gas peddle also ignition issue put key in turn on cranking several times before starting unless key is turned back my Escape has 70,000 miles on it I should not be having these issues.my engine light is on and vehicle vibration it has new tires, I replaced tie rods, bearings, in front all new brakes this vehicle has been a big disappointment I have put a lot of money into it and only 70,000 miles for a 2011.please help me out with this …”

   NHTSA complaint #11302506, filed 2020-01, 70,000 miles

Buying note. The electric power steering assist is the item to check most carefully, since owners describe it cutting in and out and repairs can be expensive out of pocket. Ask for records on steering, transmission seal and emissions work, and have the car inspected for subframe corrosion and fluid leaks before agreeing on a price.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.