Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Airbag light on/ flashing. Shop says "passenger side seat belt retractor assembly" needs replaced. I switched it with a known working part, didn't fix the issue. Upon further research I found that it is a known issue. Source: [redacted] April 1, 2011 MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER: SIS-21841 Components: AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NHTSA ID Number: 10038965 Manufacturer Communication Number: SIS-21841 Summary: COMM-TRANS LUND: SOME 2009-2011 MODELS MAY HAVE THE AIR BAG INICATOR FLASHING WITH A STORED TROUBLE CODE. THIS IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM. I have contacted both local dealerships, as well as Ford corporate. The remedy they all 3 offered: Take it in for diagnostics (I'm already fully aware of the issue) which will cost me around $300, then they will tell me if there's even a possibly solution. …
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated upon starting the vehicle and remained illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they diagnosed that the front passenger's side air bag sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 195,500.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his granddaughter was driving 30-35 MPH, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 206,550.
Police report; brunswick, oh 2002113 1/16/2020 unit 2 was traveling north on marks road. Unit 3 was south bound on marks road attempting to make a left turn onto sleepy hollow road. Unit 1 was traveling south bound on marks road. Unit 1 crossed left of center to avoid hitting unit 3. Unit 1 struck the rear left corner of unit 3 and then struck unit 2 head on. Driver and passenger of unit1 reported no injuries, they were cleared by ems. Driver and passenger of unit 2 reported injuries and were transported to southwest general (er) brunswick campus. Driver of unit 3 reported no injuries. The driver of unit 1 was sited in violation of orc 4511.21a assured clear distance (speed). Citation number; t44852 the airbags in unit 2 did not deploy. Air bags in unit 1 deployed front and sides. Insurance claim number: progressive 205164024 car has been released to insurance company. …
Driving a 2011 Ford Escape, and while waiting at a stop light heading south at a major intersection, upon the light turning green, I proceeded to enter the intersection at approx. 10 MPH. Next thing I know, I am t-boning a car that ran the red light entering the intersection from the east at 40 miles and hour. I was unable to see her approach because of a large truck on my left that was turning left to go east. The impact spun the car that ran the red light around 180 degress then hit a third car and stopped. There were no injuries amongst any of the parties involved in the accident. My concern is that my airbags did not deploy. The total front of my car was smashed in and the bumper just about torn off. Damage incurred by my car made it a total loss. Driverwho ran the red light was ticketed by the police. …
My wife was in a accident involving her 2011 Ford Escape. She was hit in the front end by another vehicle and her car was totaled. Her air bag didn't deploy!! She was beat up and bruised quite a bit but was lucky to not have any broken bones. I believe that if either vehicle were traveling faster than they were she might had been severely injured if not killed. I sent Ford the info including the VIN number 3 days ago and have not had a reply. Do you think this was an anomaly or have you heard other Ford escapes with the same issue?? My wife had stopped at a stop sign and said she looked both ways then proceeded to pull making a left turn when the other vehicle approached her from her left and struck her in the front end on an angle. The entire front grill and bumper were both knocked off pushing the radiator into the engine. My wife was cited for failure to yield.
"Takata recall" on May 11th 2019, my auntie and I were involved in a accident that was no fault of my own. A black Toyota stop in front of when us, I hit the brakes on impact, the airbags deployed and blowup in my face, knocking out one of my crowns and shift my teeth, I went to the dentist office after leaving the hospital, the doctor told me I swallowed particles and my left side of my face would not stop hurting, I also let the dentist know the airbag blowup in my face, he found my root canal was framed in half, in order to fix the problem I would have to pay 12,000.00 of my own money to repair the tooth and other damage teeth that were shifted or I would loose them in the future, I haven't smiled sense.I was driving north bound on highway they were traveling east bound at a four way crossing into a gas station.
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being operated on wet road conditions, it hydroplaned and the contact lost control of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle was involved in a front end collision. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer and the dealer were not notified of the failure. There were no injuries, which required medical attention. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. The VIN was not provided. Updated 10/31/17 updated 10/31/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the entire instrumental panel failed. As a result, the contact crashed into the preceding vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a mild concussion and bruises to the body that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 53,000. Updated 7/1/15 the consumer stated while driving the lights flashed, ignition system stalled, brakes failed, and the steering locked up. Updated 9/15/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. While making a left turn at 20 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The driver side air bag deployed but failed to inflate and the side air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained head injuries and the rear passenger side passenger sustained head injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Airbag complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2011 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Ford Escape, 2% of the model year's 1,318 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Ford Escape airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2011 Ford Escape, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Ford Escape airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 18 crashes, 0 fires and 23 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.