Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, he heard abnormal knocking sounds coming from the engine. The oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled to the nearby gas station where an independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the engine had thrown a rod and there were metal shavings in the engine oil. The contact stated the failure increased significantly while driving at 50 MPH. The contact veered to the side of the road and unlocked the doors. Another driver informed the contact that there there was a fire underneath the vehicle. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. There were no injuries sustained. The contact stated upon towing the vehicle there was a significant amount of oil leaked from the oil pan onto the tow truck vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering failed to work as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with EGR valve failure. The contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contacted stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The dealer confirmed that the vehicle was not included the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and jerked, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was diagnosed by Roadside Assistance as a failure with the alternator. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed as it was confirmed that the alternator had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The dealer was not contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,499.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. Additionally, while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle was shaking abnormally, with an abnormal burning metallic odor outside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the ignition coil for cylinder #2 had melted and a computer failure also occurred. No further information was available. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 85,000.
got rear ended/t-boned in january 2022 at low rate of speed, started having issues for the first time since 2011, check engine light comes on periodically since the accident, power steering has gone in and out periodically since the accident, engine seems to stumble periodically since March 2022, AC has never worked since 2011, recently (june 3rd 2022) the tire pressure sensor light has come on despite air pressure being adequate in all 4 tires, took car to a collision specialist and they repaired cosmetic damages but cleared 3 codes and did not repair/resolve any of the actual issues affecting drivability and safety because they could not attribute it to the mechanism of accident, took the print out of codes in to my normal mechanic when I got the tires and oil changed June 3rd 2022 and he said if there were no active codes I would have to take it to the dealership, yesterday June 24th …
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. …
Back in June, I took my vehicle to have it checked out. When I accelerate, the SUV would feel like it was dragging something under the tires and riding very rough and bumpy, actually the vehicle was shaking while driving, then it would stop when I slow down. Even when I turn off the engine for a few hours and then drive it, its fine. No warning lights on dashboard. Fred Beans replaced spark plugs, changed filters, cleaned throttle body, oil change. Now it 's doing the same thing. If I am idle in park with AC on for a few minutes, it does it. Sometimes after I fill it with fuel, it does it. As far as I am know, they never checked the fuel pump. SUV shakes for about 2 minutes then stops. It feels as though I am getting a flat in all tires.
Discovered my car has electric power steering not seeing a reservoir did some research and seen that there were a lot of 2011 Ford Escapes with safety recalls three being the main problems I've had with my car since I began financing it almost 4 years ago my last payment is in 2 weeks. Went to leave a driveway and within a few seconds my steering wheel locked up and I thought it was strange that's when I found out I have electric power steering and that there has been recalls turned the car off turn to back on and it was just fine. Found out that is a common thing although it may not be considered a safety recall just yet but I would believe it is a major problem because anytime in my life if I was to believe my power steering was failing me I would still have control over the wheel but this thing locks up as if I ain't going nowhere. …
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. While stationary, the vehicle caught fire twice without warning. The contact extinguished the first fire with a garden hose. The second fire was extinguished by the fire department. The fire originated from the engine. A police report was filed and there were no injuries sustained. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 55,000.
NHTSA investigations
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
On February 21, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 to investigate allegations of electronic throttle body (ETB) failures resulting in sudden reduction of engine power in model year (MY) 2009-2013 Ford Escape, Fusion, Mariner and Milan vehicles.
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles.
Engine complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2011 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 263 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2011 Ford Escape, 20% of the model year's 1,318 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › gas recirculation valve (egr valve) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Ford Escape engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 5 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.