NHTSA data checked November 5, 2026 · counts are computed from NHTSA's public APIs, not estimated
Summary
NHTSA's public complaint database lists 1,319 owner complaints for the 2011 Ford Escape, and its recall database lists 3 safety recall campaigns for it.
Leaving out "unknown or other", the component group owners named most often is steering (412 complaints, 31%), followed by power train (268) and fuel/propulsion system (253). A complaint can name more than one group, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
38 complaints say a crash happened and 7 mention a fire; together the complaints report 38 injuries and 0 deaths.
Among Ford Escape model years 2010–2020 in NHTSA's data, 2011 has the 7th-most complaints (1,319, against a median of 1,687 for the other years).
The newest recall is 16V777000, received October 26, 2016, for fuel system, gasoline.
1,319owner complaints
3recall campaigns
38complaints reporting a crash
7complaints reporting a fire
38injuries reported
0deaths reported
Complaints by component
Owners pick one or more component groups when they file. Share is the percent of the 1,319 complaints that name the group.
Component group (NHTSA label)
Complaints
Share
Steeringsteering column, rack and power steering: loss of assist, wander
412
31%
Power Traintransmission, axles and driveshafts: slipping, hesitation, harsh shifts
268
20%
Fuel/Propulsion Systemfuel delivery and propulsion: fuel pumps, leaks, loss of power
Newest first. Summary, risk and remedy are NHTSA's own recall text (a U.S. government record), shown as published. A recall applies only to the vehicles its notice names; your VIN lookup is the final word.
NHTSA campaign 16V777000
Received October 26, 2016 · Fuel System, Gasoline (delivery: fuel pump)
What's wrong: 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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM flange with one that has a redesigned fuel supply port, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 13, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S41.
NHTSA campaign 15E045000
Received June 3, 2015 · Suspension (front: wheel bearing)
What's wrong: The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
Risk: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
NHTSA campaign 14V284000
Received May 29, 2014 · Steering (electric power assist system)
What's wrong: 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.
Risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.
When the complaints were filed
By the year the complaint reached NHTSA. A late rise often means a part wearing out with age or a problem drawing attention after a recall.
How many complaints has NHTSA received about the 2011 Ford Escape?
1,319 owner complaints as of November 5, 2026, per NHTSA's complaints API.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2011 Ford Escape?
Steering is named in 412 of 1,319 complaints (31%); NHTSA's group covers steering column, rack and power steering: loss of assist, wander.
How many recalls does the 2011 Ford Escape have?
3 recall campaigns in NHTSA's recall database, most recently 16V777000 (October 26, 2016). Check a specific car's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is 2011 a bad year for the Ford Escape?
By complaint count, 2011 ranks 7th of 11 Escape model years 2010–2020 in NHTSA's data. Raw counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how old they are.
How to read these numbers
Complaints are reports owners file with NHTSA. NHTSA does not confirm each one, and one problem can be reported more than once.
Counts are not adjusted for sales: a model that sold twice as many cars can collect twice the complaints without being worse per car.
Older model years have had more time to collect complaints.
A recall listed here may not cover every car of this model year. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.