The Lemon Index2011 Ford Escape.
The 2011 Ford Escape is worse than average by owner complaints: 560 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 189, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 20 to 32 mpg combined. The best Ford Escape year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,355 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford Escape year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 39K to 96K miles on the car (1,095 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 78K–144K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 36K–60K miles
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 39K–66K miles
Recalls 3
- fuel system, gasoline 2016
On vehicles with a 3.0L engine, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack, causing a fuel leak.
- suspension 2015
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.
- steering 2014
The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 49 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Illuminated mil or safety stop now message, or a no
- On the left hand half shaft seal, there is a fluid leak from the transmission because of wear…
- Mercury/ford: on some vehicles, there is a fluid leakage, coming from left hand (lh) halfshaft…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of power steering while driving2015–2018
- ClosedElectronic throttle body malfunction2013–2014
- ClosedElectronic throttle body malfunction2012–2013
- ClosedRear liftgate window glass breakage2011
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Escape SUV 4x4 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ford Escape SUV 4x2 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ford Escape Hev SUV 4x4 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ford Escape Hev SUV 4x2 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2000–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Car 4 months past warranty, stuck in traffic when suddenly not getting gas. Dealership says is throttle body. See lots more complaints so wanted to register mine too.
2011 Ford Escape owner · NHTSA complaint 10553372
More owner reports
Pulling out of the driveway of my home, the car surged forward on its own and narrowly missed the neighbor. This surging of the engine on its own is going to cause a death one of these days. Ford really needs to look into this.
NHTSA complaint 10562249
The fuel throttle body failed & the engine died. Pulled off the road & restarted the engine, was able to limp home, (10 miles).
NHTSA complaint 10547170
Quick answers
Is the 2011 Ford Escape reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 189; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Escape year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.
What are the most common 2011 Ford Escape problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (40%), transmission & drivetrain (38%) and engine (32%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Ford Escape have?
3 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Ford Escape get?
20 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2011 Ford Escape safe?
NHTSA gave it 3 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2011 Ford Escape problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 39,700 and 96,000 miles. The middle report was at 57,000 miles, from 1,095 complaints.
Does the 2011 Ford Escape have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 38% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 Ford Escape cost in fuel a year?
About $2000 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Ford Escape have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Ford Escape year is better than the 2011?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works