The Lemon Index

All cars · Ford Escape · 2011

2011 Ford Escape. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index189100 = average car
Complaints560NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold254,293U.S. model year
Per 100K sold220complaints
Year rank#16 of 22#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 7

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.5L 4-cylManual 5-spdFWD23 / 28 / 25Regular$2,500
2.5L 4-cylAuto 6-spdFWD21 / 27 / 23Regular$2,700
2.5L 4-cylAuto 6-spdAWD20 / 26 / 22Regular$2,850
2.5L 4-cyl hybridAuto (variable gear ratios)FWD34 / 30 / 32Regular$1,950
2.5L 4-cyl hybridAuto (variable gear ratios)4WD30 / 27 / 29Regular$2,150
3.0L 6-cylAuto 6-spdFWD19 / 25 / 21Regular$2,950
3.0L 6-cylAuto 6-spdAWD18 / 23 / 20Regular$3,100

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 39,700 and 96,000 miles. Median 57,000, from 1,095 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Steering110,00078,000–144,000319
Transmission & drivetrain45,20036,400–60,600257
Fuel or ev drive system49,00039,300–66,600180
Speed control45,00035,000–56,000248
Engine47,00037,900–61,000239

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Speed control40%
Transmission & drivetrain38%
Engine32%
Fuel or ev drive system23%
Electrical9%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
1,35541730032

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 16V777000 Oct 2016 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Fuel Pump

    Defect. 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

  • 15E045000 Jun 2015 Suspension / Front / Wheel Bearing

    Defect. 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.

  • 14V284000 May 2014 Steering / Electric Power Assist System

    Defect. 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

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedLoss of power steering while driving20152018
ClosedElectronic throttle body malfunction20132014
ClosedElectronic throttle body malfunction20122013
ClosedRear liftgate window glass breakage20112011

Manufacturer communications 49

Ford filed 49 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • 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…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Ford Escape SUV 4x4★★★☆☆★★★☆☆★★★☆☆★★★☆☆
Ford Escape SUV 4x2★★★☆☆★★★☆☆★★★☆☆★★★☆☆
Ford Escape Hev SUV 4x4★★★☆☆★★★☆☆★★★☆☆★★★☆☆
Ford Escape Hev SUV 4x2★★★☆☆★★★☆☆★★★☆☆★★★☆☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2008227352156,544Transmission & drivetrain
2009103143173,044Transmission & drivetrain
20105161,094191,026Speed control
2011189560254,293Speed control
201258168261,008Speed control
2013155557295,993Engine
2014107358306,212Engine

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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