2011 Ford Escape Hybrid

Routine

Owners filed 37 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. No safety recall has been issued.

Not among the Ford Escape Hybrid years to avoid. Which Ford Escape Hybrid years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
79,000 milesMedian miles at failure

35 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,000–90,000 miles.

Most common 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid problems

14 of the 37 complaints (38%) are about the steering.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering14
000
Service Brakes · brakes4
100
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration3
200
Power Train · transmission3
000
Fuel/Propulsion System · fuel and propulsion system3
000
Engine3
000
Unknown or Other2
000
Visibility/Wiper · wipers1
000
Structure › Body · body and frame1
001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · brakes1
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed Jul 1, 2026CA

The steering wheel locked in one position i pulled over shut off the car restarted and the steering wheel started working again. Is their a recall on my 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid with this problem. This scared me to death I got lucky and the road was straight and I was able to stop the car. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 5, 202585,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. Additionally, while attempting to stop the vehicle the brake pedal extended to the floorboard, causing the stopping distance to be extended. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Steering
Filed Apr 17, 2025130,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while 65 MPH on the freeway, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the power steering assist failed to operate. The contact stated that after turning off and restarting the vehicle, the power steering functionality returned; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the steering control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacture was made of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was transferred by the manufacturer to NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Steering
Filed Jun 3, 202475,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle experienced electrical power steering failure. The check engine and brake system light warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring for several years. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the torque sensor and the steering column assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Steering
Filed Feb 25, 2022220,000 milesNC

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced a loss of electric power steering assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

Steering
Filed Feb 16, 2022120,000 milesPA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality. The contact stated that he was able to safely pull to the side of the road and restart the vehicle. Once the vehicle was restarted the vehicle drove normally for approximately 30 minutes before the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was notified of NHTSA campaign 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was contacted and the contact was informed that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Steering
Filed May 28, 201983,000 milesMA

WHEN STEERING CAR MAKING TIGHT TURNS CAUSES THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP AND MAKES IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 3, 201999,000 milesGA

I WAS DRIVING IN ATLANTA GA ON CITY STREETS, CROSSED RR TRACKS WHILE BREAKING AND ABS AND OTHER LIGHTS FLASHED. AT THE SAME TIME I LOST ALL BREAKING POWER, THE BREAK PEDAL WHEN ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO SWERVE INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE BREAKS WORKED ENOUGH FOR ME TO STOP THE CAR. AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES I STARTED THE ESCAPE BACK UP AND DRIVE AROUND THE PARKING LOT, THE BREAKS SEEMED TO BE WORKING AGAIN SO I DROVE HOME. I TOOK THE ESCAPE TO HENNESSY FORD IN ATLANTA GA, THEY REPORTED TWO ERROR CODES REPORTED INDICATING A FAILED HCU (HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT) AND A FAILED ECU (ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT). IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT THE ECU IS THE "BRAIN" FOR THE HCU. AFTER RESETTING THE SYSTEM AND TEST DRIVING THE ESCAPE, THE CODES APPEARED AGAIN QUICKLY. HENNESSY FORD QUOTED $4100.00 TO REPLACE BOTH THE HCU AND ECU.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 3, 201999,000 milesGA

I WAS DRIVING IN ATLANTA, CROSSED RR TRACKS WHILE BREAKING AND ABS AND OTHER LIGHTS FLASHED. AT THE SAME TIME I LOST ALL BREAKING POWER IN MY 2011 ESCAPE HYBRID, THE BREAK PEDAL WHEN ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO SWERVE INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE BREAKS WORKED ENOUGH FOR ME TO STOP THE CAR. AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES I STARTED THE ESCAPE BACK UP AND DRIVE AROUND THE PARKING LOT, THE BREAKS SEEMED TO BE WORKING AGAIN SO I DROVE HOME. I TOOK THE ESCAPE TO HENNESSY FORD IN ATLANTA GA, THEY REPORTED TWO ERROR CODES REPORTED INDICATING A FAILED HCU (HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT) AND A FAILED ECU (ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT). IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT THE ECU IS THE "BRAIN" FOR THE HCU. AFTER RESETTING THE SYSTEM AND TEST DRIVING THE ESCAPE, THE CODES APPEARED AGAIN QUICKLY. HENNESSY FORD QUOTED $4100.00 TO REPLACE BOTH THE HCU AND ECU.

Steering
Filed Dec 5, 20181 milesCO

AFTER DRIVING LESS THAN A MILE FROM HOME ON A COLD DAY, I WAS STOPPED TO TURN LEFT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED HARD LEFT. THE STEERING WHEEL FORCED ITSELF BACK RIGHT WITH SIGNIFICANT FORCE. I COULDN'T TURN IT BACK RIGHT SO I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON THE STEERING BEHAVED NORMALLY. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED AN INSPECTION AND CHECKED THE COMPUTER CODES. THAT REPORT IS ATTACHED. THE REPORT STATES THAT THE FAULT CODES INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE TORQUE/ANGLE SENSOR AND STEERING CONTROL MODULE. THIS PROBLEM, SHOULD IT OCCUR WHILE MOVING COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE DEATH. SINCE MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT COVERED BY THE EXISTING RECALLS FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM, I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE AND ADD MY VIN TO THE RECALL 14V284000 OR 14S05.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 23, 201888,000 milesMN

REMOTE STARTED VEHICLE AND WAS WALKING UP LESS THAN 2 MINUTES AFTER. NOTICE PUDDLE UNDER GAS TANK AREA. GAS WAS POURING OUT. VEHICLE WAS RUNNING BUT STATIONARY. IT WAS OBVIOUS LATER THAT GASS HAS BEEN LEAKING OUT WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO WORK

Steering
Filed Nov 6, 201884,763 milesCA

I WAS DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT (GOING VERY SLOW) WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE AND I COULD NOT MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT IT WAS FROZEN MY ENTIRE DASH BOARD LIT UP. I QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON - MY STEERING WHEEL WAS STILL SHAKING BUT NOT AS MUCH AND MY DASH HAD THE TCS CODE ON. I TOOK IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY AND THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE MADE ME SO NERVOUS. AT A STOP LIGHT I THREW IT IN NEUTRAL AND THAT DID SEEM TO HELP AND GOT RID OF THE CONSTANT TSC LIGHT ON THE DASH AND THE CAR DROVE A LITTLE SMOOTHER TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT I NEED A NEW STEERING WHEEL COLUMN ALONG WITH TORQUE SENSOR AND SOFTWARE UPDATE. I ASKED IF THIS IS FROM WEAR AND TEAR AND THEY SAID NO JUST A FAULTY MALFUNCTION TO THE TUNE OF 2036 DOLLARS. I HAVE A FORD ESCAPE 2011 WITH 84,000 MILES ON IT ONLY SERVICED AT FORD FOR IT'S LIFE. I HAVE A CASE NUMBER WITH THE FORD REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER WHO WILL DECIDE IF THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF THIS SINCE THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM(14S05) FOR OVER A MILLION FORD ESCAPES AND MARINERS 2008-2011. THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE THE HYBRID BUT THERE ARE SO MANY LESS HYBRIDS OUT THERE SO THEY ARE NOT INCLUDED. HOWEVER I HAD A THROTTLE PROBLEM A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK WHERE MY CAR WOULD STALL OUT GOING 60 MILES AND HOUR SUPER DANGEROUS. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR FORD ESCAPES FOR THE THROTTLE BUT NOT THE FORD ESCAPE HYBRID HOWEVER THEY DID COVER THE REPAIR SINCE IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM EXIST

Engine
Filed Sep 14, 2018114,980 milesMN

I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE, USED, A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. I ASKED FOR THE CARFAX AND IF THERE WERE ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE SALESMAN LET ME GLANCE AT HIS SCREEN AND SCROLLED THROUGH TO HUMOR ME AND PROMISED THERE WERE NO ISSUES. A FEW DAYS AGO WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY USING CRUISE CONTROL, THE CC KICKED OFF AND MY CAR JERKED. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD TROUBLE ACCELERATING AND CONTROLLING THE SPEED OF MY CAR. A LITTEL ORANGE WRENCH CAME ON. THIS MORNING AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I FELT LIKE I ALMOST GOT INTO 3 ACCIDENTS FOR LACK OF CONTROL OF MY CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME I SHOULDN'T EVEN BE DRIVING IT BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF SPEED CONTROL. NOW I'M STUCK PAYING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS, MAYBE THOUSANDS, FOR LACK OF PROPER DISCLOSURE AND FAULTY MANUFACTURING. FORD ISSUES A LIFETIME WARRANTY RATHER THAN A RECALL, WHICH IS A DISGRACE AS THEY'RE WAITING FOR CUSTOMERS TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS AND GET HURT BEFORE THEY FIX ANYTHING. THIS SHOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE!

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 9, 201824,000 milesNE

THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE MAY DEVELOP A CRACK IN THE FUEL SUPPLY PORT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LEAK SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 16S41 / NHTSA RECALL 16V - 777

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jan 24, 201860,544 milesOH

ONE JANUARY 23, 2018, THE REAR WINDOW OF MY LEGALLY-PARKED 2011 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID LIMITED SUDDENLY SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. THOUSANDS OF GLASS FRAGMENTS WENT ALL OVER, NARROWLY MISSING A HUMAN AND A DOG, BUT THERE WERE NO APPARENT INJURIES. THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING AT THE TIME, BUT WAS LEGALLY PARKED AND TOTALLY STATIONARY.

Steering
Filed Dec 8, 2017551,000 milesNY

STEERING WHEEL DOESNT MOVE

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 24, 2017102,500 milesNY

GEAR SHIFTER LEVER GOES INTO PARK BUT VEHICLE CONTINUOUS ROLLING FORWARD, EXCLAMATION SIGN COMES ON VEHICLE DISPLAYS SAFELY VEHICLE WILL NOT START UNTIL YOU SHIFT IT TO DRIVE THEN PARK AND THEN APPLY HANDBRAKE

Steering
Filed Oct 16, 2017113,000 milesMI

WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND TURNING A CORNER I HEARD WARNING BEEPS AND SLIGHT SHAKE FROM THE STEERING. I SLOWED DOWN AND THE POWER STEERING FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON I COULD BARELY COMPLETE THE TURN AVOIDING HITTING ANOTHER CAR. THE POWER STEER WENT OUT

Structure › Body1 injured
Filed Feb 15, 201727,000 milesPA

WHILE CLOSING LIFT GATE THE GLASS EXPLODED BEFORE THE LIFT GATE EVER MADE CONTACT WITH VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IN MY DRIVEWAY.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 6, 201775,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE FUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK OUT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

Steering
Filed Jan 2, 2017395,000 milesVA

THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS I PULLED MY ESCAPE FROM A PARKING SPACE ON A CITY STREET; I COULD GO FORWARD OR BACK BUT ONLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WITH GREAT EFFORT. I DROVE HOME WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY, BARELY ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL FOR THE TURNS I HAD TO MAKE -- IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I CHECKED THE NHSTA WEBSITE AND LEARNED THAT FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 ESCAPES MADE IN THE KANSAS CITY, MO. FACTORY DUE TO POWER STEERING FAILURE AND THAT NHTSA HAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP MANAGER TOWED IT THE NEXT MORNING AND TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD COST $2100 TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING COLUMN AND HOUSING. WHEN I ASKED WHY IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE THE RECALL WHEN IT MET ALL THE CRITERIA, HE SAID BECAUSE IT'S A HYBRID - THE RECALL ONLY APPLIES TO NON-HYBRIDS. HOWEVER, THE MANAGER SAID HE WOULD TRY TO GET IT COVERED. HE WAS ABLE TO GET FORD TO COVER TWO-THIRDS OF THE COST; I STILL HAD TO PAY $500. THE MANAGER WAS GREAT, FORD WAS NOT. I'M EXTREMELY UPSET BY FORD'S POSITION THAT HYBRIDS AREN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL WHEN THE PROBLEM IS EXACTLY THE SAME AND THE CAR MET ALL THE CRITERIA. IT WAS A TERRIBLE WAY TO TREAT A LIFE LONG FORD OWNER. THINGS WOULD HAVE BEEN EVEN WORSE IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE MANAGER WHO WAS VERY CUSTOMER-ORIENTED.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Aug 17, 2016115,000 milesMD

WHILE TURNING LEFT, FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, IN A SMALL STRIP MALL PARKING LOT, CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND KEPT ACCELERATING. ALTHOUGH I TRIED TO STEER, CAR CRASHED INTO SEVERAL HEDGES, OVER HIGH CURBS, TIRE BLEW OUT, FINALLY STOPPED BY CRASHING INTO TREE 8 PARALLEL FEET FROM GAS PUMP. BRAKES DID NOT SLOW CAR DOWN. NO IDEA WHY.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 28, 201685,500 milesKS

I BOUGHT MY FORD ESCAPE BECAUSE THEY ARE DEPENDABLE. BUT ON MY WAY TO WORK A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, MY CAR SLIPPED OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL CAUSING ME TO LURCH FORWARD AT 70+ MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. I COULDN'T REENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE WRENCH ICON WAS LIT ON THE DASH. THE NEXT DAY MY CAR WAS FINE SO I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST AN ISSUE WITH CRUISE CONTROL SO I STOPPED USING IT. BUT THAT DIDN'T SOLVE THE ISSUE AND MY CAR WOULD RANDOMLY DOWNSHIFT WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY (THE WRENCH LIGHT COMING ON). WHILE IDLING, MY RPMS WOULD GO UP WITHOUT ME STEPPING ON THE GAS. BECAUSE OF MY BUSY WORK SCHEDULE, I SPENT ALMOST 2 WEEKS NOT KNOWING IF I WAS GOING TO GET STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN 100 DEGREE HEAT EVERY TIME I GOT IN THE CAR. EVENTUALLY IT WAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NOT THE WRENCH LIGHT, THAT CAME ON. I KNEW I HAD TO GET MY CAR IN. I WAS SO UPSET WHEN I LEARNED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY GETTING STUCK OPEN OR STUCK SHUT WAS AN ISSUE THAT FORD ALREADY KNEW ABOUT. I TAKE MY CAR IN REGULARLY FOR MAINTENANCE AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN FIXED BEFORE IT BECAME AN ISSUE. NOW THAT I CANNOT DEPEND ON FORD TO LOOK OUT FOR MY BEST INTEREST ABOVE THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR, I WILL BE WIDENING MY SEARCH NEXT TIME I PURCHASE A VEHICLE.

Steering
Filed Mar 31, 201679,000 milesCT

THIS COMPLAINT IS CLOSELY RELATED TO A 2014 RECALL RELATIVE TO ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST ON FORD ESCAPE AND MERCURY MARINER VEHICLES, HOWEVER FORD STATES MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. REF: NHTSA ACTION#DP15001, NHTSA 14V-284, FORD 14S05. PROBLEM: ON A NEARLY-DAILY BASIS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST (WHICH IS ALL-ELECTRIC ON THIS VEHICLE) "DROPS OUT" BRIEFLY - TYPICALLY FOR 1-3 SECONDS - OFTEN DURING A TURN. THE VEHICLE STEERING HAS A STRONG TENDENCY TO "CENTER" SO FOR A DRIVER WITHOUT UPPER BODY STRENGTH THIS COULD EASILY CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. ON TWO OCCASIONS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST HAS STOPPED AND REMAINED INACTIVE AFTER RE-STARTING, WHICH REQUIRED ME TO VISIT A REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE SOFTWARE RESET - A 5 MINUTE PROCESS PERFORMED WITH A PROGRAMMED IPAD. FORD'S RECALL CENTER AND CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER TOOK THE CASE #, BUT WANT ME TO VISIT A DEALER AND PAY FOR A DIAGNOSIS. ISSUE HAS OCCURRED BOTH TURNING AND NOT TURNING; LOW SPEED AND HIGHWAY SPEED, COLD AND WARM WEATHER.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 6, 201620,000 milesOR

MY HUSBAND SIMPLY SHUT THE TRUNK OF THE CAR AS WE HAVE A HUNDRED TIMES BEFORE AND THE REAR WINDOW ABRUPTLY SHATTERED. WE WERE PARKED AND STATIONARY. WE'D HAD SNOW IN PORTLAND THE DAY BEFORE BUT THE IDEA THAT THE WINDOW COULDN'T WITHSTAND THAT TEMPERATURE IS RIDICULOUS. I'VE READ ONLINE THAT AN NHTSA INVESTIGATION WAS LAUNCHED IN 2011 INTO THESE KINDS OF EVENTS BUT I DO HOPE THAT SOMETHING IS DONE SOON, ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS: WE ARE THANKFUL THAT OUR TWO DAUGHTERS WERE STANDING CLEAR OF THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENED.

Engine
Filed Sep 1, 201513,000 milesIN

WHILE DRIVING EASTBOUND ON I70 THROUGH KANSAS, MY 2011 ESCAPE HYBRID LOST POWER TO THE DRIVE TRAIN. WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE STARTED RACING AS IF IT HAD SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. WHILE COASTING, I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN BACK TO DRIVE. IT CONTINUED TO BE UNRESPONSIVE TO MY STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I COASTED TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY INDICATOR WARNING AT THE TIME, ALTHOUGH IN SUBSEQUENT SIMILAR EVENTS, THE STOP SAFELY HAZARD WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTED. THE CAR SHOWED NO SIGN OF ANY PROBLEM. I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR AND DROVE ON WITHOUT FURTHER TROUBLE. THE DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR AND SUGGESTED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS SOMEHOW A RANDOM OCCURRENCE THAT WAS UNLIKELY TO HAPPEN AGAIN. AS I DISCOVERED, IT HAPPENED OVER AND OVER AGAIN, BUT ONLY ON LONG TRIPS, AND THE SERVICE PEOPLE COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. MOST RECENTLY THE CAR FAILED AS DESCRIBED NO LESS THAN 16 TIMES ON A 1300 MILE TRIP THIS SUMMER.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 18, 2015256,000 milesNY

I WAS PARKING MY FORD ESCAPE HYBRID WHILE MOVING BACK AND FORWARD I NOTICE BRAKE PADDLE JERK AND PADDLE LOST BRAKING POWER.

Power Train
Filed Jul 12, 201571,099 milesMD

I DROVE AWAY FROM MY HOME AND FOR THE FIRST TWO BLOCKS FELT THAT THE CAR WAS ACTING SLUGGISH AND NOT ACCELERATING PROPERLY; I WAS HAVING TROUBLE GETTING OVER 15 MPH. I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR SLOWLY ACCELERATED TO AROUND 25 MPH. THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. I PULLED OVER, STOPPED AND STARTED IT AGAIN, BUT AGAIN THE ACCELERATION WAS VERY SLOW. I THEN TURNED AROUND HEADED FOR HOME, VERY AFRAID THAT IT WOULD SIMPLY ROLL TO A STOP. OVER A DISTANCE OF 10 BLOCKS, WITH THE ACCELERATOR PRESSED TO THE FLOOR THE ENTIRE TIME, I ONLY MANAGED TO GET TO 25 MPH AND THAT TOOK MANY MINUTES. I ONLY HAVE 71,000 MILES ON THE CAR, AND THERE WERE NO ISSUES AT ALL BEFORE THIS, NOT EVEN WHEN WE DROVE EARLIER ON THE SAME DAY.

Electrical System
Filed May 1, 201538,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 16, 201482,000 milesCA

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK CAR TO THE MECHANIC WHICH SCANNED THE CAR. THE OHMS ON THE AIRBAG CAME IN HIGHER THAN SPEC. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 15, 201433,000 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING MY NEWLY PURCHASED FORD ESCORT (BOUGHT IN MAY 2014) I LOST POWER,THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHUT OFF BUT I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE & IT SPUTTERED & SHOOK UNTIL I COULD SAFELY PULL OFF THE ROAD. A LIGHTED WRENCH CAME ON WHICH I HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS UNTIL I LOOKED IN THE MANUAL (DRIVETRAIN). ONCE I WAS SAFELY OFF THE ROAD I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF & WAITED AWHILE & STARTED IT BACK UP & IT HAD POWER AGAIN & I CONTINUED ON MY WAY. I WAS OUT OF TOWN AT THE TIME WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. I REALLY AM CONFUSED AS TO WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS. I FEEL MY FAMILY WAS IN DANGER AS I WAS ON A VERY BUSY ROADWAY & LOST POWER IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS MY FIRST FORD VEHICLE & SO FAR NOT IMPRESSED. I REALLY HOPE THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE SOON. WHY DO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THERE IS A CATASTROPHE FOR SOMETHING TO GET DONE? *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 7, 201450,000 milesNY

THE STEERING WHEEL LOSES POWER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AGAIN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM OFTEN HAPPENS IN COLD WEATHER AND USUALLY IN THE MORNING. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO MAKES A WEIRD SOUND BEFORE IT LOSES POWER. I HAVE FRIENDS WHO HAVE THE SAME VEHICLE BUT OF DIFFERENT YEAR AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN. *TR

Engine
Filed Oct 14, 201360,000 milesMO

I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45MPH WHEN MY VEHICLE LOST SPEED, AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO PRESSURE TO THE GAS. AS I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I HAD TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON TO GET IT TO WORK. I HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN A DOZEN TIMES SINCE THEN. IN A PARKING GARAGE, AT LOW SPEEDS, ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70MPH. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 2, 201362,000 milesNC

AS I WAS PULLING OUT ON THE ROAD WITH MY WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN ABOARD, THE CAR SUDDENLY AND WITH OUT WARNING LOST POWER AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE. SOME $500.00 PLUS DOLLARS LATER, WE FOUND OUT THE THROTTLE BODY, SAME AS THE ARTICLE MENTIONED, WAS DEFECTIVE AND WE WERE ALSO TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PART FROM THE FACTORY BUT A RECALL HAD NOT BEEN ISSUED. THANK GOD I WAS NOT PASSING ANYONE AT THE TIME. FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES. *JS

Steering
Filed Jul 30, 201325,000 milesNY

AT 40-45 MPH HEAR WHEEL BEARING NOISE. DEALER CONFIRMED AND BOTH RIGHT FRONT BEARINGS (MAIN AND CARRIER) REPLACED BY FORD DEALER. STILL HAD NOISE AFTER REPLACEMENT. DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE CARRIER BEARING JUST REPLACED WAS BAD. REPLACED CARRIER BEARING AGAIN BUT STILL HAVING SAME NOISE. DEALER STATED THERE HAVE BEEN MANY WHEEL BEARING PROBLEMS, AND THAT FAULTY BEARINGS ARE COMING TO FORD FROM VENDOR. PROBLEM AS YET NOT RESOLVED. SEEMS FORD IS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY WHICH BEARINGS ARE BAD WITHOUT INSTALLING THEM. I AM CONCERNED WITH POTENTIAL WHEEL LOCK UP AT SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY A FRONT WHEEL. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed May 29, 20139,390 milesNC

DROVE 2011 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID INTO PARKING SPACE AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. FRONT WHEELS WERE TURNED SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT AS A RESULT OF TURNING INTO THE PARKING SPACE. CAR SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD, WENT UP AND OVER CURB IN FRONT OF CAR, AND HIT A PARKED CAR SEVERAL FEET AWAY BEFORE VEHICLE COULD BE STOPPED. INCIDENT OCCURRED IN DAYLIGHT AND GOOD WEATHER CONDITIONS. NO PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH VEHICLE. HIGHLY UNLIKELY TO BE DRIVER ERROR - DRIVER IN 50'S IS VERY CAREFUL AND PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT HAD PERFECT DRIVING RECORD FOR DECADES. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Sep 20, 201219,517 milesTX

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE FROM TEXAS MOTORS FORD, FORT WORTH, TX ON OR ABOUT JULY 13, 2011. APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER, I BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE VEHICLE WHEN, ON OCTOBER 24, 2011, AFTER COMING TO A STOP IN MY GARAGE, THE VEHICLE SWITCHED FROM ELECTRIC POWER TO GAS POWER AND LUNGED FORWARD INTO THE CABINET ON THE FRONT WALL OF MY GARAGE, DESPITE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I TOOK MY (HAD IT TOWED) VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON THE SAME DAY. THE SERVICE MANAGER HAD ADVISED ME OVER THE PHONE NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. AT THAT TIME, THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR, BUT HAD REPAIRED THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. ABOUT TEN MONTHS LATER (AUGUST 13, 2012), AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT MY SURGEON'S OFFICE AT 7257 HAWKINS VIEW DR. (HARRIS SW), FORT WORTH, TX, THE VEHICLE, AFTER I WAS STOPPED, AGAIN SURGED INTO GAS MODE, JUMPED THE CURB AND RAN INTO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE BUILDING, DOING STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING AND THE WINDOW DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE CAR. WE TOOK 35 PHOTOS OF THE VEHICLE AND BUILDING AT THAT TIME. *TR

All 37 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2008
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20251000Routine
20244000Routine
202324000Routine
202270020Routine
2021124120Routine
2020290110Above average
20135000Routine
201215000Routine
2011 — this page37000Routine
201059000Routine
2009153030Routine
2008443010Above average
2007124010Routine
2006219010Above average
2005178000Routine

Compare every Escape Hybrid year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.