RoadVitals

2011 Ford Escape Hybrid Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
37
Latest Jul 1, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Steering1431.8%
  • Powertrain (other)511.4%
  • Brakes511.4%
  • Engine49.1%
  • Fuel system36.8%
  • Visibility12.3%
  • Body & structure12.3%
  • Electrical12.3%
  • Other / unspecified12.3%
  • Airbags12.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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)

NHTSA ID 11747578 · filed Jul 1, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID 11655186 · filed Apr 17, 2025
All 14 reports naming steering

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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!

NHTSA ID 11129597 · filed Sep 14, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID 10896633 · filed Aug 17, 2016
All 8 reports naming driver assistance

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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!

NHTSA ID 11129597 · filed Sep 14, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID 10760726 · filed Sep 1, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11678552 · filed Aug 5, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID 11164724 · filed Jan 3, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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!

NHTSA ID 11129597 · filed Sep 14, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID 10760726 · filed Sep 1, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 11153344 · filed Nov 23, 2018

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

NHTSA ID 11078302 · filed Mar 9, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11064697 · filed Jan 24, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10954877 · filed Feb 15, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 10714060 · filed May 1, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10532623 · filed Jul 30, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10664682 · filed Dec 16, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .