2011 Ford Escape Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (13) · Vehicle Speed Control (8) · Fuel/Propulsion System (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Escape Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
36 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (4)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery 2016-09-08 · TSB 16-0118 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005-2012 escape hybrid and 2006-2011 mariner hybrid vehicles may set dtcs p0a81 (battery pack cooling fan 1 control circuit) and/or p0a96 (battery pack cooling fan 2 control circuit) in the traction battery control module (tbcm). these codes by themselves normally do not result in any symptoms
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2015-07-01 · 44863 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: no service action is recommended for this condition. please use at your discretion. various 2010-2015 vehicles may experience a turbulence noise, similar to an helicopter noise, at highway speeds when the rear door window(s) or sunroof are open. *ta
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2013-05-01 · AS1-32241 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: on various vehicles with my touch,after any apim programming, replacement or disconnect from front display interface module (fdim), touchscreen calibration must be performed. model years 2011-2013. no models listed. *pe
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights 2012-05-01 · TSB-22353 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: due to a possible leak in the internal check valve, the red brake lamp illuminates with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) c1015, c0101c or p1a1b with brake pedal feeling no change. *pe
What owners report
2026-07-01 · Steering“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 t…”
2025-08-05 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 85,000 mi“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 unab…”
2025-04-17 · Steering · 130,000 mi“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 …”
2024-06-03 · Steering · 75,000 mi“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 me…”
2022-02-25 · Steering · 220,000 mi“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…”
2022-02-16 · Steering · 120,000 mi“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 fa…”
2019-05-28 · Steering · 83,000 mi“when steering car making tight turns causes the steering wheel to lock up and makes it extremely difficult to turn.…”
2019-01-03 · Service Brakes · 99,000 mi“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…”
2019-01-03 · Service Brakes · 99,000 mi“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 escap…”
2018-12-05 · Steering · 1 mi“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…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.