What 1,312 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Ford Escape Gas

HELLO, A FEW MONTHS AGO I PURCHASED A USED 2011 FORD ESCAPE FLEX FUEL FROM INFINITY/VOLKSWAGEN OF FAIRFIELD, CA 94533. DURING THE TIME MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT, I HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME MAJOR TROUBLES WITH THE VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING IN THE CITY OR ON THE HIGHWAY AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLES GAS PEDAL ALL OF A SUDDEN LOSES PRESSURE AND I HAVE NO MORE GAS. PROMPTLY AFTER THAT , THE CAR BEGINS TO SHAKE AND EVENTUALLY I HAVE TO PULL OVER FOR SAFETY REASONS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 10 TIMES NOW. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES ALREADY AND EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT'S GOING ON. THEY JUST BRUSHED IT OFF AND SAID " COME BACK WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON." I WAS VERY MAD AND FRUSTRATED BUT I LET IT BE. OVER THE FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN THIS TIME I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER BECAUSE I WAS IN THE FAST LANE. IT WAS SO FAST THAT I COLLIDED WITH THE SIDE OF THE SHOULDER TO RIGHT OF THE FAST LANE AND HIT A DIRT PATCH. THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE. THANK GOD NOBODY WAS HURT. IM SAYING THAT MY WIFE IS THE DAILY DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE AND TO THINK THAT SHE IS PREGNANT AND HAS MY 2 YEAR OLD SON IF SHE WAS DRIVING IT THINGS WOULD BE A LOT WORSE FOR THE DEALERSHIP. I'M SICK AND TIRED OF BEING TREATED LIKE THIS. I'M A MARINE CORPS VETERAN AND TO BE TREATED LIKE [XXX] IN THE DEALERSHIP TELL ME TO "LEAVE AND HAVE GOOD DAY" IS TERRIBLE. THIS IS THE THIRD VEHICLE THAT I HAVE PURCHASED FROM THEM AND BY NO MEANS WILL THERE BE ANY MORE BUSINESS WITH THEM AFTER THIS. NOT CARING ABOUT THE SAFETY OF CUSTOMERS IS WRONG. I DO NOT WANT THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE. I REPEAT I DO NOT WANT THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE. I NEED SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS PLEASE. IF NOT I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO WRITE MY CONGRESSMAN ABOUT THIS SITUATION, THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND A LAWYER. I HOPE THAT WE CAN HANDLE THIS IN A CIVIL MANNER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10882808

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT WAS WALKING TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO PUT LUGGAGE IN THE TRUNK AND NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS ROLLING TOWARDS HER. THE CONTACT DOVE TO THE GROUND ON THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO AVOID BEING HIT. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK AND STRUCK THE POLE TO THE BUILDING. THERE WERE NO OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE OWNER RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER KNEE AND BACK WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED OR TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI 10823500

VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 4 DAYS IN DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES UNEXPECTEDLY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. A 2014 RECALL RELATED TO THROTTLE BODY IS SUSPICIOUS. RECALL WAS ADDRESSED UNDER CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 13N03.

NHTSA ODI 10810615

DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET ROAD AT NIGHT 55 MPH A DEER JUMPED FROM SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CROSS HIT THE DEER HAD TO PULL OVER CAR STARTED SMOKING RADIATOR FLUID EVERYWHERE THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I WAS HURT AND I HAD 4 PASSENGER, ALL WERE WEARING SEATBELTS INCLUDING MYSELF. I DIDN'T FILE A POLICE REPORT AS I FIGURED IT WAS A DEER WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO ARREST THE DEER. I COULD NOT AFFORD THE REPAIRS OR PAYMENTS FOR THE VEHICLE ANYMORE SO I VOLUNTARY GAVE BACK MY VEHICLE TO THE COMPANY.

NHTSA ODI 10795034

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT BECAME DISTRACTED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR QUARTER PANEL OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,400.

NHTSA ODI 10786957

I INVESTIGATED A TRAFFIC COLLISION INVOLVING A 2011 FORD ESCAPE THAT SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE DURING THE EVENT. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING THE COLLISION AFTER THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE FRONT BUMPER AREA TO INCLUDE THE BUCKLING OF THE HOOD AREA. I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE VEHICLE DAMAGE I CAN E-MAIL SHOWING THE VEHICLE AND DAMAGE SUSTAINED. INJURIES WERE INCURRED FROM PARTIES IN BOTH VEHICLES (2 CAR COLLISION). PLEASE CONTACT ME AT THE MADERA POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THIS INCIDENT AND MY CONCERN FOR THE AIRBAGS FAILING TO DEPLOY...UPDATED 10/15/15 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI 10746877

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A MILD CONCUSSION AND BRUISES TO THE BODY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 7/1/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE LIGHTS FLASHED, IGNITION SYSTEM STALLED, BRAKES FAILED, AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP. UPDATED 9/15/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10714617

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT FAILED TO INFLATE AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 10713043

WHILE SLOWING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN A TURNING LANE BEHIND TWO OTHER VEHICLES, THE SUBJECT VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION SLIPPED FROM GEAR AND DISENGAGED THE ENGINE. WHEN THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION REENGAGED THE ENGINES REMAINING TORQUE NOT YET DISPLACED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD CAUSING A LOSE OF CONTROL AND THE BRAKES TO LOCK UP FROM ATTEMPTING THE BRAKING ACTION ALREADY TAKING PLACE. THE SUBJECT VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPT. TO HAVE ITS TRANSMISSION THAT PREVIOUSLY AND COMPLETELY BURNT ITS CLUTCHES OUT AT ONLY 14,775 MILES DRIVEN. THE SYMPTOMS OF THE TRANSMISSION BURNING THE CLUTCHES OUT WAS PRESENTING ITSELF IN AN INCREASING MANNER FROM AROUND 5,000 MILES. THE NEWLY REBUILT TRANSMISSION FAILED AT ONLY 21,150 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE TOTAL LOSS INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10704863

I JUST GOT OFF THE FREEWAY ON RAMP AND SLOWED FOR TRAFFIC. TRAFFIC JUST STARTED TO GO SO, I JUST TOOK MY FOOT OF THE BRAKE AND SLOWLY PROCEEDED TO MOVE, WHEN OUT OF NOWHERE I WAS THROWN FORWARD AND OUT OF MY SEAT. THE VIOLENT IMPACT PUSHED MY VEHICLE INTO A TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME, THAT IMPACT CAUSED ME TO FLY BACKWARDS AND MY DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF AND MY SEAT BROKE CAUSING INJURY. THE SEAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BROKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10668522

MY FIANCE WAS DRIVING MY ESCAPE AND HAD AN ACCIDENT SHE REARENDED A TRUCK AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF AND THE MOTOR WAS PUSHED ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE FIREWALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10663254

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT A FIRE HAD ERUPTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI 10662378

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A GARAGE WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ACCELERATION FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000...UPDATED 09-15-14 *BF UPDATED 1/15/15 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10625920

2011 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAG AND SEAT FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE WAS REAR ENDED, HER HEAD FLEW FORWARD AND HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH HER MOUTH, THEN FLEW BACKWARD, WHERE THE BACK OF THE SEAT COLLAPSED, WHICH ALLOWED HER TO FLY BACK AND LAND AT A PARTIALLY RECLINED POSITION. FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES, SHE LAID IN THE VEHICLE, SUFFERING FROM MUSCLE SPASMS, TRYING TO DETERMINE IF SHE COULD STAND UP. THE CONSUMER WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CONCUSSION AND WHIPLASH.

NHTSA ODI 10564109

2011 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BRAKE PEDAL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE WAS UNDERSIZED. WHILE DRIVING, HE FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND INSTEAD HIS FOOT HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONSUMER HIT THE BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND ANOTHER OCCASION, HE WAS FORCED TO DRIVE THROUGH A TRAFFIC CONTROLLING ARM AT A LOCAL GUARD HOUSE, BREAKING THE EXTENDED BARRIER ARM.*JB UPDATED 11/26/14

NHTSA ODI 10561997

I WAS T-BONED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. THE DAMAGE RESULTED IN $15,500 + RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS. I WENT TO THE ER SUFFERING FROM HEAD TRAUMA. I SUSTAINED A SIGNIFICANT CONCUSSION, WAS OUT OF WORK FOR 1 WEEK. MY AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10544626

DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH, WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED TO YELLOW. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, BUT INSTEAD OF STOPPING, THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I CALLED THE POLICE AND A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. ... UPDATED 04/11/13 *BF

NHTSA ODI 10508003

CLOSING REAR LIFT GATE AFTER THE CAR REMAINED STATIONARY OVERNIGHT, THE WINDOW SHATTERED ONTO THE GROUND AND INTO THE TRUNK. LOW TEMPERATURE FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE WAS 19 DEG F. SUBSEQUENT CLEAN-UP EFFORTS REVEALED SCRATCHES TO CAR BODY AND RESULTED IN PERSONAL INJURY (LACERATIONS). FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR COST BASED ON VEHICLE MILEAGE, DESPITE EXPLICIT REFERENCE TO PE 11-016 AND TO FORD TECHNICAL SERVICES BULLETIN 10-22-10. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10497896

AFTER UNLOADING ITEMS FROM REAR CARGO AREA, TAILGATE WAS CLOSED, AND THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW EXPLODED IN MY FACE SPONTANEOUSLY. IT SEEMED AS IF THE RECIPROCATING ARMS PERHAPS DID NOT COLLAPSE COMPLETELY AND WENT THROUGH THE WINDOW. AN INDIVIDUAL WHO ASSISTED IN CLEANING UP THE DEBRIS WAS CUT BY THE GLASS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10491692

2011 FORD ESCAPE ENGINE STALLS AT RANDOM TIMES: I BOUGHT THE CAR AS A FORD CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2012. IN NOVEMBER THE STALLING ISSUE STARTED. IT'S HAPPENED TO ME THREE TIMES NOW. THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF AND GOES INTO SOME TYPE OF IDLE MODE AND A LITTLE ORANGE WRENCH APPEARS ON THE DASH. TWO TIMES ON THE INTERSTATE AND AGAIN ONE MORNING COMING INTO WORK. WHEN IT STALLED ON THE FREEWAY I WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH AND HAD TO PULL OFF INTO THE GRASS -- HIT SOMETHING AND BLEW A FRONT TIRE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. AFTER CHANGING THE FRONT TIRE IT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP BUT ONLY MADE IT 45 MINUTES BEFORE STALLING AGAIN (THIS TIME AT 45 MPH AND ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD). HAD SAME STALLING ISSUE ON THE WAY TO WORK BUT AT A LOWER SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10487353

I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE NEXT TO THE BUILDING WHERE I WORK AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND HIT THE BRICK WALL, BROKE A WINDOW AND DENTED THE BUILDING AC UNIT. DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE HOOD, BUMPER AND GRILLE. COST TO REPAIR $4282.75. *TR SEPTEMBER 25,2012 I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED BECAUSE IT CONTINUES TO SURG FORWARD ON A DAILY BASIS. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 10479463

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON CLOSING THE REAR HATCH DOOR, THE GLASS SHATTERED AND CUT THE CONTACT'S FINGER. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD CALL THE CONTACT BACK AT A LATER DATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,500.

NHTSA ODI 10438723

VEHICLE REAR ENDED WHILE IN COMMUTE TRAFFIC AND PUSHED FORWARD INTO 2 ADDITIONAL VEHICLES. FRONT RADIATOR PUSHED IN, FRONT FENDERS BOWED OUT AT A PILLARS. PAINT TRANSFER FROM OTHER VEHICLES SHOWS ON BOTH FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS. VEHICLE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10435039

REAR END COLLISION CAUSED BOTH FRONT SEATS BUCKLE BACK COMPLETELY FLAT . IS THAT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN?

NHTSA ODI 10428299

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY SURGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHILE IDLING WITHOUT A FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARD AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. I HAVE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. TWICE THEY SAID THE HAVE RESET THE COMPUTER THROTTLE BUT STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. UPDATED 11/10/2011 *LN *TR

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