Home · 2011 Ford Escape Phev · Complaints

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

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (1,312)Crash / fire / injury (54)Steering (407)Fuel system (284)Transmission & drivetrain (268)Engine (248)Speed control (245)Electrical system (115)Visibility & wipers (45)Body & structure (42)Suspension (31)Airbags (26)

284 of 1,312 complaints match · Fuel system · clear filters · page 1 of 12

Jun 17, 2025Fuel system

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the fuel tank was leaking and there was an abnormally strong fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed the fuel leak. The mechanic applied epoxy to the leak, but the failure recurred. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

NHTSA ODI 11667381

Apr 30, 2025Fuel system

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a crack in the fuel tank which caused the fuel leak. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 220,000.

NHTSA ODI 11657740

Feb 10, 2025Fuel system

The fuel pump was replaced and a new one was installed and now the engine is misfiring really hard and when the vehicle is placed in drive or reverse the engine tries to stall. The mechanic is saying that I will have to purchase a fuel rail pressure sensor that controls the fuel to each fuel injector. If this item or the whole fuel system is on a Recall List. Then I shouldn't have to pay anything to have it repaired and replaced by the Dealership. I do need to be notified about this issue immediately. This is a 2011 Ford Escape XLT AWD 4dr SUV with 3.0 V6 Flex Fuel system.

NHTSA ODI 11641697

Jan 11, 2025Fuel system

Leaking gas from gas tank where the fuel delivery pipe enters the tank

NHTSA ODI 11635414

Dec 20, 2024Fuel system

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle, the contact observed gasoline leaking underneath the fuel tank. The contact became aware of a crack in the gasoline tank seal. The contact stated that there was a constant odor of gasoline on the interior of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 240,000.

NHTSA ODI 11631781

Aug 25, 2022Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

Back in June, I took my vehicle to have it checked out. When I accelerate, the SUV would feel like it was dragging something under the tires and riding very rough and bumpy, actually the vehicle was shaking while driving, then it would stop when I slow down. Even when I turn off the engine for a few hours and then drive it, its fine. No warning lights on dashboard. Fred Beans replaced spark plugs, changed filters, cleaned throttle body, oil change. Now it 's doing the same thing. If I am idle in park with AC on for a few minutes, it does it. Sometimes after I fill it with fuel, it does it. As far as I am know, they never checked the fuel pump. SUV shakes for about 2 minutes then stops. It feels as though I am getting a flat in all tires.

NHTSA ODI 11481211

Feb 23, 2022Fuel system

I TRIED TO GET FUEL LATE AT NIGHT IN WINTER WARNING AFTER WORK AND UPON DOING SO, THE NOZZLE AT THE GAS STATION WOULD NOT FIT PROPERLY TO FUEL THE TANK. GAS BEGAN TO LEAK OUT AS I WAS FUELING THE VEHICLE, SQUIRTING UP ONTO MY BODY AND CLOTHING. I DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE NOZZLE DID NOT FIT, HOWEVER I NEEDED DESPERATELY TO GET GAS SO THAT I COULD RETURN HOME IN A MOUNTAINOUS AREA WHERE I LIVE. I TRIED FILLING THE GAS TANK SLOWLY TO NO AVAIL. THEN I PROCEEDED TO ANOTHER GAS STATION AS THERE ARE NOT MANY AROUND, AND AGAIN NOZZLE WOULD NOT ENTER THE TANK. THIS TIME I COULDN'T EVEN TURN ON THE PUMP. AFTER INSPECTING THE SITUATION, I COULD SEE THAT THE FUEL TANK AREA LOOKED AS THOUGH THE HOLE FOR THE TANK NO LONGER ACCEPTED NOZZLES, THE FUEL FILLER AREA SEEMED TO HAVE SLIPPED AND I NOW I AM UNABLE TO GET GAS AT ALL. THERE WAS NO WARNING- THIS JUST HAPPENED SUDDENLY, PUTTING ME IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION, WITH GASOLINE ON MY CLOTHING, FREEZING TEMPERATURES AND NEARLY STRANDED. LUCKILY I HAD ENOUGH GAS TO GET HOME, HOWEVER I CAN NOT FUEL MY TANK AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DIRE STRAIGHTS EMERGENCY.

NHTSA ODI 11453639

Apr 1, 2021SteeringFuel system

MY POWER STEERING ASSIST LIGHT IS ON AND I CAN NOT STEER MY VEHICLE. I GOT IN TO TAKE MY KIDS OUT AND I COULD NOT STEER. ITS TOO UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AND I READ THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH FORD UNDER STEERING ISSUE COMPLAINTS. IF MY VEHICLE IS COVERED TO BE REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE NEXT STEP. ITS AROUND $1000 TO FIX AND I CAN NOT AFFORD THIS.

NHTSA ODI 11405899

Mar 26, 2021SteeringFuel system

THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED ON MY 2011 FORD ESCAPE. STATIONARY WHEN HAPPENED. SO, FRUSTRATED THAT I CANT STEER IT AND HAVE TWO KIDS I NEED TO TOTE AROUND BUT ITS VERY UNSAFE AND I CANT DRIVE IT WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR FOR SAFETY CONCERNS. ALSO MY FUEL INTAKE FAILED AND A WARNING LIGHT IS ON FOR IT. I READ THAT BOTH OF THESE EXACT ISSUES HAVE BEEN RECALLED ON THIS MODEL. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ODI 11405046

Mar 21, 2021Fuel system

I HAVE CALLED FORD MANY TIMES, AS I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ALL THE TIME, IT SHOWS THAT MY CAR HAS AN EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK CODE P0457. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME THAT SHOWS THE SAME PROBLEM EVEN AFTER 'FIXING'. FORD ESCAPE HAD THIS RECALL IN 2016 BUT FOR SOME REASON I WAS NOT SENT A NOTICE.

NHTSA ODI 11404099

Dec 3, 2020Fuel system

RECEIVED NOTICE OF RECALL IN DEC 2017, CALLED KENDAL FORD IN ANCHORAGE FOR SCHEDULING OF REPAIR. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART NEEDED AND WOULD CALL WHEN IT CAME IN. OCTOBER 2018, CALLED KENDALL AFTER RECEIVING SECOND NOTICE. THE SERVICE DEPT. SAID THEY'D CALL WHEN IT CAME IN. KENDALL FORD SERVICE DEPT. 866-957-4040. THIRD NOTICE RCVD 7/12/2019. CALLED AGAIN AND, TERESA, STATED THEY'D CALL WHEN THE PART CAME IN. THREE YEARS TO GET A PART IS OUTRAGEOUS. THE FORD DEALER HAS DEMONSTRATED BEYOND ANY DOUBT THAT THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT RECALLS, UNABLE TO BE TRUTHFUL, AND HAVE NO CONCERN ABOUT ANYTHING BUT MONEY.

NHTSA ODI 11377736

Sep 4, 2020Fuel system

MY CAR ALWAYS SHOWS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE READINGS- SHOWS THAT THERE IS A LEAK, THEY HAVE CHANGED 4 TIMES THE PURGE VALVE. THE LIGHT GOES OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS AND THEN COME BACK AGAIN. IT SHOWS THE SAME PROBLEM ALL THE TIME. THE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING OR PARK.

NHTSA ODI 11353101

Jul 9, 2020Fuel system

THE GAS TANK IS FAULTY. SUDDENLY, IT WILL NOT HOLD GAS. GAS BEGAN TO POUR OUT AFTER I HAD FILLED THE TANK JUST A FEW MINUTES BEFOREHAND. I NOTICED THE GAS POURING OUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED IN OUR GARAGE. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT OR EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE CAR TO CAUSE THIS ISSUE. I READ THAT SOME 2011 FORD ESCAPES WERE RECALLED FOR THIS VERY ISSUE, BUT MY VIN DOES NOT APPEAR IN THE DATABASE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE ADVISED THAT I FILL OUT THIS FORM.

NHTSA ODI 11338472

Jun 16, 2020Electrical systemSpeed controlFuel system

IT'S STALLING IN MOTION OR SUDDENLY SURGING FORWARD WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, POSING A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS, OTHER MOTORISTS AND PEDESTRIANS. INTERMITTENT VEHICLE STALLS AND SURGES AS THEY ENTER TRAFFIC FROM A STOPPED POSITION OR WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11329098

Oct 30, 2019Fuel system

THIS VEHICLE HAD A RECALL REGARDING THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE REPAIRED IN MAY 2019 (BY CHAPMAN FORD IN HORSHAM, PA), JUST BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN JUNE. IN LATE AUGUST 2019, THE CAR WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY STARTING. I BROUGHT IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP (FULLERTON FORD IN SOMERVILLE, NJ). THEY INSISTED CHAPMAN FORD DID A POOR JOB WITH THE RECALL REPAIR (SPECIFICALLY CONNECTING THE FUEL PUMP) AND FORD CORPORATE AUTHORIZED FULLERTON TO FIX CHAPMAN'S POOR WORK (FREE OF CHARGE FOR ME). A FEW DAYS AGO, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START EVEN WHEN JUMP STARTED. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIPS (MALOUF FORD IN NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ AND FULLERTON FORD) SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE AN OPENING TO WORK ON THE CAR FOR 3 WEEKS. I WANTED TO TAKE THIS VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP BUT I CAN'T AFFORD TO BE OUT OF A VEHICLE FOR 3 WEEKS SO I TOOK THE CAR TO A PRIVATE SHOP (QUALITY AUTO CENTER IN FRANKLIN PARK, NJ) . THE PRIVATE SHOP DIAGNOSTICALLY PROVED THE FUEL PUMP NO LONGER WORKS. THE PRIVATE SHOP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND THE VEHICLE NOW WORKS AGAIN. THIS IS INDEED AN OLDER VEHICLE, BUT I THINK THE TIMING IS ESPECIALLY SUSPICIOUS THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILS SHORTLY AFTER IT HAS BEEN HANDLED MULTIPLE TIMES FOR RECALL REPAIR. FURTHERMORE, CHAPMAN FORD WAS DEEMED BY FORD CORPORATE TO DO A SUBPAR RECALL REPAIR. I CALLED FULLERTON FORD AND FORD CORPORATE ABOUT POTENTIAL LIABILITY BUT THEY DIDN'T SEEM INTERESTED TO ENTERTAIN BECAUSE I WASN'T ABLE TO BRING MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION.

NHTSA ODI 11277126

Oct 17, 2019BrakesFuel system

WHEN TRUCK HAS A FULL OR EVEN HALF TANK , ALWAYS SMELL A LOUD GAS SMELL COMING FROM TRUCK. GAS SMELL SO LOUD CAN NOT HAVE TRUCK PARKED IN GARAGE DUE TO FUMES. ALSO WITH BRAKES, WHEN FORCED TO STOP IMMEDIATELY THE BRAKES MAKE A WEIRD SOUND AND WONT LOCK PROPERLY.

NHTSA ODI 11269178

Aug 26, 2019Fuel system

I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT LIGHTS UP ALL THE TIME ON THE CAR. IT WILL ALSO SAY "CHECK FUEL FILL INLET" WHEN I PUMP GAS. THE CODE READS P0455 WHICH MEANS THE ENGINE COMPUTER RECOGNIZES A LARGE LEAK IN THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM (EVAP). THE VEHICLE'S EVAP SYSTEM IS SEALED, IT'S MAIN PURPOSE IS TO PREVENT GASOLINE VAPORS IN THE FUEL TANK FROM ESCAPING INTO THE ATMOSPHERE. I AM NOT SURE IF ONE OF THE RECALLS PERTAINS TO THIS, BUT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR ME. SO MUCH SO, THAT I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR IN FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILY.

NHTSA ODI 11246459

May 10, 2019Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER CALLED THE CONTACT ABOUT THE RECALL BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT

NHTSA ODI 11206855

Dec 3, 2018Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE DEALER (PREMIER FORD OF BAY RIDGE, 152 58TH ST, BROOKLYN, NY 11220, (347) 578-7900) INDICATED THAT THEY ORDERED THE PART FOR THE REPAIR MONTHS AGO; HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY AVAILABLE CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11155642

Nov 4, 2018Fuel system

RECALL #16S41 PERFORMED ON 12/14/2017. SINCE THAT TIME IT HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER 8+ TIMES FOR STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. CURRENTLY GASOLINE ODOR IS INSIDE OF THE CAR SO STRONG WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11145209

Oct 30, 2018Fuel system

EXPERIENCE SURGING AND STUMBLING UNDER THROTTLE UP

NHTSA ODI 11144209

Sep 25, 2018Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (WORLD FORD PENSACOLA, 6397 PENSACOLA BOULEVARD, PENSACOLA, FL 32505) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11131547

Sep 18, 2018Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). BEATRICE FORD LINCOLN (4115 NORTH 6TH STREET, BEATRICE, NEBRASKA 68310, (402) 223-3547) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11130229

Sep 13, 2018Fuel system

RECALL NOTICE ISSUED IN NOVEMBER 2017 AND PERSISTENT CALLS TO DEALER (EVERY MONTH) HAVE NOT PRODUCED A REASONABLE ESTIMATE OF WHEN THE PARTS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THIS RECALL. THE ANSWER PROVIDED BY DEALER EVERY MONTH FOR THE LAST 11 MONTHS THE CUSTOMER HAS CALLED HAS BEEN "THE PARTS ARE BACKORDERED" AND NO ESTIMATE OF WHEN IT WILL BE COMPLETE IS PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI 11129270

Aug 3, 2018Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (PHIL LONG FORD OF MOTOR CITY, 1212 MOTOR CITY DR, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80905, (719) 694-3487) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TT *JS

NHTSA ODI 11115585

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Working with the data? Download all 1,312 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 10, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Ford Escape Phev verdict →