GarageIntel

2011 Ford Escape: problems, recalls and what it’s worth

2 recall campaigns to confirm with a dealer. A lot of owner complaints, 31% about steering.

Before you buy Ask for the VIN and check it, then get a pre-purchase inspection.

Looking at a 2011 Ford Escape for sale?

No VIN? Paste the ad for a fair-price check.

The full report adds this car’s market value and what to offer.

Known problems on the 2011 Ford Escape

No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.

2011 Ford Escape recalls

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2011 Ford Escape. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.

1 aftermarket-part notice (parts sold for this model, not the car)
  • Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. 15E045000

2011 Ford Escape safety investigations and free repairs

No open safety investigations.

Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):

A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.

Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.

2011 Ford Escape safety and fuel

3 of 5 starsNHTSA overall crash rating
20–25 mpgEPA combined, depending on engine and drive
$2,600–$3,250 a yearEPA fuel-cost estimate (15,000 miles a year)

From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.

What owners complain about

1,316 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.

Steering31%
Fuel system22%
Transmission & drivetrain20%
Engine & cooling20%
Throttle & speed control19%

Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.

What a 2011 Ford Escape is worth

Rough trade-in values — roughly what a dealer would pay — by mileage, from published trade-in guides. Private sales and dealer prices run higher. For the exact car, add its VIN.

MileageTrade-in (rough)
80,000 mi$3,250
160,000 mi$3,075
$0$1k$2k$3k$4k80k mi160k mi80,000 miles: $3,250160,000 miles: $3,075$3,250$3,075
Trade-in value by mileage

From new to now

What each Ford Escape model year trades in for today at typical mileage.

$0$5k$10k$15kNew2 yr4 yr6 yr8 yr10 yr12 yr14 yrAge (years old)2014 model, 12 yr old, ~144,000 mi: about $2,9232015 model, 11 yr old, ~132,000 mi: about $4,0532018 model, 8 yr old, ~96,000 mi: about $6,8202020 model, 6 yr old, ~72,000 mi: about $11,0782021 model, 5 yr old, ~60,000 mi: about $11,958
This 2011Other model years today

Typical mileage = 12,000 miles a year; values between two published mileages are estimated in a straight line.

Other Ford Escape years

2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

Looking at a 2011 Ford Escape for sale?

No VIN? Paste the ad for a fair-price check.

The full report adds this car’s market value and what to offer.