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)
The worst 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Steering14
- Acceleration8
- Brakes5
- Transmission5
- Engine4
- Fuel system3
- Airbags1
- Body1
- Electrical1
- Visibility1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
the federal safety agency received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, the federal safety agency opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified the federal safety agency he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP22005
Loss of power steering while driving
On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to the federal safety agency describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (the federal safety agency 14V‑284, Ford 14S05). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering input. When the system detects this fault condition, it transitions the EPAS system to the fail-safe/manual steering mode.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the proper repair procedure. If no DTCs are present, dealers are to update the PSCM and instrument cluster module software. The updated PSCM software changes the torque sensor fault strategy so that the SNR condition does not result in a loss of power steering assist while driving.In addition, audible and visual warnings are provided for torque sensor faults.If DTCs indicating faults in the torque sensor, PSCM or Power Steering Motor (motor) are present in the initial recall inspection, the dealer performs the following repairs: 1) replaces the torque sensor for torque sensor faults (DTC B2278); or 2) replaces the steering column for faults related to the PSCM (DTC B1342) or motor (DTC B2277).Continued in attachment pages
DP15001
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the federal safety agency to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles. On October 2, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition DP12-006 to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition is hereby granted on certain model years. The NCCC letter cites two complaints of stall while driving in MY 2009 Ford Escape vehicles that were diagnosed as failed throttle bodies with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed. The petitioner indicates that the owners of both vehicles reported experiencing repeated incidents of stalling and engine surging. According to Ford, Escape non-hybrid vehicles are equipped with Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) assemblies beginning with MY 2009. Vehicles manufactured between June 22, 2009 and October 15, 2009 may contain contaminated printed circuit boards (PCB) with plating variations. Plating variations could lead to a lack of continuity in the throttle position sensor circuit where P2111 and/or other DTCs would be generated and stored. Ford and its electronic throttle body supplier, Delphi, modified the PCB manufacturing process and issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) 09-23-5. Vehicles produced after October 15, 2009 incorporated ETBs manufactured with a PCB process that resolved this condition. ODI's analysis identified a total of 123 unique reports indicating allegations of reduced motive power or vehicle stall. Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance associated with three limp home modes. In two limp modes, reduced engine performance may maintain vehicle speeds above 20mph while the third is a limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Allegations of stall appear to be related to the limited limp home mode. Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability. Allegations of vehicle surge appear to be related to limp home mode operation. Complaints alleging surge are most likely related to engine RPM fluctuations at low vehicle speeds or idle as the control system engages to prevent engine stall. In limited limp mode, rough-idle conditions may exist while the control system attempts to modulate engine RPMs once the vehicle reaches a reduced speed to maintain approximately 900 RPM. Separately, ODI received 59 complaints alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in model year (MY) 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles. Approximately 60 percent (36) of the incidents occurred at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more. Eighty percent of complaints (47) were received beginning March 2012 and 14 complaints reported that the throttle body was replaced or DTCs associated with limp home modes. Additionally, Ford issued TSB 10-21-6 addressing DTCs associated with idle speed drops and limited limp home mode. The petition is granted on certain model years.Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.See full copy of the closing resume for this defect petition for list of the VOQs associated with the defect petition analysis.
DP12006
Technical service bulletins for the 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid 4
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- DTCs P0A81 (battery pack cooling fan 1 control circuit) and/or P0A96 (battery pack cooling fan 2 control...
- Ford: no service action is recommended for this condition
- Ford: on various vehicles with my touch,after any apim programming, replacement or disconnect from front...
- Ford: due to a possible leak in the internal check valve, the red brake lamp illuminates with diagnostic...
What 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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 the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
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 mechanic who diagnosed that the torque sensor and the steering column assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
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 the federal safety agency. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.
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 failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was notified of the federal safety agency campaign 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was contacted and the contact was informed that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency for assistance. The failure mileage was 120,000.
When steering car making tight turns causes the steering wheel to lock up and makes it extremely difficult to turn.
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.
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 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.
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 an inspection and checked the computer codes. That report is attached. The report states that the fault codes indicated a problem with the torque/angle sensor and steering control module. This problem, should it occur while moving could cause an accident and possible death. Since my VIN number is not covered by the existing recalls for this type of problem, I would like the federal safety agency to investigate and add my VIN to the recall 14v284000 or 14s05.
Compare the 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid
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Questions about the 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid
Is the 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid reliable?
Owners have filed 37 complaints about the 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid, fewer than a typical Escape Hybrid model year.
What is the 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid year score?
The 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid scores 83 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Escape Hybrid: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid?
Steering, with 14 complaints, typically around 84,763 miles. Next is acceleration (8).
How many recalls does the 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the Ford Escape Hybrid have bad steering?
The Ford Escape Hybrid model years with the most steering complaints are 2008 (110 complaints), 2009 (70 complaints) and 2006 (24 complaints).
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