2011 Ford Escape: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Feb 27, 2026 · Steering · OK

Torque sensor. No warning. Has not been looked at by a mechanic. Was working fine when I parked it. Came back out and it was steering funny and making a grinding sound

Filed Apr 16, 2025 · Suspension · MI

While driving down road, vehicle suddenly pulled right and started shaking the steering wheel and started making grinding noises. The steering wheel was now off by several degrees in order to drive straight. Luckily this occurred at a low speed and not at highway speed. If this was at 70 miles per hour it probably would have resulted in accident. Pulled to side of road and noticed right wheel out of alignment. After getting vehicle home looked under vehicle and discovered the end of the subframe where lower A arm mounts has rusted thru and cracked. This had the potential to be a really bad accident. Hard to believe a 2011 Ford Escape with only 93000 miles has cracked subframe.

Filed Dec 16, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · OH

The power steering went out on us several times, but this last time, I was almost in a accident. Also, it has a rubbing/ grinding sound in the front with a shimmy and no matter what,it won't quit.

Filed Jun 26, 2023 · Steering · 200,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the steering column before the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Jan 18, 2022 · Steering · SC

The power steering in my 2011 Ford Escape is producing a grinding noise along with vibrations strong enough to make the steering wheel rock back and forth while in park. In driving the vehicle you have to actually fight the wheel to maintain your position in the lane. The car will be inspected by a certified service center by Thursday, 1/19 if not sooner. I will be able to provide more information once it is inspected. In having to fight with the steering you had to be aware of cars and objects nearby as it had a tendency to jerk the wheel off course. The car did not display and warning messages or symptoms prior to this current event.

Filed May 8, 2019 · Steering · 112,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford escape. While driving 10 MPH and making a left turn, a grinding noise was heard coming from the front driver's side of the vehicle and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.

Filed Apr 26, 2018 · Steering · 124,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford escape. While operating the vehicle, a grinding type noise was heard when turning the steering wheel. The contact stated that the steering wheel became more difficult to turn and would jerk and vibrate. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the steering column was faulty, but the exact failure was not identified. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The vehicle was previously diagnosed per the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v284000 (steering), but no failures were found at the time. The failure mileage was 124,000. *tt updated 9/19/18

Filed Jun 23, 2014 · Engine · 41,400 miles · IL

Ford - complete AC failure/ AC dryer failure when I turned on the AC for the first time this year it made a loud grinding noise then never cooled.took it in to the dealership to check for problem. Car has 41400 miles on it (little more than 5000 over the 36000) but still has 6 months on warranty. The dealer said there was no problem.(roselle ford)where purchased. Even though a loud grinding sound was present and no cold air.. He told her to bring it somewhere else.. She did, they vacuumed &charged. It worked for 2 weeks then stopped. She brought to another ford dealer and he said it would cost $2000 and had to replace the whole system.. She went to pick it up and he told her he replaced a resister on the blower switch... I know its not fixed.. We'll have to see.. But if ford really wants to be our car company, then they should stand behind their product. That's a big repair bill for only 41000 miles. Here is what I have learned so far and no service bulletin on this from ford. Dealer called and gave the following description of the problem ..."in the AC dryer there is a filter bag with "little blue balls" of desiccant. It seems that it is a very common problem that these filter bags burst and flood the entire AC system with the balls (aka "debris") which causes all the parts to fail and or clog. Many of the parts can't be effectively flushed so they have to be replaced." the cost to replace the entire AC system (all valves, tubes, hoses, evaporator, compressor, condenser, accumulator, dryer, etc.) came to $2,022.65. This dryer unit that is causing all the problems is a non-serviceable unit and is in no way affected by regular maintenance, and there is nothing that can be done to prevent a failure. To make matters even worse is that when they do replace the system... They use the same dryer as the one that failed. Unbelievable.

Filed Jun 25, 2013 · Transmission · 71,806 miles · MN

Purchased used in jan 2013, immediately had trouble shifting and wouldn't go in reverse. Rpms revved up like it couldn't shift to the next gear. Brought it back to the dealer, no codes but a tsb 12-6-12 and 11-9-9 covered both and the PCM was reprogrammed. It still shifted hard but I got used to it. It started getting really bad again in may 2013. No codes, no check engine light and I checked the system information and nothing was flagged. It would chug and then die while idling. At a stoplight on a 55 MPH highway, it stalled. Engine started up but as soon as it was put into drive it would make a loud grinding noise and stall. I didn't have any warning. I was at a stoplight at a very busy intersection and there was no where safe to push the truck to the side. I waited 30 terrified minutes for the tow truck hoping no one would slam into me. Towed it to the closest dealer where they had to write to the hotline to check since it was only 2 years old. First told it was a valve body or torque converter failure. Metal was found in the valve body and solenoid screens and the whole transmission needed to be replaced. And because it had 71,000 miles it wasn't covered under warranty.

Filed Jun 20, 2013 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 41,300 miles · IL

I was making a left turn from a road with a 45 MPH limit. I just initiated the turn when it felt like I lost all power & was barely coasting. I waited 'til the road was clear to turn, but now there were 2 cars bearing down on me sounding their horns & with squealing tires as they attempted to avoid hitting me. I barely made it out of the intersection. At what felt like one MPH, I drove onto the shoulder, turned off the car & gathered my wits as I was terrified. Turned the car back on & it was the same, but noticed a wrench on the display. Turned my car off & called my mechanic for a tow. While waiting, tried turning the car on again & it worked. Drove to the mechanic & he said it was a throttle body assembly problem, but no code had been set in the computer. He called schaumburg ford & they said unless a code was set, it was not covered by warranty. I would have to drive the car 'til it failed again & set the code--like driving a time bomb! The next day I went to hopkins ford where I bought the car 6/30/12 & they said the throttle body assembly failed the test, so it would be covered by warranty, but that it would be at least july before they could get the part because so many have failed & are on order. I would have to drive the car 'til then. Later that day they contacted me & said ford advised this would not be covered by warranty & the service person estimated the repair at over $500. With this many failed throttle body assemblies, this sounds like a recall item. Sure hope I don't get killed or kill somebody while I wait for the part.

Filed May 1, 2012 · Acceleration, Body · NY

Last year I purchased a 2011 ford escape and have been completely dissatisfied with my purchase. The selling dealer, tower ford in great neck, new york has done absolutely nothing to help me rectify my serious complaint and concerns with my vehicle. One of my biggest concerns is that the transmission slips, the accelerator pedal sticks, the brakes are very low, and a swishing liquid noise is heard in the fuel tank when stopping, the right side rear passenger door squeaks, and the center console is loose. I've brought my truck back to this dealer many times and all I receive is that they can not verify my complaint and concerns. I am concerned for my family and my safety. Any help would be appreciated.

Filed Jul 29, 2011 · Steering · 2,500 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford escape. The contact stated while driving the steering wheel was hard to maneuver and it was making a squeaky noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that in order to remedy the failure the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The remedy failed to repair the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 2,500 and current mileage was 5,000.