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2011 Ford Escape: check engine light

121 of the 1,319 complaints about the 2011 Ford Escape describe check engine light.

owner complaints
121
of this car's complaints
9%
typical repair cost reported
$400
typical mileage
50,000
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 11 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Check engine light by model year

What owners say

Filed May 20, 2026 · Steering · CT

The steering shaft torque sensor unexpectedly malfunctioned while driving resulting in a loss of steering. There was no indication that this would happen, no check engine light was on, and no symptoms prior to the incident. The vehicle is undrivable due to a lack of steering and was diagnosed by an independent garage. The steering shaft torque sensor is recalled for other 2010 Ford Escapes, but not this one.

Filed Mar 13, 2026 · Steering · 199,003 miles · TX

The contact had performed service on the 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the owner had experienced unintended loss of power steering functionality, making the steering wheel difficult to turn in either direction. The failure was intermittent. During the failure, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, while the vehicle was idling, the steering wheel was turning from right to left independently. While servicing the vehicle, the DTC: B2278 was displayed. The contact was informed that the steering torque sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failures. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V284000 (STEERING). The failure mileage was 199,003.

Filed Jul 1, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · 134,499 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and jerked, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was diagnosed by Roadside Assistance as a failure with the alternator. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed as it was confirmed that the alternator had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The dealer was not contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,499.

Filed May 10, 2024 · Engine, Steering · 14,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering failed to work as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with EGR valve failure. The contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contacted stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The dealer confirmed that the vehicle was not included the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Aug 20, 2023 · Steering · KS

The torque sensor failed while turning left at a stoplight and the power steering didn't work. It was extremely difficult to keep the steering wheel rotated in order to complete the turn. I came very close to hitting the car on the opposite direction at the stoplight and to hitting the curb. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer service center. The Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC)was B2278. To my knowledge the manufacturer has not inspected the torque sensor. The dealer did say the sensor had a yellow paint or chalk line it and when they received the replacement sensor, the literature called for the entire steering column assembly to be replaced if the yellow paint line was present on the failed sensor. There were no warning lights, checking engine lights, or any other symptoms of the problem prior to the sensor failure. The failure just occurred without warning in the middle of a left hand turn.

Filed Apr 15, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · OH

Discovered my car has electric power steering not seeing a reservoir did some research and seen that there were a lot of 2011 Ford Escapes with safety recalls three being the main problems I've had with my car since I began financing it almost 4 years ago my last payment is in 2 weeks. Went to leave a driveway and within a few seconds my steering wheel locked up and I thought it was strange that's when I found out I have electric power steering and that there has been recalls turned the car off turn to back on and it was just fine. Found out that is a common thing although it may not be considered a safety recall just yet but I would believe it is a major problem because anytime in my life if I was to believe my power steering was failing me I would still have control over the wheel but this thing locks up as if I ain't going nowhere. I seen that there has been recalls for fuel systems front wheel bearings and electric power steering. My engine light has been on for a very long time and people say it's because of the O2 sensor causing a misfire to appear random. My front wheels kind of knock making me think it could be between the rack axle and bearing. Other than that my radio face button stopped working one day as if they were possessed until they completely shut off and I have no access to it besides the steering wheel components. Rear wiper stuck in the up position one day was causing a tick I could hear with no power and no key in the ignition that caused my battery to die several times 2 years in a row. Realized unplugging my rear wiper made it quit but I can't use my front washer fluid without it being unplugged. And my AC Open Air Max AC and heating cooling climate control buttons work but the blower only works on high making me think yet another electrical issue being the blower speed regulator is bad. I would say these are safety issues package together. This website says I have 0unrepaired recalls. Might try fix it with a torque sensor/calling dealership.

Filed Jun 24, 2022 · Engine, Steering · AK · crash

got rear ended/t-boned in january 2022 at low rate of speed, started having issues for the first time since 2011, check engine light comes on periodically since the accident, power steering has gone in and out periodically since the accident, engine seems to stumble periodically since March 2022, AC has never worked since 2011, recently (june 3rd 2022) the tire pressure sensor light has come on despite air pressure being adequate in all 4 tires, took car to a collision specialist and they repaired cosmetic damages but cleared 3 codes and did not repair/resolve any of the actual issues affecting drivability and safety because they could not attribute it to the mechanism of accident, took the print out of codes in to my normal mechanic when I got the tires and oil changed June 3rd 2022 and he said if there were no active codes I would have to take it to the dealership, yesterday June 24th 2022 while waiting for a light to change the car pedals suddenly stopped working, car stayed idling at a stop while still in drive, would not work even when shifted into park, drive, or reverse, air still blowed, music still playing, a horrid smell started to fill the car, turned everything completely off and turned hazards on and waited for 2 minutes then turned the car back, car resumed working with tire pressure light still on and smell still coming out of engine. Car now smells constantly of putrid burning plastic/carpet and stumbles frequently, had the car stumbled while at a high rate of speed during rush hour, both mine, my infant son, and the other drivers lives' could've been devastated or lost. These are the codes they reset at time of incident/repair 1) ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM: C1963-20 - STABILITY CONTROL INHIBIT WARNING 2) ACCESORY PROTOCOL INTERFACE MODULE: U3000-04 -CONTROL MODULE - SYSTEM INTERNAL FAILURES 3) POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE: B2278-2F - STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR MALFUNCTION

Filed Jun 15, 2021 · Steering · 208,587 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the electric power steering failed to operate as designed. The steering wheel started shaking and became difficult to turn. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed as a torque sensor and power steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The manufacturer then referred the contact to the federal safety agency to file a complaint. The contact was relating the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The failure mileage was 208,587.

Filed May 6, 2021 · Steering · 122,000 miles · TN

Driving down the road the vehicle power steering completely cut off. Upon taking to the shop they stated it was a check engine code that referred to a recall

Filed Oct 13, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 128,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford escape. The contact stated that while traveling up hill at various speeds, the vehicle shut-off with the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the catalytic converter, the camshaft sensor, and oil delivery sensor were replaced on separate occasions. The contact attempted to reach the manufacturer but was unable to reach a representative. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

Filed Sep 4, 2020 · Fuel system · 60,000 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Jan 28, 2020 · 70,000 miles · IN

Carrier bearing drive shaft assembly causing severe vibration upon exceleration and and letting off the gas peddle also ignition issue put key in turn on cranking several times before starting unless key is turned back my escape has 70,000 miles on it I should not be having these issues.my engine light is on and vehicle vibration it has new tires, I replaced tie rods, bearings, in front all new brakes this vehicle has been a big disappointment I have put a lot of money into it and only 70,000 miles for a 2011.please help me out with this situation this is the first ford I have ever owned I am not a happy customer.

Questions about the 2011 Ford Escape check engine light

Is check engine light a common problem on the 2011 Ford Escape?

121 of 1,319 owner complaints about the 2011 Ford Escape (9%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2017.

How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the 2011 Ford Escape?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $400 (median of 15 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2011 Ford Escape?

There are 0 recalls and 11 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2011 Ford Escape

Loss of power 185Power steering loss 177Stalling 140Jerking 66Steering lock-up 45Engine failure 39Won't shift 23Fuel smell 22Hesitation 22Sudden acceleration 21No deployment 16Won't start 16Fuel leak 15Grinding brakes 13Ball joint 11Slipping 11ABS 10Adaptive cruise 10Door locks 9Fire or smoke 9Fuel pump 9Misfire 9Warning lights 9Knocking 8Wipers 8Brake failure 6Harsh shifting 6Shudder 6Transmission failure 6Airbag light 5Seat belt 5

All model years of the Ford Escape

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