DecodedCars2011 Ford Escape
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2011 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD Xlt/Limited, 4dr SUV FWD Xlt, Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD, Hybrid 4dr SUV FWD
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Regular Gasoline, FFV
- MPG (best)
- 32 combined · 34 city / 30 hwy
- Length
- 174.8 in
- Curb weight
- 3,395–3,794 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 53% better than the average 2011 SUV - (20.9 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Many owner complaints795 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 110 for similar models — most often about the steering.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 24 similar 2011 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2011 Ford Escape is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 3.0L 6-cyl), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 175 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 103-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,547 lb (4dr SUV AWD Xlt/Limited).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 32 MPG combined (34 city / 30 highway), 53% better than the 2011 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,100 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 795 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.
What changed for 2011
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2010 Escape — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2010; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2010 Escape →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD Xlt/Limited | 174.8 in | 71.3 in | 68.1 in | 103.1 in | 61.4 / 60.2 in | 3,547 lb | 59/41 |
| 4dr SUV FWD Xlt | 174.8 in | 71.3 in | 68.1 in | 103.1 in | 61.4 / 60.2 in | 3,395 lb | 59/41 |
| Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD | 174.8 in | 71.3 in | 68.1 in | 103.1 in | 61.4 / 60.2 in | 3,794 lb | 57/43 |
| Hybrid 4dr SUV FWD | 174.8 in | 71.3 in | 68.1 in | 103.1 in | 61.4 / 60.2 in | 3,638 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escape Hybrid FWD Hybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 34 / 30 / 32 | +53% | $2,100 | 278 |
| Escape Hybrid 4WD Hybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4-Wheel Drive | 30 / 27 / 29 | +53% | $2,300 | 306 |
| Escape FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 28 / 25 | +20% | $2,700 | 355 |
| Escape FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 27 / 23 | +10% | $2,900 | 386 |
| Escape 4WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 22 | +16% | $3,050 | 404 |
| Escape FWD FFV FFV | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | 0% | $3,200 | 423 |
| Escape 4WD FFV FFV | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 23 / 20 | +6% | $3,350 | 444 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2011 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2011 Ford Escape.
Similar 2011 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Ford Escape (this car) | 32 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2011 Toyota RAV4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2011 Honda CR-V | 24 MPG | Not rated | 13 |
| 2011 Hyundai Tucson | 25 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2011 Subaru Forester | 23 MPG | Not rated | 16 |
| 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan | 22 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Oct 26, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V777000 · 329,265 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured February 26, 2009, to April 29, 2012, and 2010-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured February 25, 2009, to December 12, 2010. On vehicles with a 3.0L engine, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack, causing a fuel leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM flange with one that has a redesigned fuel supply port, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 13, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S41.
Steering › Electric Power Assist System · May 29, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V284000 · 740,878 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.
- Risk
- If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.
Not every 2011 Ford Escape is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2011 Ford Escape buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Steering — 397 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 129 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Engine — 70 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 86,986 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2011 Ford Escape. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Escape years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Escape | 40 | 180.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 4 |
| 2025 Escape | 40 | 180.7 in | Not rated | 10 | 31 |
| 2024 Escape | 39 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 10 | 88 |
| 2023 Escape | 40 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 13 | 138 |
| 2022 Escape | 41 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 21 | 386 |
| 2021 Escape | 41 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 21 | 498 |
| 2020 Escape | 41 | 180.7 in | Not rated | 25 | 1,908 |
| 2019 Escape | 26 | 178.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 597 |
| 2018 Escape | 26 | 178.7 in | Not rated | 4 | 1,822 |
| 2017 Escape | 26 | 178.7 in | Not rated | 4 | 2,702 |
| 2016 Escape | 26 | 178.7 in | Not rated | 4 | 1,170 |
| 2015 Escape | 26 | 178.7 in | Not rated | 9 | 1,131 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →