FaultScore

2011 Ford Escape window and wiper problems

47 of the 1,878 complaints about the 2011 Ford Escape are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 43,900 miles.

B

47

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

5

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Visibility/Wiper 24 51.1%
Visibility 12 25.5%
Glass, Side/Rear 7 14.9%
Sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2 4.3%
Windshield 1 2.1%
Motor 1 2.1%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Ford Escape year

2001 37 6.3%
2002 36 6.1%
2004 17 2.9%
2005 40 6.8%
2006 22 3.7%
2007 11 1.9%
2008 32 5.4%
2009 13 2.2%
2010 94 15.9%
2011 47 8.0%
2012 20 3.4%
2013 40 6.8%
2014 27 4.6%
2015 20 3.4%
2016 21 3.6%
2017 14 2.4%
2018 13 2.2%
2020 65 11.0%
2021 22 3.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 129,000 miles Dallas, TX

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof inadvertently exploded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

NHTSA complaint #11537216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles Kentwood, MI

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rear windshield wiper motor failed to deactivate, causing the battery to drain. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear windshield wiper motor needed to be replaced; however, the dealer confirmed that the warranty had expired. The contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the rear windshield wiper motor; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA complaint #11521011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clinton, MD

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Escape was parked in driveway when I opened hatchback/lift to retrieve items. Suddenly the windshield shattered. No one was inside the vehicle at the time. There has been no reproduction/confirmation by a dealer. As new owner of the vehicle purchased from dealer, it has been inspected in both VA and in MD on 01/13/2023. There was no warning.

NHTSA complaint #11507389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,000 miles Rockford, IL

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE ENTIRE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW SHATTERED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED ONE HINGE WAS HOLDING ONE SIDE OF THE LIFTGATE WINDOW BEFORE DETACHING COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HINGES WERE DISINTEGRATED AND HAD A WHITE, POWDERY APPEARANCE. THE CONTACT CALLED ANDERSON'S ROCK RIVER FORD (24 N ALPINE RED, ROCKFORD, IL 61107, (815) 229-0510) AND WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

NHTSA complaint #11240400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 115,000 miles Grass Lake, MI

VISIBILITY/WIPER

BACK DOOR WONT OPEN, REAR WIPER DOESN'T WORK, RAIN COMES IN THROUGH BACK DOOR.

NHTSA complaint #11233650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Wallagrass, ME

VISIBILITY/WIPER

THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME I AM REPLACING WHEEL BEARING IN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THIS CAUSES THE WHEEL TO SHAKE. I CANT AFFORD TO CONTINUE TO PUT MONEY INTO A VEHICLE WITH SUCH LOW MILES AND EVERY 6 MONTHS. ALSO REAR WIPER MOTOR BURNT OUT DUE TO A LEAKY SEAL OR POOR SEAL FROM FORD.

NHTSA complaint #11180058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Sylvania, GA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #11062134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Sylvania, GA

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #11062134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,000 miles Memphis, TN

VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE REAR GLASS SHATTERED WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF SOMETHING HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. IT APPEARS TO HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. GLASS WAS STREWN TOWARD THE OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE TO IT'S DRIVERS SIDE. THIS WAS PROBABLY DUE TO THE RIGHT REAR HINGE THAT WAS EXTENDED AND PROTRUDING OUTSIDE OF THE WINDOW AREA. THIS MOTION PROBABLY CAUSED THE GLASS TO BE HURLED OUT AND TO THE LEFT OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11039605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,000 miles West Seneca, NY

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT NOTICED STREAKS RUNNING DOWN THE VEHICLE'S GLASS. ALSO, THE HINGES FOR THE GLASS ON THE LIFTGATE EXPERIENCED PREMATURE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

NHTSA complaint #10970344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Eaton, OH

VISIBILITY/WIPER

OUR CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY, TEMPERATURE AROUND 30. I GRABBED SOMETHING OUT OF THE BACK OF THE CAR AND WHEN I SHUT THE LIFTGATE, THE GLASS INSTANTLY SHATTERED, THROWING GLASS SEVERAL FEET IN EACH DIRECTION. THE GLASS HAD NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY SCRATCHED, CRACKED, OR DAMAGED IN ANY WAY.

NHTSA complaint #10945057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 119,000 miles Effingham, IL

VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE BACK GLASS EXPLODED SPONTANEOUSLY. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS WITH IN A FEW FEET. WE FOUND GLASS FRAGMENTS IN THE BACK SEAT, CARGO AREA, ALL OVER THE DRIVE WAY, AND IN A SEMI-CIRCLE SEVERAL FEET AROUND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS JUST PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN OR ENTERED SINCE THE NIGHT BEFORE.

NHTSA complaint #10836326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,420 miles Kenosha, WI

VISIBILITY/WIPER

A/C PUMP CYCLES ON AND OFF BUT NO A/C IN SUMMER. IN WINTER -THE DEFROSTER CUTS OUT WHICH I BELIEVE IS A OVERHEATING RESISTER THUS NOT CYCLING THE A/C. ALSO SWITCH IS INOP FOR FAN ON POSITIONS 1 AND 2. I BELIEVE THE SYSTEM " MALFUNCTION" IS A FIRE/ SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS A SAFETY CAMPAIGN BECAUSE OF ALL WEATHER HAZARDS SUCH AS FOG, EXCESSIVE SUMMER TEMPS, AND FREEZING TEMPS WITH CONDENSATION. THANKS

NHTSA complaint #10764961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 119,453 miles Vancouver, WA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

SUN ROOF SHATTERED WHILE IN HOT SUN,LATER BLEW OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY

NHTSA complaint #10745873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jackson, MS

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10702803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,000 miles Bethel Park, PA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW EXPLODED WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WITH THE GARAGE DOOR CLOSED. HAPPENED SUNDAY AT 6:45 PM WITH AN OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE OF 45 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. CAR HAD BEEN IN THE GARAGE ALL WEEKEND, SINCE FRIDAY EARLY AFTERNOON. NO OUTSIDE INFLUENCE CAUSED THE BREAKAGE TO HAPPEN. GLASS FILLED THE BACK OF THE CAR AND THE ENTIRE BACK OF THE GARAGE. FALLS RIGHT IN LINE WITH NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE11016.

NHTSA complaint #10694519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,000 miles Bethel Park, PA

VISIBILITY

THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW EXPLODED WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WITH THE GARAGE DOOR CLOSED. HAPPENED SUNDAY AT 6:45 PM WITH AN OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE OF 45 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. CAR HAD BEEN IN THE GARAGE ALL WEEKEND, SINCE FRIDAY EARLY AFTERNOON. NO OUTSIDE INFLUENCE CAUSED THE BREAKAGE TO HAPPEN. GLASS FILLED THE BACK OF THE CAR AND THE ENTIRE BACK OF THE GARAGE. FALLS RIGHT IN LINE WITH NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE11016.

NHTSA complaint #10694519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Lake Zurich, IL

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #10693980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 91,840 miles Wausau, WI

VISIBILITY/WIPER

REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE PARKED AND REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER WORKING.

NHTSA complaint #10681421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,800 miles Astoria, NY

VISIBILITY

CAR WAS PARKED AND CLOSED REAR LIFT GATE AND REAR WINDOW EXPLODED ON ME.

NHTSA complaint #10668922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 18,000 miles Harleysville, PA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I HAVE A 2011 FORD ESCAPE WITH AROUND 18000 MILES. THE LIFT GATE GLASS EXPLODED WHEN I SHUT THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING. GLASS FOR SPREAD INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10653928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,361 miles Fairview, PA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN SLEET AND SNOW AT 40 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID AND NOTHING WOULD COME OUT. THE CONTACT COULD NOT SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SPRAY NOZZLE WAS CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,361.

NHTSA complaint #10637045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 699 miles Fairview, PA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE TAILGATE AND THE ENTIRE BACK WINDSHIELD SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURES WERE LOWER THAN NORMAL CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 699.

NHTSA complaint #10637025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,231 miles Norwalk, OH

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

MY CAR WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVE WAY. I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING EXPLODED. I WENT OUTSIDE TO FIND MY REAR WINDOW HAD SHATTERED. I CALLED FORD BECAUSE I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND IT SEEMED TO BE A COMMON THING WITH THESE VEHICLES. THE ONLY THING THEY SAID WAS THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE THAT HAPPENING WITH THIS MODEL AND THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP WITH THE EXPENSES.

NHTSA complaint #10579253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,000 miles Peterborough, NH

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. UPDATED 03/20/14*LJ UPDATED 03/20/2014

NHTSA complaint #10564921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,000 miles Newark, DE

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A RED LIGHT THE TAILGATE WINDOW EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA complaint #10561631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,728 miles Parma Heights, OH

VISIBILITY/WIPER

DROVE CAR TO WORK, PARKED IN THE OUTSIDE LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30 A.M. RECEIVED A CALL ABOUT 2 HOURS LATER BY SECURITY THAT MY "WINDOW SHATTERED". THINKING SOMETHING HIT THE WINDOW, I WENT DOWN TO SEE THE DAMAGE. THE SECURITY OFFICER WHO WAS IN A BOOTH SEVERAL CARS AWAY FROM MINE SAID HE HEARD A VERY LOUD POP, WHEN HE WENT TO INVESTIGATE HE NOTICED MY BACK HATCH WINDOW JUST SHATTERED. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT MAYBE IF WAS FROM THE COLD, IT WAS COLD THAT MORNING, BUT IT HAS BEEN COLDER BEFORE AND I DID NOT USE THE REAR DEFROST THAT MORNING. WHILE DOING SOME INVESTIGATING MYSELF, IT SEEMS THAT FORD HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THE 2010/2011 HATCH WINDOWS SHATTERING FOR NO APPARENT REASON.

NHTSA complaint #10560180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,000 miles Dauphin, PA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW SUDDENLY BECAME SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

NHTSA complaint #10556339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,000 miles 202-578-7868, VA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE WINDOW WAS FOUND TO BE SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10555514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 29,025 miles Huntley, IL

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

JUST AS THE LIFT GATE CLOSED, THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED.

NHTSA complaint #10555148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2011 Ford Escape problems

← Full 2011 Ford Escape report