Four problems related to transfer case have been reported for the 2011 Ford Escape. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2011 Ford Escape based on all problems reported for the 2011 Escape.
Transfer case overheating and dumping lubricant on transmission/drivers side axle spraying all over.
Ford part bl8z-7251-a in 2001-2012 Escape/Mercury mariner/Mazda tribute,& similarly designed Ford explorer,edge, taurus, and several Mazda--all wheel drive and 4x4 models are made with known defective transfercases/automoblie design. The engine exhaust is placed too close to the gear case which dries the lubricant within (12 oz. ). Massive bearing failure can occur at any moment destroying the transfer case, causing a lockup condition, the case or drive shaft can break free and result in a crash.
A known common problem on 2001-2012 Ford Escape awd models: the transfer case on awd models is mounted near the exhaust which bakes and dries lubrication grease in the transfer case resulting in bearing failure and lock-up conditions which can cause a crash at highway speeds.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. While accelerating from a traffic light, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the contact heard an abnormal noise underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there were metal fragments in the fluid in the transfer case. The contact was informed that the transfer case needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and provided case number: cas12279241. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000. The VIN was not available.