Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
86,288 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Ford Escape steering problems

steering problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Ford Escape:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2011 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 8 of 18)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #217

Nov 012020

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Power steering assit fault since last recall it has never disappeared and the steering is stiff.

- New Hope, MN, USA

problem #216

Dec 012020

Escape

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the traction control warning light and an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was drivable however, the contact did not feel safe driving the vehicle. A dealer was not contacted. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage approximately 50,000.

- Talkeetna, AK, USA

problem #215

Nov 202020

Escape

  • 120,000 miles
My power steering assist is lost on my 2011 Ford Escape. 915,000 other Ford have had this issue and Ford has allowed this recall. My VIN# does not match with the cars that Ford allows recalled. Ford tells me that my car was mfg. In June 2011 so this power steering assist will not happen. And yet I had my car towed because my power steering assist was not working. I am afraid of driving my car as this issue creates a dangerous driving situation.

- Sherman Oaks, CA, USA

problem #214

Nov 072020

Escape

  • 77,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving, my power steering went out to where I could not turn the steering wheel to turn a corner which almost lead to me and my husband getting hit by a semi truck. The car had been running and turning just fine up to stopping at the stop sign. Once I went to turn right, I couldn't turn the steering wheel and went straight through the intersection instead which is when I was almost hit by a semi truck that was headed in the other direction because I couldn't turn right, my car went straight the the intersection. Had to turn the car off sit for a few minutes, turn it back on and then it worked. Took it to the auto repair shop 3 days later and it happened again to them. The power steering just stops working while the car is already driving down the road which is not safe at all. Thankfully I was not in the highway yet. There is a current recall for this power steering torque issue and it is recommended that the whole power steering control module be replaced. Was told by Ford that this is VIN specific. However, my 2011 was manufactured in Kansas City and came off the manufacturing line on 9/27/2010. Recall states that this affected 2011 Ford Escapes from the Kansas City plant through 9/16/2010. Ford would not tell me when the steering column portion of my car was actually constructed before coming off the line on 9/27/2010 and could not verify parts that were used in the steering column module yet the issue this car is having matches exactly what that recall was for. I do think this recall needs to be further evaluated as it has obviously effected more vehicles than Ford is willing to admit or look into especially since my car's manufacturing date was only 16 days after the recall date from the same manufacturing plant of Kansas City.

- Wausau, WI, USA

problem #213

Oct 312020

Escape

  • 77,500 miles
I lost power steering while driving on the highway. I was switching lanes and approaching the exit ramp, when I my car alerted me to the loss of steering and I had to manually steer the car off the highway and safely onto a side street.

- Astoria, NY, USA

problem #212

Oct 202020

Escape

  • 200,030 miles
Power steering stops working. Very hard to steer the car, returns after shut off. Original owner. The fault happened while vehicle was in motion.

- Saint Cloud, FL, USA

problem #211

Nov 022020

Escape

  • 170,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle felt slightly stiff in steering. Next day operated fine until switched off and later started up again, at which point steering was very stiff (dangerous to drive)! I then parked it and turned the engine off. Later I started the engine and steering was again ok. Sometimes it gets hard to steering while driving...I never know when the steering will go out. It changes at different times, at different speeds and on flat or unlevel streets. This is a safety related defect and poses a very dangerous situation! I have found many reports of this same issue on the same and similar vehicles. The recall began on July 18, 2014...Ford's number for this recall is 14S05."?"

- Lynn Haven, FL, USA

problem #210

Nov 022020

Escape

  • 260,000 miles
Vehicle intermittent hard to steer. Starts up fine you drive for a while then car is very hard to steer. Shut car off then car is fine. Then a week or two later same issue. Car does not throw any codes.

- Stanwood, WA, USA

problem #209

Nov 032020

Escape

  • 139,000 miles
I purchased my used Escape in March of this year. Its a 2011. I have had it now for 8 months. 2 days ago my car showed a msg "power steer assist fault" it still drove fine that night. Then yesterday morning my car was incredibly hard to turn. I looked up the msg and got recall info. Took it to the dealer paid $100 bucks for diagnostics on the car. My last $100. They got error code B2278. Ive called repeatedly and searched online. My car was manufactured where the recalls were, the error codes are the same, and im being told that there is no recall for my vehicle. How is that possible when the exact conditions that other recalls had my car has? I dont know if the car had the recall fixed before, bc I bought it used. Idk if the dealer knew. I just need help fixing this. I use my car for work. I am a mail carrier, and delivery driver. I have no idea who to go to for help.

- Junction City, KS, USA

problem #208

Nov 042020

Escape

  • 166,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized at vehicle start-up. The contact was unable to move the steering wheel in either direction. After waiting for approximately ten minutes, the steering wheel released and operated as intended. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 166,000.

- Philiadelphia, PA, USA

problem #207

Oct 082020

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am writing this as my concerned I haven't had my vehicle less then year and I have noticed my steering wheel will lock up on me while I am driving. I have noticed it has happened 3 times since driving it and it seems like it was 2-3 weeks apart from when it do it. I'm not really sure on the dates of when it happened. I typically drive mostly country. My typical drive is 60 miles a day going from work and home.

- Morgantown, IN, USA

problem #206

Oct 212020

Escape

  • 98,531 miles
The steering wheel of vehicle locks up while driving making the vehicle very difficult or impossible to steer. After stopping the vehicle, putting the gear in park, and then shutting off the engine and restarting the vehicle, the driver can once again gain control of the steering wheel. However, this has been happening with increasing frequency, that it makes driving the vehicle very hazardous as you never known when this loss of steering may occur. The loss of steering control has happened both on city streets and on the highway, but appears to be more noticeable when turning because that is when the driver should be able to turn the steering wheel. I am concerned about how this impacts safety in regards to being able to control the direction of the vehicle, especially on snowy winter roads. According to the service station where I brought my vehicle, it showed a dtc code of B2278, indicating that the issue is with a torque sensor that is part of the electronic power steering system and that this code is linked to safety recall #14S05. However, the Ford dealership in my area told me that this safety recall does not pertain to the VIN number associated with my vehicle.

- Elk River, MN, USA

problem #205

Sep 142020

Escape

  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, her daughter experienced complete power steering failure with an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to either an independent mechanic or a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

- Morgan Town, IN, USA

problem #204

Oct 072019

Escape 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 138,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to gordie boucher Ford of menomonee falls (N88W14300 main St, menomonee falls, wi 53051) and the contact was informed that the mechanic was unable to troubleshoot the failure because the vehicle was not currently experiencing the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

- Manomonee Falls, WI, USA

problem #203

Oct 032020

Escape

  • 215,000 miles
Power steering just randomly went out while driving. I know previously there was a recall for this, however I've only had the car a couple years and it's just now a problem. If I turn the car completely off and restart it starts working again. Also, there was a recall for a front bearing part, I'm having issues there as well. Front right.

- Barnesville, GA, USA

problem #202

Sep 162020

Escape

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 15 mph, the vehicle loss power steering assist without warning. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle however, the failure recurred without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to steer and was parked several blocks away from his residence. The contact called star Ford (1101 S brand blvd, glendale, ca 91204) and bob wondries Ford (400 S atlantic blvd, alhambra, ca 91801) and was informed that there were no recalls on his vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #201

Sep 242020

Escape

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact stated that upon restart of the vehicle, the steering resumed normal operation. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The contact's wife called an independent mechanic and was informed that the vehicle was under recall for the steering. The contact's wife called covert Ford Inc. (11514 research blvd, austin, tx 78759) and was informed that the VIN was not under. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000(steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #200

Sep 232020

Escape

  • 180,358 miles
The electric power steering has gone out unexpectedly. The tech at the shop is very surprised that my VIN isn't covered under the recall for the power steering. I was quoted $2,000 for the repair. Definitely not worth the repair at that cost.

- Hamilton, OH, USA

problem #199

Jul 102020

Escape

  • 140,000 miles
All off these events I am describing happened all while driving and still occur while in park. All of these also slowly progressed into one big issue over a month and a half period. It started off as my headlights were dimming and flickering, then it progressed to my dash lights doing the same, flickering and dimming on and off. Then it started affecting my ac and heat, it would get locked to stay on and I would have it turned off but if my gauges were in a certain position sometimes it would just turn on by itself. Then my battery light would turn on and off, and then my power steering was making like a click sound and it would go in and out. One time my locks were going on and off by themselves as well. I replaced the battery thinking it was dying, that didn't help. I took it to get the battery and alternator tested and it was giving a 100%. I'm at a loss and do not know what else to do as the power steering is an issue.

- Salut Ste Marie, MI, USA

problem #198

Sep 112020

Escape

  • 49,116 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to steer while making turns. The contact stated that when he got to his residence, he turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated as designed. The vehicle was taken to cavalier Ford greenbrier (1515 S military hwy, chesapeake, va 23320), and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering). The contact scheduled an appointment for the repair which was still pending. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,116.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?