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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

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2011 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 9 of 18)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #197

Jul 122020

Escape

  • 122,075 miles

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

When im starting to drive the Escape it makes a warning sound and the steering wheel does not feel natural. At times it feels stiff and hard to turn and at other times it turns so easily. On the dashboard it shows me a warning sign telling me, 'power steering assistant fault, ' its happened three times these past few months. The third time this happened, I did a reset but it still shows up. I dont feel comfortable driving the vehicle because it feels dangerous.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #196

Aug 112020

Escape

  • 167,654 miles
Light came on for power steering assisted fault after I put car in park and opened the door while engine was still running. After turning car off and restarting turning steering wheel became very difficult.

- Medford, OR, USA

problem #195

Jul 272020

Escape

  • 66,864 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to his residence. The contact spoken to an independent mechanic who associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering) however, the VIN was not included. The contact called autonation Ford orange park located at 7700 blanding blvd, jacksonville, fl 32244, (904) 270-9943, to notify the dealer of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 66,864.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

problem #194

Jul 142012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 163,000 miles

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

My steering keeps going out on me to where I cannot move the steering wheel. This has happened twice to me within 20 minutes. I have children in the car and I have to put on my four ways put my car in park and then turn it off and on and it works again.

- Trafford, PA, USA

problem #193

Dec 142019

Escape 6-cyl

  • 93,000 miles
The power steering goes out on the car, initially restarting the vehicle did allow it to work for a time but now it does not work at all. When it initially failed it happened at slow speeds in a parking lot as well as at high speeds on the highway. Appears to be a recurring problem that Ford attempted to fix with a "software" patch but it is clear that there is a critical flaw in the power steering units in these cars.

- Pittsburg, KS, USA

problem #192

Jun 022020

Escape 4-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
Random loss of power steering.

- Chunchula, AL, USA

problem #191

May 072020

Escape 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that in 2014, his vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering) at Ford & Lincoln of smithtown (440 East jericho turnpike, St james, NY 11780). The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist warning message flashed intermittently and the vehicle loss power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer, where he was informed that the vehicle was no longer under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. A recall repair approval request was filed however the request was denied. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. Consumer believes torque sensor was the root of the problem.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #190

May 012020

Escape 4-cyl

  • 81,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the steering ceased without warning while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that the steering torque sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to be driven. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, there was no assistance provided. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #189

Mar 012020

Escape

  • 200,000 miles
My 2011 Ford Escape is purchased from a previous owner who had a recall preformed back in 2014. The recall was for the electric power assist system. The dealership did not fix the problem correctly. Years later I have a major problem with my steering wheel shacking and know I can barely turn the wheel. Bought into the same dealership where the recall was original performed and they said I would have to pay $800 to get fixed because the recall is closed. Please help me with this problem. Regardless of mileage or age if the vehicle you sound think that safety would be the first priority for the consumer. I have owned Ford in the past but have never had this kind of problem. Please help me get this major ussue fixed. Vehicle steering wheel would shack in place and while driving about a week after the shacking the vehicle stopped shaking but you can barely steer the steering wheel to drive.

- Elko, MN, USA

problem #188

Feb 282020

Escape 6-cyl

  • 104,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when his wife attempted to drive the vehicle, there was no power steering. The failure recurred twice. The contact attempted a second time and the vehicle operated as intended. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Ford and Lincoln of smithtown located at (440 East jericho, turnpike, St james, NY 11780). The power steering was diagnosed by dealer and determined that power steering gear had troubles and the steering column would need to be replaced. Dealer said that most 2008 to 2011 Ford Escapes have been recalled for this issue but consumer's vehicle did not fit the parameters. The steering column was replaced by smithtown Ford and consumer was charged for the repair. Consumer attached the paper work from dealer showing this information. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000.

- Commack, NY, USA

problem #187

Feb 242020

Escape

  • 71,000 miles

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

Power steering failures related to electrical power steering column. It cuts out intermittently and has failed while driving. Restarting the car sometimes fixes issue. Ford has stated other 2011 Ford Escapes have a recall for the power steering system- this vehicle is not recalled.

- Acworth, GA, USA

problem #186

Feb 262020

Escape

  • 167,332 miles
First power door locks quit working, next tail gate won't open, tire pressure dash light warning comes on yet there are no problems. Check motor dash light goes on and off often yet they find no problem. Latest is power steering went out with no warning while driving again plugged into checking machine no problem. Steering wheel shakes continuously while stopped. And believe suspension is giving out. Not a car that I would recommend to anyone. Has horrible blind spots. All occurrences happen while driving or stationary. All this has happened in the life of our ownership. Steering was yesterday Feb 26,2020

- Veguita, NM, USA

problem #185

Feb 212020

Escape

  • 230 miles
The steering wheel is shaking when driving and when in park. Not sure if safe to drive

- Elko, MN, USA

problem #184

Feb 012020

Escape

  • miles
The last two times I've driven the vehicle, the power steering has failed intermittently.. when it fails, the car becomes very difficult to steer. Failed and returned 4 times in a 3 mile trip. Twice while going straight at 35mph and twice while turning at 10mph or less.

- Madison Heights, MI, USA

problem #183

Jan 232020

Escape

  • miles
The power steering went out while driving.

- Kenner, LA, USA

problem #182

Jul 012019

Escape

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality without warning. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to champion Ford sales Inc. 2502 w 26th St, erie, pa 16506, (814) 878-2500, to be diagnosed. The diagnostic test was performed however, no mention of the power steering was listed in the diagnostic report. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in recall NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #181

Jan 112020

Escape

  • 90,718 miles
Driving through my neighborhood last night my steering wheel locked

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #180

Jan 072020

Escape

  • 106,500 miles
While driving my 2011 Ford Escape the steering became hard to turn. There was no warning. Just no longer turned properly. I was driving on a highway dong about 55 miles an hour. If it happens while turning without warning there would be an increase risk of crashes.

- Melvin, MI, USA

problem #179

Jan 062020

Escape

  • 208,337 miles
Vehicle looses power steering while driving

- Peru, IN, USA

problem #178

Dec 162019

Escape 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,009 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. While driving 20 mph, the power steering failed without warning. The contact was able to regain power steering ability and drive home. The contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering), which he associated with the failure. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact also took the vehicle to monadnock Ford (119 monadnock hwy, swanzey, nh 03446) where it was diagnosed that the power steering torque sensor was defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 97,009.

- Fulton, NY, USA

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