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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
85,262 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 1 of 19)

problem #370

Dec 242024

Escape

  • 138,260 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 while her husband was driving approximately 20-25 MPH and making a right turn with the contact occupying the front passenger's seat, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, nearly causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The driver was able to drive to the nearby residence of the contact's brother. The contact stated upon restarting the vehicle approximately two hours later, the power steering functionality had returned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer the following day and was diagnosed with steering shaft torque sensor malfunction. The dealer replaced and calibrated the steering shaft torque sensor twice. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 138,260.

- Southport, NC, USA

problem #369

Aug 032015

Escape

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the steering wheel was seized, and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed torque sensor. The contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was next taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed torque sensor and the contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #368

Dec 292024

Escape

  • miles
We were sitting in a parking lot and the car was started, the steering wheel was very difficult to turn. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection. No one-??s safety was at risk. This is the first time this has happened, we have had the car since July 2024, we have not taken it to a mechanic yet. The vehicle has not been inspected yet. There was no warning light or other symptoms prior to this event.

- Mabelvale, AR, USA

problem #367

Dec 092024

Escape

  • 110,000 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 while driving at approximately 35 MPH and making a right turn, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated that the failure was self-corrected, and proper functionality returned. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the electric power steering gears needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The independent mechanic made the contact aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); and referred the contact to a dealer for assistance. The VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #366

Dec 122024

Escape

  • miles
While driving the vehicle, the power steering suddenly went out without warning.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #365

Nov 292024

Escape

  • miles
Intermittent loss of power steering.

- Harrisonburg, VA, USA

problem #364

Nov 042024

Escape

  • 188,000 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 while driving 20 MPH around a roundabout, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (STEERING). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 188,000.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

problem #363

Oct 272024

Escape

  • miles
I lose my power steering. First time it happened I had turned the steering wheel to its-?? fullest extent, then lost the power steering.when I turn off the engine and restart it, the power returns. This has happened 4-5 times in the past 4-5 years-?? until today. Today it happened 4 times, just with normal turns (no hard banked turns) - again, I had to turn off the engine, then start it, with hopes that it reset itself. I-??m 71, I CAN drive it without power steering, but I believe it-??s dangerous and a safety hazard. Is my 2011 Ford Escape on a list for a replacement part? Thank you.

- Tiffin, OH, USA

problem #362

Oct 182024

Escape

  • 204,043 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the vehicle lost electrical power steering functionality and was nearly rear-ended. The contact stated that the steering wheel was significantly difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer into a parking lot. A mobile mechanic determined that the electric power steering had failed. The mechanic turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the electrical power steering became functional. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering torque sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) because the VIN was not included. A case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 204,043.

- Winston, OR, USA

problem #361

Aug 142024

Escape

  • miles
Power steering is inoperable and was verified by Crossroads Ford Wake Forest. Same issue as other 2011 Escapes that are covered under TSB 14-0016. My VIN was not included in the TSB but is the same issue per Ford Dealership. Vehicle is available for inspection if needed. May cause a crash since vehicle is difficult to control without power steering. Power steering has been intermittently not working for approximately 2 months.

- Wake Forest, NC, USA

problem #360

Aug 172024

Escape

  • miles

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

The electric steering is not letting you turn the steering wheel while driving you have to turn the car off and let it sit before it will work again. I see there is a recall for the same year as my car but it is not included? I don-??t understand why as I see that there are others with the same issues.

- Jackson, MI, USA

problem #359

Jul 082024

Escape

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the electronic power steering assist malfunctioned, and the steering wheel was very difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Conroy, TX, USA

problem #358

Jul 082024

Escape

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the electronic power steering stopped functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The power steering assist fault warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); the VIN was included, but the vehicle had already been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 102,000.

- Meadows Place, TX, USA

problem #357

Jul 012024

Escape

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel was very difficult to turn. The contact was not aware if there were any warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over and called a friend for assistance. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence and then the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the electric power steering sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The mechanic referred the contact to a dealer to complete the repair. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, a diagnostic test was not performed and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

- Wake Forest, NC, USA

problem #356

Jun 242024

Escape

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to drive from the parking lot; however, the steering wheel became very stiff, making it difficult to maneuver the vehicle. The contact was not able to turn the steering wheel to the right nor the left. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or local dealer. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall; however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #355

Jun 192024

Escape

  • 175,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel was pulling to the right. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact used excessive force to regain control of the vehicle. The contact arrived to the destination and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a defective steering column. Upon investigation, the mechanic discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) which was linked to the failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

- Orange, MA, USA

problem #354

Jun 102024

Escape

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was firm and difficult to maneuver. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

- Milford, MI, USA

problem #353

Jun 142024

Escape

  • miles
Power steering went out on wife's 2011 ford escape, checked for recall and found none for her vehicle however there was for 2008 to 2011 escapes which involved the torque sensor. I don't know why I never received a recall notice and have noticed many other people have had the same problem and Ford is unwilling to do anything about it. This is a defect that could cost someone or someone's their life or serious injury and Ford should be required to fix the problem. Hope that pressure will be put on Ford to fix the problem as they should.

- Camden , TN, USA

problem #352

Apr 152024

Escape

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the steering column assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Cedar Park, TX, USA

problem #351

May 162024

Escape

  • 206,550 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his granddaughter was driving 30-35 MPH, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 206,550.

- Brunswick, GA, USA

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