CarComplaints.com Notes: The top problem trend for the 2014 Escape is transmission failure at around 70k miles.
This is relatively low mileage for an expensive transmission failure ($4,500 average to fix), but unless the trend becomes more established, we are only awarding the 2014 Escape our "Beware of the Clunker" badge for now.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,141 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.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the power steering assist fault warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact used excessive force to move the vehicle off the road. Due to the failure, the contact initially had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer. The contact was informed that the steering rack assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving various speeds, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle with the steering assist fault service required warning message illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer and the mechanic performed a steering gear update on the vehicle. Recently, the contact stated that after reversing out of her driveway, the failure returned as the same warning message reappeared on the instrument panel. Upon restart, the vehicle resumed normal operation; however, the failure would intermittently occur while driving at various speeds. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
Initially the only problem I had was the back up camera. It kept disconnecting, with a failure (error) code. Soon Afterwards, The vehicle loss all power steering abilities. The tires have been replaced with new tires. The vehicle locked up when parked and I was unable to move it when in drive. I called for assistance from a towing company. They inflated my tires. I took the vehicle to a certified mechanic. They were unable to resolve the issue. They said they couldn-??t find them problem. Today, I (just) returned from an out of state vacation with my 2 grandchildren in tow, and loss power steering again while going down a steep and curvy mountain side. I found a pullout, parked and I called my daughter to come pick up the kids (several hours away) for their safety. I also had my husband assist me with handling and driving the vehicle with out power steering. Again several hours away. The Mountains & cliffs were a threat and a danger to all of us on the road. So we worked through a plan of push & pull. I-??ve reported the problem multiple times to the local FORD dealership & manufacture with no positive response or suggestions. The vehicle is a 2014 with only 52,722 miles. I need help, please.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" Rack and Pinion Gear Assembly. Yes, but already inspected by Ford Dealership. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Stopped to get gas while on a trip, when turned the engine on, the steering wheel would not turn. It was completely locked with no prior warning. If this had happened on the interstate, I could have wrecked with children in the vehicle. I am not even sure I would have been able to turn the wheel to pull off to the side of the road. VERY dangerous. Had to be towed 24miles to closest Ford dealership and spent the night in a strange town as everything was closed and couldn't get rental as the supply was low in the tiny town. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, dealer service center confirmed problem and informed me it would cost $3K to fix on my 2014 Ford Escape, which only has 54K miles on it. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes, by Ford's service center, where the vehicle is being repaired. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" No warning until after the problem occurred. The reading stated, "Steering Assist Fault Service Required" when I started my car to a locked steering wheel.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 mph, there was an abnormal crunching sound coming from the steering wheel. In addition, the steering wheel ceased without warning. The vehicle was restarted and the steering functionality returned. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
The steering wheel has became very hard to use. The alert "steering fault service now" came on. Is there a recall on this? the man I talk to said its probably electrical and its dangerous to drive. Looking for information thank you
As recent as 3/30/21 suddenly upon starting my car up the powersterring went out, fortunately, before any major movement of car. I shifted to park and shut the engine down and restarted and finally the power sterring was working. This has happened three times now and rather episodic in nature. Time to have it fixed via recall process. Please advise!
While driving down the highway 70mph, I suddenly lost power steering. I struggled to keep the car in my lane as it pulled hard to the right. My dashboard lit up with "steering loss stop safely" message.
Luckily had just stopped and put the vehicle in park, steering wheel shook, and then received error message of 'steering assist fault service required'. placed the car in reverse and realized I had no power steering. Performed a code scan and received a U3000 error. Taking vehicle to Ford tomorrow for additional diagnostics.
I was leaving the doctors office and started my car and the vehicle alerted me with "steering assist fault service required", I turned the off and restarted it and the alert went away and my car seems ok now but now I'm worried it will happen again while I'm driving.
On 22aug2020 I was traveling from fayetteville, nc to bluffton, SC and stopped in santee, SC for a bathroom break. Started the car up to leave and had no power steering. Tried turning off and back on but no change. So, I ended up driving 1.5 hours without power steering. After being at my destination for a little over an hour I started the car to go somewhere and the steering was fine and has been since.
Power steering assist failure service required. Happened without warning. Vehicle had been driven steady for hours. Issue showed when starting the car after very short stop for water.very difficult to steer. Was able to reset by turning off the ignition and restarting. Internet search shows many owners with exact same issue
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle loss power steering assist and became difficult to steer. The vehicle was towed to bill currie Ford (815 N dale mabry hwy, tampa, fl 33614) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 30,259.
71,000 power steering assist is failing. Power steering will go out while driving. First happened while parking, but it goes off and on while driving the vehicle. This is very dangerous!
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was at a stand still and loss power steering functionality. The contact stated that, power steering assist service required was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was contacted and an appointment was made to have the vehicle diagnosed which was still pending. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,595 consumer stated this happens when driving.
The steering goes out randomly. Wheel stiffens up and will not move. Most times I have to turn the engine off 4 or 5 times and then it will work.. so far. But I'm worried it may not work one day.
I started to drive my 2014 Ford Escape and the vehicle had no power steering. I noticed the steering assist fault light was on. Luckily this happened while parked and not while I was driving on a busy road. Very unsafe. If this happened on the road someone could be seriously injured or even death. This has to be fixed soon. It seems to be all VIN numbers of the 2014 Escape.
The electric power steering assist failed and the power steering fault message appeared when backing out of my garage. After turning the ignition off and starting the car again, the problem resolved. My Ford dealer found code U3000:49 stored. Required replacement of the entire steering gear at a cost of $2559.47, including alignment. I feel fortunate that this happened in my driveway. If it had been on the highway it could have caused a serious accident. The service advisor said that this was the first Escape he has seen with this problem, but I have found numerous accounts of similar problems on the internet.
I started to drive my 2014 Ford Escape and the vehicle had no power steering. I noticed the steering assist fault light was on. I was able to drive from the gas station to my house, which was only a few blocks. It was very hard to turn the steering wheel. I had to have it towed to the Ford dealership. The Ford service advisor told me that the rack & pinion is internally damaged and needs to be replaced. He also stated the rack & pinion is a seal component, so that is why the entire thing has to be replaced. This is a safety concern, if I was driving at a higher speed during the failure, it could have caused a accident with no power steering. My Ford Escape is 2014, 42,000 miles.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Deer Park, NY, USA