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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.

2014 Ford Escape steering problems

steering problem

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2014 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 7 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #18

Jun 242017

Escape

  • 14,000 miles

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

Power steering goes out when you step on the acelator to merge into traffic and the vehicle attempts to stall taking off from stop sign. Also at 14000 miles I was told all four wheels needed alignment and I did not ask them to check alignment. I was told I get 30 plus mpg and have not been able to get over 24 mpg

- Yuba City, CA, USA

problem #17

Jun 082017

Escape

  • 26,000 miles
Steering assist failure service required warning sign came up. Steering wheel stopped working because really tight and wouldnt turn at all. Vehicle was luckily stationed when discovering the problem but problem continued to occur while vehicle was in motion as well

- Shelby Township, MI, USA

problem #16

Nov 212016

Escape

  • 32,300 miles
November 21st, 2016 rack and pinion failed at 32,300 miles on a 2014 Ford Escape 4X4 titanium. 2.0 turbo. Dealership said it was defective and unit was making a "ratchet" noise when turned. Dealership said it was all covered under warranty and replaced unit at no charge. One month later service manager called me and said it was not covered under warranty, even though my vehicle is less than three years old and had under 36,000 miles, even at the time they called in December 2016. Last Ford I will ever own. This is my wife's car and the Porsche dealership that services my vehicle never treats me like this. Dealership expects me to pay the bill now. After telling me previously it was covered under warranty.thinking about getting a lawyer just for principle of the issue to deal wih the dealership.

- London, KY, USA

problem #15

Aug 132016

Escape

  • 10,000 miles

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

While driving 50mph just before 90deg. Corner light came on dash power steering just quit. Was barely able to pull over and stop. I shut car off and check found nothing. When I restart problem went away took car to dealer but it read no codes so they wont do anything. So when will it happen again? find hard to believe when hook up it only reads what is wrong and no history of what happened.

- Cornelius, OR, USA

problem #14

Jan 052016

Escape 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,000 miles
The contact owns as 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the while making a left or right turn at various speeds, an abnormal noise emitted from the steering wheel. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000. Updated 10/06/16

- Lawrenceville, NJ, USA

problem #13

Jul 252016

Escape

  • 48,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. While driving 60 mph, the transmission blew out and the steering column fractured. The vehicle was taken to be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 48,000.

- Alameda, CA, USA

problem #12

Jul 092016

Escape

  • 48,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 35 mph, the power steering failed. The vehicle was restarted and operated properly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering failed and needed to be replaced. It was unknown if the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000. The vehicle VIN was not available.

- Vernon, CT, USA

problem #11

Jun 052016

Escape

  • 32,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 3 mph and making a left turn, the front passenger side wheel suddenly separated from the vehicle. The contact's vehicle crashed into a second vehicle. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering mechanism was defective. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,000.

- Evanston, IL, USA

problem #10

Mar 152015

Escape

  • 39,450 miles
The steering would not center and lost power and locked up could not turn right or left.

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #9

Feb 132015

Escape

  • 8,600 miles
Car just exited the highway. Drove approximately a quarter mile and made a right turn. The steering locked up in mid turn. Fortunately there were no cars parked on this particular street or there would have been an accident. Managed to straighten wheel and able to pull in a parking spot. Car's electrical system started shutting down to save battery power. Had car towed to Ford dealer. They say the alternator was weak. Five days after the incident and still waiting for the part. Lost confidence in the product. Car is nine months old.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #8

Nov 192014

Escape 4-cyl

  • 12,000 miles

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

My wife pulled up driveway, I happened to be outside next to car when she pulled in. We suddenly heard loud crunching sound and she stopped. When we found nothing I asked her to back up. We heard crunching sound again and she said the steering wheel was not controlling car. She immediately stopped. We discovered right front wheel pushed against tire well of body frame. Next day when tow truck lifted car, we discovered the ball joint assembly had come apart. Perry Ford (san diego) confirmed ball joint appears to have come apart without any obvious sign of damage due to impact or driver fault. Note: My wife had just come off freeway, traveling 15 miles from work and 1 mile from off ramp to our home. If she had been just another 5 min on freeway traveling 65-70mph...I hate to imagine what would have happened. Please investigate this matter with Ford.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #7

Aug 222014

Escape

  • 13,400 miles
I was waiting in line to enter the freeway. A yellow warning sign came on in the car, and then there was no control of the steering wheel. It locked. I was able to crank on it with all my strength, put on my hazard lights, and my daughter hung out the window to wave us over a few inches to the right. I then entered a safe lot to call roadside assistance. But, while I was on the phone with them, the yellow light went off, and the car steering wheel moved.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #6

Aug 242014

Escape 4-cyl

  • 4,155 miles
Steering wheel suddenly stopped working when I stopped at a gas station and gave an error message "steering assist fault service required". car is barely 3 months old.

- Grand Prairie, TX, USA

problem #5

Nov 142013

Escape

  • 2,000 miles
11/13. Had car for 2 months. Stopped for gas, fueled up got in to leave power steering gone. Had to call husband to come get car as I could not turn the wheel. Had vehicle towed to Ford dealer. Dealer not helpful, said they were able to see power steering was lost unable to fix. Vehicle or computer somehow fixed itself? happened again 8/22/14. Thankfully it happened in front of my home & did not need assistance. Having vehicle towed to Ford dealer in am.

- Farmingville, NY, USA

problem #4

May 302014

Escape

  • 5,000 miles
Power steering has gone out in this new vehicle 3 separate occasions. When looked at by a technician, they do not know what is wrong. Been in the shop for over 20 days.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #3

Apr 012011

Escape 4-cyl

  • 2,000 miles
The vehicle's steering is too sensitive at higher speed. Generally speaking above 65 mph any movement of the steering wheel will cause the vehicle to go that direction. When a correction is made, the vehicle goes the opposite way (too much) which tends to make vehicle feel and look as if it wanders on the roadway. From what I understand this is due to "electronic steering." Many complains are found online of the same problem with other drivers. This is a dangerous crash causing problem and drivers need to be on high alert for this potential problem. I would think if this is investigated, crashes with causes of driver inattention whereas a vehicle goes off the right side of the road or left of center, sensitive steering maybe the root of the problem in many cases. The vehicle has been inspected by two Ford dealerships and found nothing wrong. I feel this is a engineering problem such as the ignition switches on the GM products. This was all pointed out to the regional customer service manager heather nabb. Ford's response to this problem is until there is a "failure", there is nothing they will do.

- Leetonia, OH, USA

problem #2

May 092014

Escape 4-cyl

  • 9,600 miles
While driving on highway I accidentally depressed the keyless start-stop button. The engine shut off, power steering and brakes were lost and engine would not restart by pushing start-stop button. I was able to slow car - with other cars close behind- shift gear shift to neutral and apply brake pedal so that start-stop button would restart engine. I have had Ford dealership check keyless start-stop system and they indicate that system works as it should. Start - stop button is located in drivers right knee area and is two inches from similar looking climate control button. Power steering and brakes were lost with engine off and car in motion. I contacted Ford Motor Company and they referred us to the dealership. This is a dangerous design flaw.

- Richmond, VT, USA

problem #1

Dec 122013

Escape 4-cyl

  • 275 miles
I was driving to pick up my daughter from school and the car steering stiffened up. I was in the parking lot so luckily nothing happened. I stopped and restarted the car but it was still stiff that it was impossible to turn and take car out of the lot. I had to leave the car there and bring the kids home on my own. Not what you can expect from a new car and certainly very luck Y to not happen on the highway. Ford saying it is a manufacturing defect and they forgot the harness in the power steering. It was then taken from a new car and placed on my car. I am not comfortable with it but they said they cannot give me a new car.

- Teaneck , NJ, USA

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