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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,922 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.

2017 Ford Escape steering problems

steering problem

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2017 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #41

Oct 102024

Escape

  • miles

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

Was driving and suddenly steering became very difficult. It became hard to turn.

- Laredo, TX, USA

problem #40

Jun 152024

Escape

  • miles
I had my car serviced with Ford 6/2024 for the replacement of a steering rack and pinion that cost $3,000. After repair, my check engine light came on. Ford capped all my fluids, but said they didn-??t diagnose the check engine light because it would cost another $200 diagnostic fee. On 7/1/2024 I took my car to a local mechanic and he discovered I had no coolant fluid and a diagnostic test showed a misfire in Cylinder 1. He diagnosed this for free in a few minutes, while Ford refused and allowed me to drive back on the road in dangerous conditions. My coolant is leaking into cylinder 1. This is due to a manufacture defect in the open deck design of the engine block. My life was put at risk on the road driving with no coolant causing damage to my engine and reducing my car-??s performance. Joes Auto shop confirmed my issue informing that I need a new engine costing around $8,000.

- Garden Grove, CA, USA

problem #39

Dec 062023

Escape

  • miles
The power steering assist failed suddenly while my wife was driving the vehicle with our children in the car. She couldn-??t control any steering. I-??ve sought help from the dealer multiple times, but they haven-??t been helpful. No prior warnings as far as warning lamps etc.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #38

May 182024

Escape

  • miles

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

Daughter was driving and noticed initially that the steering wheel briefly lost power making right turns and applying the brakes. The next day while negotiating a curve the steering wheel froze and warning light came on stating -??steering wheel assist fault.-?? Almost left the roadway before steering returned. Went directly to mechanic nearby. Mechanic scanned and found code U0131 Lost Communication with Steering Control Module A. Vehicle is unsafe to drive and left at mechanic for repairs.

- Hiram, GA, USA

problem #37

Apr 272024

Escape

  • miles
Coolant leak engine

- Fort Worth , TX, USA

problem #36

Jan 182024

Escape

  • 46,000 miles
The contact owned a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the instrument panel began flickering. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the flickering ceased. The contact stated that shortly after the flickering stopped, the steering wheel became firm, and was unresponsive causing the vehicle to collide with a telephone pole. There were no injuries sustained. The contact stated that the air bags deployed as designed. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

- Livingston, NJ, USA

problem #35

Dec 012023

Escape

  • 45,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35-?"40 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the steering wheel was vibrating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the engine was replaced under a Customer Satisfaction Program at approximately 45,000 miles. The vehicle was taken to the same local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the flex plate was cracked. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Surprise, AZ, USA

problem #34

Nov 302023

Escape

  • miles
while driving the steering sweerves to the right doesn't do it all the time

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #33

Nov 012023

Escape

  • 68,840 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while pulling out of the driveway and attempting to make a right turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The message "Steering Loss. Stop Safely!" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering rack assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,840.

- Lowell, MA, USA

problem #32

Sep 222023

Escape

  • miles
When driving the vehicle an error pops up stating steering fault service now. When this pops up the steering tends to go tough. If you turn off the vehicle and turn it back on the error goes away and the system does not store any codes. There is no reason or repeat action to trigger this error. It was coming up monthly and the last month has popped up 3 times. This is a huge issue especially for myself who has kids and if something happened to my steering while driving I would be screwed. I have attached one service invoice but have been to a dealership 3 total times to get this issue looked into.

- Ravenna, OH, USA

problem #31

Aug 292023

Escape

  • miles

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

I was driving to NY from NC when my power steering went out in the mountains of PA there was no warning at all just all of a sudden could not barely turn the wheel. When I pulled over a warning then did come on when I turned the car back on stating steering assist failure needs service. I had to continue to drive because it was late in the evening. When I got to NY I took it to the cord dealer and they stated it is the steering rod that needs replacing and it is costing me $3166 plus tax!! The car only has 53,000 miles on it and of course is no longer under warranty!

- Leland, NC, USA

problem #30

Jun 132023

Escape

  • miles
Engine began smoking and had to be replaced 2 days after purchase (in 2020- covered under warranty.) Failed inspection for front end suspension problems which was covered under warranty at first but a year later needed struts and tie rods replaced.. In 2021 the transmission suddenly failed, cost $5,000 to repair out of pocket. The other day the power steering assist suddenly stopped working and I was told it would be $150-3,000 to fix.

- Worcester, MA, USA

problem #29

May 252023

Escape

  • miles
My power steering has gone out 6 times in the last month. It has happened once while driving on the road, and the other times in parking lots while attempting to park. I get the error Service Steering - the electric power steering system has detected a fault. I turn the car off and back on, and steering returns, but the problem persists. Since this occurred while driving at an intersection, it was extremely dangerous and I almost drove straight into another vehicle because I couldn't steer manually. I took it to a dealership, who couldn't replicate the problem. There were no other warnings or messages prior to the failure and appeared the first time the failure happened. I am concerned for my safety and the safety of others and don't feel comfortable driving the car.

- Stevensville, MI, USA

problem #28

May 162023

Escape

  • miles
At 71,000 miles, steering fault service now keeps showing up. Steering would lock up out of the blue. Dealer states rack and pinion needed to be replaced. Ford should do a recall since a lot of people are having the same problem and it is extremely dangerous to lose steering while driving.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #27

Mar 272023

Escape

  • miles
Steering stopped working abruptly, was driving and my car made 3 beeps and a message saying steering assist fault service required appeared and immediately I lost all control of the steering. Had I been traveling on a 70 mph highway and not a 30 mile an hour local road I could have gotten seriously hurt or possibly hurt another driver on the road. Prior to the incident there was no steering issues what so ever. I took it to a local Ford dealer and the steering rack has failed and needs replacing.

- Rome, NY, USA

problem #26

Sep 142020

Escape

  • miles
I am reporting coolant leaking into my engine causing my engine to lock up at around 75k to 80k miles. Torque converter needing to be replaced at around 80k miles. Torque converter clutch solenoid needing replacement at 80k miles. Rear CV joint axel needing replacement at 85k miles. Control arm replacement at 100k miles. The only recall is the transmission bushing, in which I haven-??t fixed because I can-??t move my vehicle out of my driveway. I have spend almost the same amount on this vehicle repairing it that I owe. The vehicle in a whole needs to be recalled. They are not safe and very costly in the long run. I am not happy with only 2 recalls being reported on this vehicle because I-??ve read over 600 reviews with the same known problems and nothing has been done about it! If ford isn-??t going to fix the known issues then the NHTSA needs to help the consumers and report these issues!

- Paragould, AR, USA

problem #25

Nov 162022

Escape

  • 89,100 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and overheated. Additionally, the steering wheel seized. The message that the engine was overheating and to pull over was displayed. The contact was able to pull over. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered and referred her to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 89,100.

- Lansing, MI, USA

problem #24

Jul 252022

Escape

  • miles
The vehicle steering is very stiff and it is difficult to drive. When moving at lower speeds it is almost impossible to turn the vehicle.

- Monroeville, PA, USA

problem #23

Jul 232022

Escape

  • miles
The -??steering fault failure-?? warning came on after an alarm, stating that it needed immediate repair. Within less than 5 minutes, steering failed. Wheel was practically locked. I was just about to make a U-turn when this occurred. I was lucky not to be on a busy road. Dealer states it can not reproduce problem. For safety-??s sake, the steering rack should be replaced since this is the second time this happened. The last episode occurred when the dealership was changing hands and was not followed up on. Now the dealer called, stating problem is not reproducible. I feel like I-??m driving an unsafe vehicle, with no recourse. The car is still covered with an extended warranty, which is proving worthless.

- Linden, NJ, USA

problem #22

Jun 292022

Escape

  • miles
Rear trail arm bushings are gone on both sides

- Hanover, PA, USA

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