Ford Escape Steering Problems
Owners have filed 3,945 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the Ford Escape across 24 model years. The 2008 model year has the most (1,127). The words owners use most often: “steering assist” (20% of reports).
- 3,945steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 112mention a crash
- 51mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $2,100typical repair cost reported by owners
- 23%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Steering assist: mentioned in 772 of 3,945 complaints (20%)
- Torque sensor: mentioned in 348 of 3,945 complaints (9%)
- Difficult turn: mentioned in 280 of 3,945 complaints (7%)
- Wheel became: mentioned in 246 of 3,945 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical steering repair on the Ford Escape at $2,100, and half of them between $1,650 and $2,650.
Based on 306 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2004–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 2,979 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 3,945 complaints, 112 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 51 an injury.
Ford Escape steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Escape | 2 | 8% | — |
| 2022 Escape | 6 | 3% | — |
| 2021 Escape | 4 | 1% | 14,000 |
| 2020 Escape | 18 | 1% | 12,450 |
| 2019 Escape | 16 | 3% | 35,600 |
| 2018 Escape | 32 | 2% | 28,000 |
| 2017 Escape | 49 | 2% | 45,500 |
| 2016 Escape | 73 | 6% | 41,900 |
| 2015 Escape | 81 | 7% | 46,149 |
| 2014 Escape | 151 | 7% | 63,370 |
| 2013 Escape | 302 | 11% | 81,280 |
| 2012 Escape | 139 | 23% | 100,000 |
| 2011 Escape | 411 | 31% | 110,000 |
| 2010 Escape | 423 | 20% | 114,000 |
| 2009 Escape | 828 | 49% | 121,000 |
| 2008 Escape | 1,127 | 57% | 116,000 |
| 2007 Escape | 15 | 6% | 45,500 |
| 2006 Escape | 20 | 4% | 78,816 |
| 2005 Escape | 49 | 4% | 114,500 |
| 2004 Escape | 26 | 5% | 101,000 |
| 2003 Escape | 44 | 8% | 103,204 |
| 2002 Escape | 70 | 7% | 87,986 |
| 2001 Escape | 58 | 6% | 77,700 |
| 2000 Escape | 1 | 20% | 123,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Steering:electric power assist system
Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.
Risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Model years: 2001
Problem: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. These vehicles may have a mis-assembled or incorrectly manufactured nut that attaches the steering wheel assembly to the steering column. The nut could be upside down in the steering wheel assembly, which could overstress the steering column shaft when the nut is tightened. In addition, some of the nuts may have been cracked during manufacture resulting in the nut fracturing when it is tightened during vehicle assembly.
Risk: Either of these conditions can lead to the steering wheel becoming loose or separating from the steering column, resulting in loss of steering control.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering wheel retention armature and, if necessary, the steering column to correct this condition.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the power steering assist became inoperable, requiring greater effort to steer the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 169,781.
I am requesting a serious investigation into potentially life-threatening steering, braking, and stability-control interventions in modern vehicles. I have experienced unexpected steering forces, directional changes, shaking, and behavior consistent with unintended wheel-specific braking across…
My 2011 ford escape is experiencing symptoms of the recall of the faulty Electric Power Steering (EPS) torque sensor. Its not often, but when I turn on the car I wont have power steering but when I turn it off and turn it back on the power steering works. Is there anyway you could open/put a recall…
When attempting to turn, the steering wheel locked up, loosened, locked up, loosened, locked up, loosened
The power steering failed unexpectedly. I am not sure what the problem is but there is fluid all over the wheel well. I see that the was a recal on the power steering. How can I find out why my car was not included?
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Escapes have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 3,945 owner complaints about steering for the Ford Escape. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Escape steering?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the Ford Escape?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,100 (half paid between $1,650 and $2,650), from 306 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about steering problems on the Ford Escape?
The most frequent phrase is “steering assist”, in 772 of 3,945 complaints, followed by “torque sensor” (348).
Other Ford Escape problems
- Engine problems (7,208)
- Power Train problems (4,655)
- Electrical System problems (2,525)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (2,331)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (2,298)
- Structure problems (2,296)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (1,834)
- Suspension problems (1,145)
See all Ford Escape problems.