While driving my steering wheel locks up and it is hard to turn. If I turn my car off then back on it start working right then locks right back

- New Era, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and descending a steep grade, the contact attempted to turn the steering wheel to the right however, the steering wheel failed to turn or respond as needed. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stopped and turned off and restarted the vehicle and was able to regain power steering functionality. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The contact had called the manufacturer and was advised that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

- Jackson, KY, USA

Yesterday, When coming to a stop at a Hwy intersection, the steering wheel suddenly would not turn. I was able to get the car to a parking lot. Turned the vehicle off. Approximately 15 minutes later I started the car to move it to a safer location and the steering wheel moved freely. This same steering problem happened today when backing out of my driveway. I pulled back in and turned the vehicle off. I have not tried to drive it again. Haven-??t taken it to the dealership yet. You have to make an appointment. One is not available within the next few days. It is Thursday, I-??ll call them back on Monday. So the reason for the loss of steering is unknown at this time.

- Cleveland , GA, USA

The contact's friend owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. Despite the failure, the contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the steering column, including the rack and pinion, needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Saint Bernard, LA, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist function failed to operate as needed with the "Power Steering Assist Fault" message displayed on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that the steering wheel was shaking abnormally while in park(P). The contact stated that the vehicle had previously been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact attempted to reach out to the dealer that had performed the recall repair; however, all the calls went to voicemail. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

- Florissant, MO, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 10 MPH and pulling into a parking lot, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact was able to continue driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed there were no open recalls on the VIN for the failure. The dealer informed the contact that the rack and pinion were replaced, and a software update was performed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

- Danville, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the crankshaft position sensor signal experienced a loss of power, resulting in a loss of power steering assist. 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 and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 173,000.

- Algonquin, IL, USA

There was a recall (#14S05 from Ford) that covered Electric Power Steering Failure in Escapes and Mariners from 2008 - September of 2011 made in the Kansas City Assembly plant. This vehicle mentioned is having the same issue, but is not included on the recall list? We diagnosed the problem with a Snap-On computer here at M&D Auto & Trailer Sales & Service, LLC. The customer complained that the steering wheel and column would shake and then feel like there was no power steering making it almost impossible to drive. No inspection other than at M&D Auto. No lights came on but our Snap-On scanner produced DTC B2278 and told us about the afore mentioned recall.

- Tunkhannock, PA, USA

I was merging onto I-91 when the steering went out in my Escape. The ramp was at a right angle and this is when I felt the tightness. There was no alert activated on the dashboard and I was not sure what happened. I drove for about 2 miles toward work and exited the highway. It was scary because I was afraid I would not be able to make the turn off to avoid the left side barrier of the bridge on my exit turn. I was unable to park at work and simply drove to a nearby mechanic. I used my flashers to make wide turns. I left the vehicle at Rick-??s Automotive. They called a few hours later and confirmed a bad torque sensor in the vehicle.

- Hamden, CT, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff, and difficult to turn to the left or the right. The contact was able to veer into a parking lot for an errand and upon restarting the vehicle the vehicle resumed normal function. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

- Detroit, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 10 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle regained power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 144,454.

- Fleetwood, PA, USA

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

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

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

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

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

- Chicago, IL, USA

Intermittent loss of power steering.

- Harrisonburg, VA, USA

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

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

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