Electric power steering failure while making a right turn at a city intersection that nearly resulted in a head on collision. Failure alert appeared on the dash so I had it towed home. When starting it up to pull into the garage, the power steering suddenly returned. Ford issued a recall for the exact same issue for 2013 Explorer (#14S05), but will not cover the Escape.

- Kentfield, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While the vehicle was operated on the highway, the steering column seized. In addition, the liftgate opened independently. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and driven to the contact's residence. The steering assist fault warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to autonation Ford miami (16800 nw 57th ave, hialeah, fl) where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering and rack and pinion were defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: Cas 13322662. No further assistance was offered. The manufacturer referred the contact to NHTSA due to them stating that the federal Agency was responsible for adding recalls. The failure mileage was approximatley 63,606.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the power steering failed and the steering wheel was extremely difficult to turn. The vehicle was inspected first by (austin Ford Lincoln, 2701 w oakland ave, austin, mn 55912, (507) 437-3291). Months later after refueling the vehicle, the power steering failed again. The contact was unable to steer the vehicle and it was towed to sykora family Ford Inc (519 S george kacir dr, West, tx 76691, (254) 826-3673). The manufacturer had a tsb, but there was no manufacturer recall to provide a solution. The approximate failure mileage was 51,159.

- Working, SD, USA

Can't steer car at all. Was moving on interstate steering became hard to move, mechanic says U3000. This problem is all over google. But Ford says there no recall. Could have kill me. Thank you [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Jeffersonville, IN, USA

The power steering failed completely, I could hardly turn the wheel. Had to park and abandon the car. The vehicle was in motion, turning, in a parking lot.

- Dixon, CA, USA

Power steering. Failure on start up twice in two months and once while driving. Had to pull over and restart car and then it worked again. This is a dangerous situation. Had scheduled to take in while they also recall my door latch. Sounds like many Ford owners have the same issue. After spending $2500 on a Fiat repair for car less than 45K miles and now this car with less than 60K, I am never buying american cars again. Garbage.

- Harvest, AL, USA

My car has ran a 100% since the day I bought it. I went to go move my car after I cut my grass and instantly my power steering sensor went off as soon as I started my car stating that it required service due to it not working. Just like that. No earlier warnings, no malfunctions prior to this incident, nothing. I am a mother of 4 daughters and thankfully I was just trying to reposition my vehicle in my yard vs. Driving down the road or else it could have caused severe bodily harm to us or even worse, it could have caused a major accident that could have resulted in death. I called the Ford dealership and they stated even with so many complaints on this particular model, make, and year having this exact problem, this is not a recall yet. I researched it myself and found out that the 2013 Ford Fusion also has this problem, but there is currently an active recall for the Fusion, but not the Escape. I am confused on this. Are they waiting on a death toll to rise due to Ford's malfunctioning part and a lawsuit before they decide that this is a real serious issue or is it because of the lack of concern for Ford customers and families they had when they decided to use this poorly planned electrical design that is continuously malfunctioning? or maybe its because they know that this is a big issue and charging customers over $1700 to fix this poorly planned product that is going to cost someone their lives was going to make their service department revenue sky rise with this power steering problem being high in demand. I don't understand why one model of Ford with the same year is on recall for this, but the other model with the exact same set up and year is not. I am a single mother of 4 daughters that is still paying on this $19,000 vehicle that is now parked in my yard because it is too expensive to fix. Thanks Ford!!!

- Kingsland, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving in reverse at an unknown speed, the steering failed and the steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (banner Ford, located at 1943 N causeway blvd mandeville, la 70471) where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The parts needed to be ordered and would not arrive until August 29th. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 98,381. Updated 10/26/17

- Folsom, LA, USA

Parked the vehicle one evening. An hour later, started it up, no epas. No warning, just quit. Drives like a log truck. There is a recall for 2008-2011 models for this problem. Hoping this gets expanded to cover 2013. Cost ~$1500.

- Stem, NC, USA

Steering wheel locks and cannot steer the vehicle. Tod date, this has happened while stationary. I pray it does not happen while moving. Diagnosed as steering rack issue at a cost of $1,000 plus labor.

- Westtown, NY, USA

While driving Ford 2013 Escape, loss complete power steering control, thankfully at a low speed. Car did become completely undriveable. No noise or warnings lights came on until after power steering was loss. Luckily was able to stop and restart car but did not resolve situation. Contacted Ford company of problem and was not able to resolve the issue. Ford refused to take responsibility or cover cost of their own failed product. Cost of repair quoted at $1500 on a car with only 47,000 miles.

- Gainesville, GA, USA

The power steering intermittantly goes out and the vehicle becomes hard almost impossible to control. My 18 year old daughter was driving the car and went to make a right hand turn and was almost off of the opposite side of the road before she was able to complete the turn because the power steering failed

- Dallas, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and seized. Also, the power steering assistant fault indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline and did not offer any further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. Upon starting the vehicle, there was no power steering ability until several minutes later after the vehicle was warmed up. The failure occurred during the winter months. The contact stated that the failure recurred and the power steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to paducah Ford Lincoln, but was not diagnosed due to the diagnostic fee. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA since there was no recall. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Princeton, KY, USA

"steering assist fault" error occurred while vehicle was in motion. Complete loss of electronic power steering. Pulled the car over, restarted the vehicle, problem did not return. I took the vehicle to the dealership as a precaution and they reproduced the issue. They tell me that something called electronic steering gear, part no. Cv6Z3504age must be replaced. The car is not yet 4 years old.

- Arlington, VA, USA

Electric steering gear streeing failed. Over heated and had to be replaced. Possible fire issue. Unable to stree car.

- Red Bluff, CA, USA

Power steering control module failed, car was in a parking lot not moving. Vehicle refused to start, on a 4.5 year old car with approximately 47K miles. This will require a replacement costing $2,200 including parts, labor and tax.

- Plano, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving various speeds, the hill start assist not available, engine service, and engine fault message warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the vehicle stalled, the rpms decreased, and the power steering failed. The driver was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a computer glitch. The computer was reset, but the failure recurred. The dealer diagnosed that the vehicle overheated and the computer was reset again. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer again where it was diagnosed with too many communication codes. The vehicle was not repaired and was taken to a different dealer. The diagnosis was unknown. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The contact was able to file a case with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

- Chesterfield, MO, USA

Upon vehicle startup discovered power steering assist had failed- unable to drive vehicle safely. Managed to wrestle the steering to backup car from street into driveway. Dealer says control module and steering gear in a sealed unit- must replace entire unit at cost of about $1800.

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled, the steering wheel locked, and the vehicle was unable to shift into neutral. The engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle had a gasket issue. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer again where it was diagnosed that it needed coolant. The failure recurred and the vehicle was towed to the dealer again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Elkton, ME, USA