I received the "Steering Assist Fault Service Required" message as I was parking. Because the wheels became stiff I had to wait an hour to drive again. At the same time I received the 911 assist error. This was not the first time that it happened to me. Previously I took the car to the dealership and they did not fix it.

- Flushing, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the power steering failed which made the vehicle harder to steer. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (Steering). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 50,096.

- Houston, TX, USA

I was in a drive thru at mcdonald's and I turned my wheel to pull around and my steering wheel locked up and has been doing this on and off when I drive.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

Steering failed while driving. It became very difficult to turn the steering wheel while driving. Made loud grinding sound and very difficult to move the wheel. As the vehicle became undrivable, it had to be towed.

- Cresco, PA, USA

My wife was returning from the store when the steering got stiff. As if the power-assisted steering had failed. She managed to get it home since she was on our road and only had to turn into our driveway. I took it out and the steering was ok for about a mile. Then it did the same for me. Ford has had this issue with several of their vehicles for some time now. Many have been recalled and this one should be. I have read many complaints and reviews about this issue. I believe this is a serious issue. If the steering fails at an inopportune time people could be killed.

- Ooltewah, TN, USA

Went to leave my house for work and started my Escape and had no steering. The steering wheel was frozen stuck. I have never had this problem as I bought the car brand new. Had it towed to a mechanic and was told there are tons of complaints about frozen steering wheels in the Escapes and there is no fix for the problem. Only thing I can do is start the car and let it warm up for an hour, or until the steering box gets to 42 degrees and the steering wheel will unfreeze. Then while driving down the road the steering wheel tries to lock up and not turn. This is a huge safety issue that needs to be addressed and corrected before lives are lost!!!!!!!!!

- Abilene, TX, USA

This vehicle has an electric power steering that turns off while driving making it impossible to steer properly. To get the steering to work again you need to get to the side of the highway (which is not easy), make a complete stop, turn the ignition off and then back on to get the steering to work safely again. This has happened over 100 times, including five times this week. In looking at factory recalls, many 1000S of Ford, of many years and models have had factory recalls for this same issue. But, not this specific VIN number. I need to get a factory recall which includes this VIN number before their is a fatal accident involving this car.

- Sherman Oaks, CA, USA

Power steering not working and power steering assist failure light appeared. Almost impossible to control steering.

- Grafton, OH, USA

2016 Ford Escape w/only 64K miles. I drove to pick up my daughter in Chicago about 2.5 hours away from home with absolutely no signs of problems. On the way back, I stopped at the gas station, on the oasis, and shut off the vehicle. When I started it back up (just a few minutes later) the warning popped up on the dash and it became nearly impossible to steer the vehicle... drove straight (literally) to the Ford service dept & $2030 later (cuz of course warranty is depleted), I can steer again. I seriously don't understand why I have to pay such a hefty charge just because Ford motor didn't learn from their 'power steering assist' recall back in 2014 and actually correct the problem.

- Whitewater, WI, USA

Car started normally when leaving the home with autostarter. Drove to a gas station, parked, went inside, came back out and the car prompted with a "power steering assist fault" error. Attempted to drive, no power steering. Turned off car, restarted and issue remained. Upon getting the car to a mechanic, reported full power steering failure requiring full replacement of power steering rack and pin.

- Baxter, MN, USA

Steering made creaking noise. When I took it into the dealership it was determined that the brac and pinion steering had failed. The vehicle has 46,000 miles. There have been nearly 200 reports of this failure.

- Holly Springs, NC, USA

Was driving 55mph in corner my 2016 Ford Escape and steering assist failure came up on dash and I lost all power steering to the car and almost causing an accident

- Statesboro, GA, USA

Difficulty with turning steering wheel. Clanky noise when turning. Checked and several people who drive 2016 Ford Escapes are having or have had the same problem even worse. Some people completely not able to turn the wheel. Had this happen to me before with this Escape and had issue repaired but seems that there should be a recall for this issue because thousands of people have had this issue and it is quite dangerous especially while driving on the highway

- Southfield, MI, USA

Steering assist failure warning light came on when we were driving down the road. Tried resetting it like the manual said but it only worked for a little while and came on again. It is very hard to steer

- Great Falls, MT, USA

Power steering assist fault. On July 25, I started my 2016 Ford Escape to back out of my driveway. I was unable to turn the steering wheel to manuever out of the driveway. I turned off ignition, placed in park to exit vehicle to inspect tires, as I thought I perhaps had a flat tire, affecting the steering. I then restarted the car and on the dash information received a message to the effect of "power steering assist fault". I checked the owner manual and it said this was a fault of the steering and to take car for service. Since the car was unmaneuverable and unable to be driven, I called for tow service to take car to dealer. Dealer inspected vehicle and informed me it would be a $2200 repair, but that they would call Ford to see what could be done. They then came back with a $1200 quote for repair. Since I needed vehicle, I agreed and the final invoice was $1000. I asked service manager if this was involving a safety recall with Ford and she said at this time it was not, but to hold on to my receipts in case Ford made one. Ford/Lincoln has had recalls on other vehicles in their fleet from other years, so they should be aware this is a safety problem and should issue a recall on these vehicles.

- Merced, CA, USA

My wife was driving on a highway at 70 mph in my 2016 Ford Escape. Suddenly the car flashed "steering assist fault" and immediately lost power steering. The steerimg wheel felt like it locked, and became super difficult to drive. We came very close to having a major accident, as the vehicle was not responding normally. The car had been driving completely well before this. It has just 60,000 miles on it. We are waiting on the mechanic's call, but he initially thought it was a faulty sensor as the visual inspection didn't turn up any problems. What a dangerous thing to happen with no warning in a 2 and a half year old car.

- Columbus, OH, USA

Power steering fault message popped up while driving the vehicle on the interstate and we lost power steering. We were forced to take the car to a shop 10 hours away from our home to be replaced. We will be making the 20 hour round trip to get the vehicle next week as we has to rent a vehicle to get home.

- Sanger, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. Every time the vehicle's wheels were turned, a grinding noise was heard and the steering ability became difficult. The vehicle was taken to koons Ford/Lincoln (2540 riva rd, annapolis, md 21401) where it was diagnosed that the steering column was damaged and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,109.

- Millersville, MD, USA

Steering assist fault - service required message showed up during a road trip approx 325 miles away from home on startup after a rest stop. Steering was almost impossible. Fault cleared after restarting car several times, and steering performance was back to normal. Continued home, while stopping the car for fuel once and turning off and back on the engine, with no fault. Upon arriving home, fault appeared next time on vehicle startup. Fault does not clear anymore. Steering is very difficult.

- Wyoming, MI, USA

When starting the car an alert popped up stating "steering assist failure". the steering was virtually impossible to move. Turning off the ignition and restarting the message cleared. The car has only 27100 miles. Ford states that the steering gear has failed. If this had happened while moving it could have been serious

- Boulder, CO, USA