Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My son and I were leaving a parking lot when suddenly and without warning the power steering went out. I got a warning chime and the wrench light came on with the message "service pwr steering" on the dash. Luckily (I thought) I was near a auto parts place so I slowly drove there. I pulled in, took out the manual and realized that there is no power steering fluid reservoir to check or fill (as would have been my quick solution to the problem). Driving was slow and potentially dangerous due to inability to turn (at speed). The vehicle was initially purchased for my mom, who was 75 at the time. The loss of power steering for her would have been much more serious.driving with manual steering is difficult and muscle building. I had to drive 25 back home on curvy, mountain back roads. Luckily there was no accident/injuries as a result of the power steering failure. …
My family and I were driving home when suddenly and without warning, the power steering went out. I have had no warnings leading up to this event. The wrench icon came on and an error message came on in the dash stating to have the power steering serviced. This was extremely dangerous as it just happened without warning as I was turning off of a major highway at a busy intersection. I have contacted Ford and they are saying that this is not part of a recall. Everything I have read states that this is a common problem specifically in the Hybrid vehicles Ford manufactures. There have been recalls for the same issue for newer model vehicles, but not this one. It is my belief that this issue should be investigated due to the dangerous condition caused by the power steering going completely out in the car as I was turning.
Power steering just went out. No warning until it was out. I was on my way to work driving and the power steering just went out completely. Almost caused an accident when it went out do to how hard it is to steer! It's not hydraulic system. It's all electric assist steering. There are many other people with this same issue. Some mechanics could not find the issue. Including people that have taken it to a Ford dealership. Some people have spent over $1,000 and the issue has came back within a few months. Also this issue has caused some accidents. Ford needs to find the problem and fix it on all cars!
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid. While driving various speeds, the power steering malfunctioned and the wrench light illuminated, which made it extremely hard to maneuver the wheel. The contact mentioned that the vehicle resumed normal operation after turning the engine off for several minutes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 45,000. Updated 09/30/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while parked, the power steering failed. In addition, when the vehicle was being driven, the steering wheel seized and was difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000. VIN was not provided.
Abrupt loss of power steering assist. Electric power assisted steering system failed. Does gives message "service pwr steering" on dashboard, but provides no useful function. Car did not crash at time of failure, but controlling it was very difficult, requiring high physical effort to move steering wheel. Though manufacturer has recalled 2008 model for this problem, 2006 is not on the recall and manufacturer refuses to provide repair.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH and making right turn, the steering wheel seized and the service power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 157,872.
As my seventeen years old daughter was pulling out of the driveway for school she noticed the steering was hard to turn. She took my car to school. I went to try and move the car back up the driveway and could barely turn the wheel myself. Luckily she was at home and not on the road. There is no assisted steering anymore, it just went out.
Went to drive the vehicle one morning to find that the steering wheel was tight and hard to turn. Dash displayed wrench symbol indicating maintenance needed and narrative that power steering needs service.
Electric controlled brakes, & electric controlled power assist steering. Seeing all that is happening to Toyota I thought I had best report my incidents to someone so that a file could be started and history could be made of defective issues with Ford Escape Hybrid mine is a 2006 model and everything started just after the warranty expired. I now have 73,000 miles on the vehicle and it is always the most expensive part of the system that seems to fail according to Ford service writers. I iod some investigation when my brakes failed and it was just a wheel sensor that malfunctioned but it caused a major brake system failure and I was told it was the control module after I checked the cost I told Ford to take the fuel-saving vehicle and put it in a junkyard and then I was told by another service tech that the sensor just needed to be reset an that would be just a little over $300 so I had …
Steering complaints in other Escape Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid, 11% of the model year's 256 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 107,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.