Steering complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I was driving on the NYS Thruway with lane assist and cruise control enabled. This is after already having an issue with my computer where the car a couple of months ago just stopped in the middle of the road. This morning I was driving on the Thruway when suddenly, if felt like the collision impact system was engaged and the car shifted to the right slamming into the car next to me. No airbag deployment but extensive damage and collision system was completely engaged. The car issued no warnings or other issues afterwards. NYSPD arrived and completed report. Another car was involved. Only side damage.
I purchased the vehicle brand new in February 2020 and it has had persistent battery/electrical issues. In May 2022 the battery was malfunctioning and I was driving it to the dealership to be examined and it completely died while I was driving. The electrical system failed while I was driving. I have had the battery replaced at least 3 times in less than 4 years and, despite the battery being replaced less than a year ago, it needs to be replaced again. Ford is not willing to cover the replacement battery despite it being less than 1 year ago. Ford is not standing by their vehicle and refusing to accommodate the repeated battery issues, including catastrophic failure while driving.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while 65 MPH on the freeway, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the power steering assist failed to operate. The contact stated that after turning off and restarting the vehicle, the power steering functionality returned; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the steering control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacture was made of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was transferred by the manufacturer to NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality. The contact stated that he was able to safely pull to the side of the road and restart the vehicle. Once the vehicle was restarted the vehicle drove normally for approximately 30 minutes before the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was notified of NHTSA campaign 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was contacted and the contact was informed that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was 120,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that she was able to continue driving by using physical strength to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked at the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer and to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started and was still in park(P) in the driveway, the steering wheel failed to turn and seemed to be seized. The contact stated that the "Power Steering Assist" warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) recall repair had been completed in 2014 and that he had to pay to for Electronic Power Steering Assist repair out of pocket. The contact stated that he was the second owner of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 207,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 8 MPH, the steering wheel failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The steering wheel ceased to function; however, the contact was able to make a full turn of the steering wheel, and the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact was able to regain power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to two separate independent mechanics and the contact was informed that the steering wheel module needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact had the same failure three times within a month. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where the steering module was reprogrammed; however, the dealer was unable to provide a cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. …
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while stopped, the steering wheel started shaking abnormally. The vehicle then lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the power steering control module was reset; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the vehicle was experiencing similar failure as in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) and advised the contact to reach out to the dealer. The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer also stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 270,000.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of power steering while driving
On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05).
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Escape Hybrid years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (110), 2009 (70), 2006 (28), 2005 (21) and 2010 (18) model years. Steering complaints make up 25% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Ford Escape Hybrid steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for any Ford Escape Hybrid model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Ford Escape Hybrid steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 109,000 miles; 14% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the electric power assist system (3 mentions), followed by the column (2).
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.