What 1,312 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Ford Escape Gas

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering failed to work as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with EGR valve failure. The contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contacted stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The dealer confirmed that the vehicle was not included the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11588106

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering functionality was inoperable, and the vehicle was difficult to steer. Additionally, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was advised to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11586856

Power steering locks up and makes it almost impossible to turn the wheel. Error diagnostic code is B2278. VIN is not included in the recall.

NHTSA ODI 11584787

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the power steering failed to function as needed. The contact was able to park and restart the vehicle; however, the power steering failed to regain normal functionality, making it difficult to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as having power steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.

NHTSA ODI 11583794

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after driving approximately 10 MPH and then attempting to park the vehicle, the power steering abruptly switched to manual steering mode and became difficult to turn. The contact stated after turning off and restarting the vehicle, the power steering regained normal functionality before the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11583385

This 2011 Ford Escape has a front K-frame (subframe) failure. The area where the front passenger lower control connects to the k-frame has completely rusted through, causing the lower control arm to almost detach from the vehicle at the front bushing. While driving, the steering wheel suddenly became crooked and the car was taken to a shop for an alignment. Upon inspection it was learned that the K-frame has rusted in that one area so badly that the wheel could become detached if the vehicle is driven any further. I see that Ford has this exact issue with 2001-2004 models and did a recall. However, they are not indicating that they are addressing this same problem with newer models.

NHTSA ODI 11583147

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel locked, causing the vehicle to drive straightforwardly towards oncoming traffic. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she stopped the vehicle and reversed. The contact stated that a road construction worker placed traffic cones around the vehicle to prevent a crash. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist motor had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic contacted the dealer for the part and was informed that the part was not available. The contact followed up with the dealer, who informed her that the part had been discontinued. Additionally, the contact stated while the vehicle was being towed to the independent mechanic, the front driver's side lower control arm fractured due to severely rusted bolts. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.

NHTSA ODI 11582312

I took my vehicle to Chenango Ford to have its NYS Inspection done. After a few minutes the representative at the Ford dealership came out to tell me that the Front Subframe had a rusted hole (Rusted Out) and it would cost me $4800.00 to repair the vehicle. I was able to drive the vehicle home and have filed a complaint with Ford Motor Company the representative I spoke with is Case Number: [XXX] Patricia Johnson Phone Number: (866)631-3788 Extension: 79606 At this time I am left with a well maintained vehicle that is no longer usable due to safety issues caused by I believe faulty engineering and vehicle design. As a Disabled person on a limited income I now have lost a major means of transportation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11582440

The power steering keeps locking up while driving on the highway and taking turns. Driving this car when this happens is very stressful and frighting, since you have to turn the car off and move the steering wheel to loosen it up before you can drive again. This has almost cause me to have several accidents. And there is no warning when this is going to happen, it just locks up. Ford has done a recall for the power steering issue for the Ford Escape and for the same year. They are telling me that my car is not listed for this recall. Took the car to Ford Auto Nation in July of 2023 and paid over 3000.00 to have fixed. Not even a week later the steering was locking up more. Took the car back and they have had it ever since. It has been 9 months waiting for this to be fixed. I would like this car to be included in the recall so I can get a refund and have my car fixed by a different dealership. I did a case number [XXX] with Ford for them to just tell me my vin number isn't included in the recall. I would appreciate any assistance you can provide. This issue started back in November of 2022, but since I am in the Coast Guard and would spend 3 to 6 months out at sea it sat on base for most of the time. Had the car shipped from California to Florida in June of 2023 and took to repair shop who said it would be covered over the recall which as I explained I am being informed it isn't. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11580799

The contact's daughter owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was veering around a curb the vehicle temporarily lost power steering functionality. The contact’s daughter was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated; however, 5 audible dings were coming from the system. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic, and it was diagnosed with an intermittent power steering failure. The mechanic informed the contact there was a recall for that failure and to contact the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the recall was not associated with the VIN. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline by the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11576550

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, prompting her to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the power steering torque sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11569344

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated when he entered the vehicle, the vehicle was without power steering functionality. The contact stated that while the vehicle was started, the vehicle was jerking. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) as a possible solution; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 313,000.

NHTSA ODI 11568002

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that there might have been a recall on the vehicle for the transmission. The manufacturer was notified, and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

NHTSA ODI 11567765

Loses power steering. Recall had been fixed way before I bought it.

NHTSA ODI 11567147

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering function became inoperable. The contact stated that while making a turn, the power steering was inoperable, and the vehicle was very difficult to steer. In addition, the contact became aware of a failure with the electrical system. The contact stated the radio and other features did not function as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that after driving the vehicle, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11562663

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contacted stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH and steering the vehicle to the right around a traffic circle, the power steering functionality failed. The contact was able to pullover and stop the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the steering failure was intermittent but was a reoccurring failure. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 206,000.

NHTSA ODI 11562376

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving at approximately 10 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel started spinning abnormally. The contact was unaware if there were any warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the steering sensor and steering column needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11561466

Power steering will go out. Sometimes if I turn the car off and back on it will come back. Very stiff steering when it goes out. Drives really rough when it’s out.

NHTSA ODI 11561559

My 2011 Ford Escape loses power steering while driving. There was recall out for this issues; however, my car did not receive a recall. The symptoms on the recall are the excact symptoms I am experiencing. It appears to be a fault with the Electric Power Steering sytem. Please take into consideration this is a mjor safety concern and I believe this car should have been under the recall procedure. I can be reached at [XXX] . Thank you for your consideration. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11561368

The power steering went out on us several times, but this last time, I was almost in a accident. Also, it has a rubbing/ grinding sound in the front with a shimmy and no matter what,it won't quit.

NHTSA ODI 11560443

My ignition is very messed up I have to push the key in way hard and twist fast to get it to work sometimes. Yesterday it took me 4 hours to get my car to turn over. I have had this problem since I have had the car since 2022 it I guess it’s just getting worse. I took in to a dealership and they didn’t fix that problem they fixed the my key problem instead. The shop I took it to even asked me how do I get my car to turn on and I had to show them. You have to have the key in a certain way to get it to work well now that way isn’t even working what do I do and how can I get help getting this fixed. I am on disability and I think this should be in the recall for the ignition doing this

NHTSA ODI 11559460

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was at an intersection and attempting to make a left turn, the vehicle lost power steering inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's wife turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact's wife was able to drive on a straightforward roadway to his daughter's residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a fee would be charged for a diagnostic test. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11558819

Steering goes out randomly. Steering becomes very stiff and sometimes corrects itself after turning vehicle off and back on.

NHTSA ODI 11557136

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 15-10 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, the power steering assist failed. The contact was able to maneuver the vehicle with excessive force to the side of the roadway. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the power steering assist had failed. The contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) and became aware that the VIN was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11553434

My car is a 2011 Ford Hybrid Escape and is having the same safety recall 14S05 issue for Ford models; 2008-2011 Escape and Mariner Vehicles Electric Power Steering, yet my car was not included within this recall. Problem: without any warning displayed on my car's instrument cluster message center the power steering goes out while driving. The steering wheel becomes very hard to steer, making it a safety issue for me to drive safely on the road. This problem started about a month ago (October 10, 2023} and it occurs intermittently. The problem can occur at any point of driving; from departure of being parked or during driving, the car will become hard to steer. Our Mechanic confirmed this problem through an auto diagnostic given on 11/02/2023 (see Hi-Tech Auto Repair attachment). Additional inspections on my car or the component have not been done by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others.

NHTSA ODI 11553443