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

The steering shaft torque sensor unexpectedly malfunctioned while driving resulting in a loss of steering. There was no indication that this would happen, no check engine light was on, and no symptoms prior to the incident. The vehicle is undrivable due to a lack of steering and was diagnosed by an independent garage. The steering shaft torque sensor is recalled for other 2010 Ford Escapes, but not this one.

NHTSA ODI 11739089

I was traveling at 20 mph and slowed to make a turn when the steering wheel took two hands to turn the wheel ... I knew it was a power steering issue. Happend all of a sudden with no warning and I was stuck in the middle of an intersection trying to turn around to go back home

NHTSA ODI 11734832

For months my vehicle has had intermittent loss of power steering making it nearly impossible to control direction. On Jan. 29, 2026, I ran into the back of a vehicle that stopped suddenly and due to sudden power steering loss, I wasn't able to swerve and avoid collision. I was issued an infraction for this incident and had to file an insurance claim to repair the front end damage to my vehicle. I brought my vehicle to an independent repair shop who confirmed the issue and said the entire steering column would need to be replaced and would cost approximately $3,000.00. I was also notified that Ford issued Safety Recall Campaign/NHTSA #14S05/14V284 for this exact issue. I contacted the Ford dealership where I purchased my vehicle and they said my VIN is not included in that recall. It seems too coincidental that my 2011 Ford Escape is experiencing the very same issue that prompted a safety recall for thousands of 2008-2010 Ford Escapes but not mine. I contacted Ford customer service and was issued escalation Case #CXH-07666011-H9L5H3.

NHTSA ODI 11731331

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, while starting the vehicle the contact became aware that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated as intended. Neither an independent mechanic nor a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 161,420.

NHTSA ODI 11729644

Power steering went out all of a sudden

NHTSA ODI 11725981

The contact had performed service on the 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the owner had experienced unintended loss of power steering functionality, making the steering wheel difficult to turn in either direction. The failure was intermittent. During the failure, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, while the vehicle was idling, the steering wheel was turning from right to left independently. While servicing the vehicle, the DTC: B2278 was displayed. The contact was informed that the steering torque sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failures. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (STEERING). The failure mileage was 199,003.

NHTSA ODI 11724177

Torque sensor. No warning. Has not been looked at by a mechanic. Was working fine when I parked it. Came back out and it was steering funny and making a grinding sound

NHTSA ODI 11721082

I purchased this vehicle on 10/16/25 through Affordable Auto Sales 692 Pleasant St Fall River Ma as it is a buy here pay here. It had 97,626 miles on it day of purchase. I noticed trouble with power steering as it is electric and kept locking up and asked several times to fix it. It didn't get repaired until the week before Christmas. On 1-10-26, took it for first oil change and it had 100,837 miles in total I put 3,211 miles on it. The mechanic called me into the garage and showed me 3 things that were critically wrong with the vehicle. It had severe rot in front and rear, mostly rear, the transmission had a significant leak, and the power steering was still not properly fixed. The mechanic informed me that the dealership had not done their safety inspection and this was deemed an unsafe vehicle and I should not be driving it. I brought it to the attention of Affordable Auto sales and they are accusing me of the damage. The owner Lucy Sousa also changed the mileage on the paperwork saying I put 20,000 on itinerary 2 months time. She changed it to 82,294 which is false. I have my inspection report to show accurate mileage. I no longer have this vehicle. I returned it to them. I bought another vehicle from a different dealer.

NHTSA ODI 11716452

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel failed to operate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was extremely tight, and excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a defective steering column that needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) and associated the failure with the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

NHTSA ODI 11714206

My power steering has failed five times in the last year. Yes, my vehicle is available for inspection. The power steering went out on me while I was driving, making it very hard to turn my steering wheel. Took it to a Ford dealer last year. They said they couldn't find anything wrong with it. It is very unpredictable when this will happen. It doesn't happen every time I drive it. Don't feel very safe driving!

NHTSA ODI 11702115

i have a cliking nose in my steering wheel when i am driving

NHTSA ODI 11698963

My young daughter lost control of our 2011 FORD HYBRID ESCAPE vehicle with 94770 miles after starting the vehicle on moving off. She crashed into the sidewalk to avoid hitting pedestrians. ALL ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE was lost. Car was taken to AutoNation Ford, St Petersburg, FL. Service personnel stated and provided documentation showing that there was no recall for my daughter's vehicle VIN. However, there were recalls for this similar problem on other Ford vehicles and FORD HYBRID ESCAPE vehicles like hers. Please see attachment. FORD SAYS THIS 2011 VEHICLE IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL FOR THIS DANGEROUS HAZARD AND REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI 11693094

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel intermittently failed to turn in the intended direction. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. The steering wheel became extremely tight, and excessive force was needed to drive the vehicle while avoiding crashing into another vehicle. The contact called three dealers and was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The contact ordered a power steering torque rotation sensor and planned for an independent mechanic to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

NHTSA ODI 11688091

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 40 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that several messages were displayed. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V632000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was 251,000.

NHTSA ODI 11675048

Subject: Urgent Safety Concern – Request for Recall Coverage Assistance To Whom It May Concern, I am writing with a heartfelt and urgent request regarding a serious malfunction in my vehicle's steering column, which has made it extremely difficult to turn. This presents a clear and dangerous safety hazard, particularly on expressways and in everyday driving when the ability to maneuver quickly is critical. My safety, my child’s safety, and the safety of others has been compromised due to this issue. The vehicle has been thoroughly inspected by a mechanic, and there were no warning lights or prior indicators of an impending failure. I have learned that there is an active recall related to this exact issue for vehicles manufactured between 2008 and September 2011. My vehicle was manufactured in January 2011, just a few months before the cut-off. To be denied assistance over a matter of months feels deeply unfair and disheartening — especially when the failure matches the recall description exactly. I am a single parent who depends on this vehicle for work and daily life. The financial burden of repairs right now is overwhelming, especially given the rising cost of living, inflation, and how expensive everything has become. I’m simply trying to keep my family safe and get to work. I am respectfully and desperately asking you to reconsider support and allow my vehicle to be included in this recall, as it clearly qualifies based on the issue — if not technically by the cut-off date. Please don’t let a few months be the reason help is denied when it’s needed most. Here is my vehicle information: VIN: [XXX] Make/Model/Year: 2011 Ford Escape Manufacture Date: January 21, 2011 Thank you for your time, understanding, and attention to this matter. I truly hope you can see the urgency and importance of this request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11673309

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. In addition, the contact stated that the steering wheel became extremely tight. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed power steering module. The contact was advised that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) as a possible cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11671779

My car is experiencing the issue in this recall for powerstearing but my vin is not associated, my ford year make mosel and issue is called out in the recall but my 2011 escape vin does not pull up the recall. I lose power steering and its not safe to drive. 14v284000 14so5 I called ford customer service and my vehicle is in the ford dealership, they are refusing to support me.

NHTSA ODI 11665507

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH the power steering function became inoperable. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle several times to regain power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the power steering assist sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed there was no recall coverage on the VIN for the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 195,000.

NHTSA ODI 11664261

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel intermittently seized. The contact removed the key from the ignition, then re-inserted and pushed the key into the ignition to correct the failure. The contact stated that the failure occurred daily. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

NHTSA ODI 11664274

While driving, the power steering assist intermittently fails without warning. This makes steering very difficult and creates a serious safety hazard, especially at low speeds or during turns. The issue can be temporarily resolved by turning the engine off and restarting the vehicle, but it recurs unpredictably. There are no warning lights or error messages displayed on the dashboard. This is a known issue on this model year and may relate to a defective EPS (electric power steering) module. Please investigate.

NHTSA ODI 11658355

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to steer in the intended direction, nearly causing a head-on collision. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed of an unknown recall related to the failure and was advised that the VIN was not included in the unknown recall. The contact stated that the dealer declined to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

NHTSA ODI 11654062

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 15-20 MPH and taking the grandchildren to school, the driver heard an abnormal popping sound coming from under the steering wheel and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was turned off and restarted; however, the failure persisted. The contact met his wife and assisted in driving the vehicle to the residence. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle the following morning, the power steering was functional. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he was a retired independent master mechanic, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair could not be covered because the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 210,000.

NHTSA ODI 11653836

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized intermittently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that on another occasion, while the vehicle was parked, the sensor failure caused the steering wheel to move back and forth with a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with torque sensor failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.

NHTSA ODI 11649283

While driving my steering wheel locks up and it is hard to turn. If I turn my car off then back on it start working right then locks right back up

NHTSA ODI 11649130

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and descending a steep grade, the contact attempted to turn the steering wheel to the right however, the steering wheel failed to turn or respond as needed. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stopped and turned off and restarted the vehicle and was able to regain power steering functionality. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The contact had called the manufacturer and was advised that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

NHTSA ODI 11646687