What 2,743 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Escape Phev

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, the steering wheel became firm while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, excessive effort was needed to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a defective power steering rack, and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11724625

Failed part: Electronic Steering Gear Assembly. Starting January 15th 2026 this car began having steering problems, since then it has occurred 2 more times. I immediately determined this car was undrivable because it seemed to be locked but in each situation (1) I was parked along side a curb in (2) a parking lot (3) or in other non-dangerous locations. Had I been driving on a street or highway I am certain I would have crashed. The first time this occurred I stopped turned off the engine, restarted it which unlocked it so I was able to continue safely, in the following 2 incidents this action did not work. On one occasion I stopped at a Ford Dealership & Service Center, described the issue to the agent who stated it sounds like the above assembly. I did not leave it because I was driving my other car. Upon returning home I took it in for service at my local mechanic. He detected code U3000-53 for the Power Steering. I authorized repair. No warning lights appeared on the console displays. Note 2 Invoices attached. My repair invoice is the one totaling $3,471 printed 03/04/2026 but please refer to earlier on printed 02/24/2026 (original quote) because it includes additional details.

NHTSA ODI 11722837

Steering wheel locked up hard to turn wheel Consuming(burning) way more gas than normally would

NHTSA ODI 11676928

Steering Assist Fault. This issue is coming up more often. When the car is started it says this error message on the dash and the steering wheel cannot be turned. We have to turn it off, wait a minute, and restart it. Most of the time this remedies the problem but lately we have had to turn it off and on several times to get it to clear up and the steering working again. This is documented all over the Ford forums. Please open an investigation as this is a serious issue and should not be happening. We have never been able to replicate it for Ford or anyone else. It is very random.

NHTSA ODI 11627619

This is follow up to my complaint that I made last week. The NHTSA issue number is 11624016. I have found numerous similar complaints of 2013 ford escape steering freezing up and malfunctioning at the this link: [XXX] and submit it for NHTSA follow up. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11624564

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 I started my 2013 Ford Escape, put it in reverse and the steering froze and I could not turn the steering wheel. On Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024 I took it to the mechanic and he had the same thing happen and diagnostic indicated thatthe power steering needed replacement. I contacted Ford Motor Company and they stated that my VIN was not included in their recall of the 2013 Ford Escapes. They declined to share with me other similar complaints. I have since learned from a Ford escape owners page that the are many complaints by owners and can't get any help from Ford. I would liked the NHTSA to investigate and report on how may owners are being denied inclusion in the 2013 Ford Escape steering recall.

NHTSA ODI 11624016

The power steering stopped working as driving it. Dashboard message read "steering assist fault service" Unable to steering the vehicle properly which could have caused an accident. No warnings prior to the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11623358

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel made it difficult to turn to the left or the right. The steering assist failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by a local independent mechanic, and it was determined that the electronic steering assist had failed. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by another local independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the electronic steering gear had failed. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ODI 11621323

In reverse, Steering locks up without warning, then the steering assist fault message comes up.

NHTSA ODI 11620479

I get a steer assist fault code, and loose power steering at random points. It is very dangerous and almost crashed twice.

NHTSA ODI 11614690

I have experienced many issues with my vehicle that have been recalled in other vehicles of the same make/model/year but have been denied the assistance in fixing me car and preventing and further damage or risk of my safety due to my VIN not showing any recalls. I do believe that my safety has been disregarded and that my car needs inspection to further show that I should be assisted in getting the recalls identified and fixed to improve my safety and others on the road. The first issue I noticed that was recalled on other 2013 Ford escapes was a recall on the control arm which was caused by the separation of the control arm from corrosion which increased the risk of crash. I had an incident where my car all of the sudden would not return from the right turning position after I heard a clunking noise which caused me to run into a curb. After further investigation it was found that my control arm failed and locked which wouldn't allow me to avoid hitting the curb. I suffered a concussion and had to pay for this to be fixed due to being denied from the recall. Secondly, Ford has issued many recalls on 2013 Ford escape engines due to overheat and cylinder head malfunctions many of them my car has been diagnosed and proven to have. I have pulled codes from my check engine that are direct codes that was recalled about the overheating of the cylinder head causing cracks and leaks into the oil. This code I pulled from my car was P0117 and it was traced to the recall from ford ( 13V583000). Other recalls have been issued by Ford for engine overheating, and my car has been over heating after directly putting coolant into my vehicle and it tends to run out in 1 to 2 days after refilling. My safety and others on the road are at risk from these issues that were not caused by me or other drivers but I am not getting any assistance or anyone willing to look at these recalls and assist in reimbursement or fixing my cars issues. My car needs to be reviewed for the recalls.

NHTSA ODI 11613716

I was driving my vehicle home and as I was turning to the street I live on the power steering went out and I almost lost control of the car. I had to use all my strength to turn the wheel and barely miss an oncoming car in the turn. If my wife would have been behind the wheel Im certain it would have caused an accident. After getting home I searched for what may have caused the loss of power for the steering and I read this has been a reported problem but the NHSTA has not issued a recall. Why? Does someone need to die or be injured before it is investigated and issue a recall?

NHTSA ODI 11613276

Steering wheel locks up intermittently. Never know when the steering wheel may lock up. When able to use steering wheel there is no power assist to help with turning the steering wheel. Hesitant to use car out on the road because I don't know when the power steering may go out and make it very difficult to turn the steering wheel to get off the road to somewhere safe.

NHTSA ODI 11610553

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

NHTSA ODI 11608913

It wouldn't steer it ran hot it stalls everytime I was on hwy system fail to warning system not display not updated

NHTSA ODI 11608726

I started my Escape to come home (about an hour and half from home). I immediately got a message that said Steering Assist - Immediate Service Required . I turned the car off and restarted it and got the same message. I got really nervous, but thought maybe it would steer like a vehicle without power steering - which I have driven long ago. But the wheel would not turn at all. I could only go forward. I turned the car off and went to the bathroom thinking I was going to have to call my husband to have him come and get me and have my Escape towed home. When I got back in the car and started it up, the message was gong and the vehicle was working. I drove home, scared all the way, that it was gong to happen again and the road was very mountainous with uncountable turns. Thank God I made it home.

NHTSA ODI 11606752

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, it was discovered that the power steering had failed, and the steering wheel was very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that steering rack was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.

NHTSA ODI 11603976

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing, the steering wheel became firm. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving in the residence parking lot at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became firm. The vehicle was restarted but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 265,000.

NHTSA ODI 11603175

Several times over the past month upon starting my 2013 Ford Escape the following warning message appears: " power steering assist " fault, and my steering wheel locks. I believe there was a recall on this same issue with other Ford's but I searched the recall list with my VIN number and a recall does not exist for my 2013. This is a severe safety issue and will cost me thousands of dollars to replace.

NHTSA ODI 11598596

Several times in the past month the "power steering assist " fault has appeared when I start the car and I am unable to mover the steering wheel. It locks in place. I have to turn off the car and turn it back on again, trying several times for the steering wheel to unlock. This is a serious issue and I'm afraid it may happen while at a stop light or while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11598598

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the steering wheel became very stiff, and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The contact was able to maneuver the steering wheel using excessive force. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The ABS, brakes, stability control, and air bags warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or local dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 213,000.

NHTSA ODI 11594285

I was driving on.the road the power steering stop working, I almost caused an accident ,I had a warning light power steering fault , dealer said can be an expensive repair

NHTSA ODI 11592890

Was prompted with a steering assist fault while in the middle of driving had couldn’t turn or steer because the wheel locked up I almost crash and had to try and pull over safely. The amount of people with the same experience who have reported about this same problem for this vehicle and there still isn’t a recall is concerning!!!

NHTSA ODI 11591114

When steering the vehicle a loud,strange noise suddenly occurred. It started being hard to steer around corners and especially when turning right. I took it to my mechanic today and he told me the rack and pinion looked like it had blown apart,he could see inside parts that shouldn't be visible.

NHTSA ODI 11588719

When the 2013 Ford Escape was started, a warning message came across the screen stating "steering wheel assist fault" and the steering wheel would not move. Turned the car off and then back on and the message did not appear. Turned the car on this morning and received the same message and the steering wheel would not move. Multiple car owners of this vehicle have complained about this issue and Ford is not doing a recall. It appears this has been an issue with Ford Escapes of many years.

NHTSA ODI 11588513