2018 Ford Escape steering problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 21, 2026FLDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering

   My husband bought a 2018 Ford Escape and he took it back to the dealer because it was speeding up when he did not touch the gas and it was veering off the road. I put the vin# in the website and it pulled up 4 past recalls one of which fits the description of what he experienced.

   NHTSA complaint #11751861 · source
2. Filed Jun 28, 2026NVOther / UnknownSteeringWheels & Tires

   2018 Ford Escape. I have had the car since 12/2024. Less then 22000 miles in it. In this time I have had 4 alignment done. First one was 2 day after getting car. I pulls to the left. Second was 2 weeks after the first one. Then drove my car with a trailer on it to [XXX]. I made it [XXX] and dropped my load in a storage because I could not control the car. I was so scared. What should have taken maybe 2 days took a week. That was a nightmare trip. Ok so now in [XXX] took it…

   NHTSA complaint #11747057 · source
3. Filed Apr 8, 202515,108 miMISteering

   The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the message "Steering Assist Fault - Seek Service" was displayed , and the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact's husband assisted the contact in driving the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed that the electric steering rack had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was…

   NHTSA complaint #11653518 · source
4. Filed Mar 25, 202569,470 miVATowedSteering

   The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The contact stated that the steering wheel was turned to the left; however, the steering wheel independently turned to the right. The contact stated that the steering wheel had seized. In addition, the contact stated that two days later several warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however,…

   NHTSA complaint #11650601 · source
5. Filed Mar 6, 2025MASteering

   While traveling from Massachusetts to South Carolina we stopped at a rest area for a break. when we re-started the S.U.V., a message was displayed that the power steering assist was no longer working. No warning and it was running fine before stop. Because the same thing happened on my other Ford Edge, I knew what I needed to do. We had to have the car towed off highway to a local Ford dealership, were they confirmed that the rack and pinion steering system FAILED. It took…

   NHTSA complaint #11646682 · source
6. Filed Jan 21, 2025117,000 miPASteering

   The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact stated that the steering wheel seized, with the steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the…

   NHTSA complaint #11637406 · source
7. Filed Jan 17, 2025MOSteering

   The steering of the vehicle completely went out with NO warning lights/no warning whatsoever. If this had happened at speed or a sharp turn, this would have likely resulted in a collision. There are only 50,000 miles on the vehicle, so there is no way that the steering should completely go out. I see there are other vehicles that this has occurred with as well in this model/year; I feel that this should be a safety recall.

   NHTSA complaint #11636478 · source
8. Filed Aug 8, 2024PASteering

   This is the third time I have had to get this fixed!! But this time my power steering completely locked up. It's electric power steering so it's not cheap and I am still paying on the vehicle also!! I have driven Fords all my life but I am just about done

   NHTSA complaint #11607421 · source
9. Filed Jul 29, 2024NHSteering

   3 hours into a 4 hour drive, stopped for rest room. Got back into vehicle, started backing up and couldn't turn the wheel - almost hit a CAR. I had just spent the last 3 hours on an interstate, thankfully I didn't happen a moment sooner. Steering fault illuminated on dash - towed 100+ miles to local garage - FAILED PART IS STEERING RACK MODULATOR AT A COST OF $3200 AND ALMOST 2 LIVES. AUTO ONLY HAS 65,000 miles/2018

   NHTSA complaint #11605178 · source
10. Filed Feb 8, 2024111,053 miPASteering

    The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40-50 MPH, the "Power Steering Loss" message was displayed. The contact pulled to the side of the road until someone associated with the contact could drive the vehicle. The steering had become difficult to maneuver and required an excessive amount of strength to drive the vehicle. The failure recurred after the first repair was completed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that…

    NHTSA complaint #11570808 · source
11. Filed Apr 19, 202353,086 miILCrash1 injuredTowedSteering

    The contact owned a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 12 MPH while approaching a speed bump, the vehicle lost the power steering and the hill assist warning light illuminated. The steering wheel became stiff causing the vehicle to flip completely over onto the roof of the vehicle. The contact stuffed minor injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a towed lot and was deemed totally lost. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was…

    NHTSA complaint #11517871 · source
12. Filed Feb 28, 2023INSteering

    Wife was driving our 2018 Ford Escape out of a parking lot. Steering wheel locked up and vehicle displayed a “Steering Assist Fault” warning light. She was unable to steer vehicle, which nearly caused accident before she was able to stop vehicle.

    NHTSA complaint #11509597 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology