general problems of the 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid

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 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced a loss of electric power steering assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14v284000 (steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

When steering car making tight turns causes the steering wheel to lock up and makes it extremely difficult to turn.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle experienced electrical power steering failure. The check engine and brake system light warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring for several years. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the torque sensor and the steering column assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

After driving less than a mile from home on a cold day, I was stopped to turn left with the steering wheel turned hard left. The steering wheel forced itself back right with significant force. I couldn't turn it back right so I turned off the ignition. When I turned it back on the steering behaved normally. I took it to a mechanic who performed an inspection and checked the computer codes. That report is attached. The report states that the fault codes indicated a problem with the torque/angle sensor and steering control module. This problem, should it occur while moving could cause an accident and possible death. Since my VIN number is not covered by the existing recalls for this type of problem, I would like the NHTSA to investigate and add my VIN to the recall 14v284000 or 14s05.

Steering wheel doesnt move.

This complaint is closely related to a 2014 recall relative to electric power steering assist on Ford escape and Mercury mariner vehicles, however Ford states my VIN was not covered under the recall. Ref: NHTSA action#dp15001, NHTSA 14v-284, Ford 14s05. Problem: on a nearly-daily basis, the power steering assist (which is all-electric on this vehicle) "drops out" briefly - typically for 1-3 seconds - often during a turn. The vehicle steering has a strong tendency to "center" so for a driver without upper body strength this could easily cause loss of control. On two occasions the power steering assist has stopped and remained inactive after re-starting, which required me to visit a repair shop to have the software reset - a 5 minute process performed with a programmed ipad. Ford's recall center and customer relationship center took the case #, but want me to visit a dealer and pay for a diagnosis. Issue has occurred both turning and not turning; low speed and highway speed, cold and warm weather.

At 40-45 mph hear wheel bearing noise. Dealer confirmed and both right front bearings (main and carrier) replaced by Ford dealer. Still had noise after replacement. Dealer confirmed that the carrier bearing just replaced was bad. Replaced carrier bearing again but still having same noise. Dealer stated there have been many wheel bearing problems, and that faulty bearings are coming to Ford from vendor. Problem as yet not resolved. Seems Ford is unable to identify which bearings are bad without installing them. I am concerned with potential wheel lock up at speeds, especially a front wheel.