2015 Ford Escape Steering Problems

The vehicle currently has 119,000 miles. While driving, I received a service steering assist fault on my dashboard and immediately lost all power steering. There was no previous signs of any sort of power steering failure whatsoever. After diagnosing the vehicle, it was determined that the power steering control assist module head failed, which is directly attached to the rack and pinion assembly. After doing some research, it is very apparent that this is a common issue on all Fords of this era that have electric power steering. Due to the module being built into the rec companion, the entire rack assembly has to be replaced, which is about a $3000 job at the dealership. Given how much this is a reported problem I am surprised that it’s not already recall. This raises a severe driver safety concern as when operators are on the highway and lose all power steering, there is a little to no reaction that they are able to have when going 70+ miles per hour.

NHTSA ID

11749403

Incident

Jul 3, 2026

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly started to decelerate even though the RPM was extremely elevated. There was a high-pitched whine coming from the vehicle, and the tires screeched before the vehicle came to an abrupt stop, ceasing all functions. The contact turned off the vehicle in the middle of the interstate because the vehicle could not be moved to the shoulder. A passerby assisted with pushing the vehicle to the side of the road using a push bar. The contact stated that the steering wheel had seized. The vehicle was restarted, and the message “Transmission Fault - Service Immediately” was displayed, followed by the check engine warning light becoming illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11709736

Incident

Jan 6, 2026

Mileage

132,000 mi

The contact’s wife owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while idling or while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel felt loose and there was no resistance while turning the steering wheel. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11658987

Incident

Apr 17, 2025

Mileage

100,000 mi

rack & pinion, and power steering assist fault. I am writing to bring to your attention a critical safety issue I recently encountered with my 2015 Ford Escape. I am deeply concerned about the lack of response and accountability from Ford regarding this matter, and I kindly request your assistance in addressing this potentially life-threatening problem. During a recent incident, my vehicle's power steering suddenly failed, rendering the car extremely difficult to maneuver. The lack of power steering made it nearly impossible for me to maintain a straight line, let alone perform any evasive maneuvers to avoid potential hazards on the road. Fortunately, this incident occurred in a drive-thru, and my children were not present in the vehicle at the time. I dread to think of the consequences if this failure had happened while driving at higher speeds or in a more critical situation. Upon taking my car to the Ford dealership for inspection and repair, I was shocked to learn that the power steering issue is not covered under my warranty. The dealership informed me that because my vehicle has exceeded 60,000 miles and is now over four years old, it falls outside the warranty coverage. I find it deeply troubling that Ford refuses to acknowledge the obvious flaw in the design of the car's power steering system, especially when comparable Ford models such as the 2011-2013 Fusion have been recalled for the exact same issue. As a loyal Ford customer, I implore you to thoroughly investigate and address this widespread problem, not only for my own sake but also for the safety and well-being of countless other Ford owners who may be facing similar risks. This dangerous design flaw poses a significant threat to drivers and their passengers, and it is utterly irresponsible for Ford to shirk responsibility and shift the financial burden onto the customers.

NHTSA ID

11649502

Incident

Mar 3, 2019

After getting gas in car wife started car and attempted to pull from gas pump. Steering was hard to steer and information light illuminated.(Steering assist fault Service required). This by some may not be considered a safety issue, but if it happens in heavy traffic this could be very serious to other drivers around you. Reading all the reports and seeing the other model years ford has recalled for steering. I believe that ford should issue a recall or at least reimburse owners for the cost of replacement.

NHTSA ID

11649032

Incident

Mar 5, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was started, and attempting to turn the steering wheel, the steering wheel was stiff and failed to move as needed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact was advised to warm up the vehicle and after 15 mins the steering wheel should unlock. The vehicle was then taken to the residence and parked. The contact stated that the following day after the vehicle had warmed up for 25 minutes, the steering wheel unlocked; however, while accelerating, the steering wheel started shaking abnormally. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,266.

NHTSA ID

11628246

Incident

Nov 30, 2024

Mileage

103,266 mi

Similar to other complaints, my son got in his 2015 Ford Escape this morning and the power steering was not working. It was very difficult to turn the wheel. When I went to check it out, I noticed a warning that there was a "Steering Assist Fault, Service Required" message. He drove it yesterday without no issue. We have seen this happen in the past sporadically but it always seemed to somehow fix itself. Sounds like there is an issue here that needs to be addressed by Ford.

NHTSA ID

11622262

Incident

Oct 28, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering assembly gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact did research and discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V250000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ID

11619929

Incident

Aug 2, 2024

Mileage

40,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while attempting to reverse out of the garage, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the “Steering Service Required” message was displayed. The contact stated turned off and restarted the vehicle and the steering returned to normal operation. The contact stated that several days afterwards while exiting a parking space, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,841.

NHTSA ID

11607921

Incident

Aug 4, 2024

Mileage

33,841 mi

Two separate events - In parking lot, started the vehicle, backed out of the spot, pulled forward and received an alert regarding a power steering assist failed. The ability to control the car at slow speeds with regards to steering was extremely impacted. I could barely turn out of the way of traffic and pull back over into a safe area. I turned the car off then stared it back up and the error went away. The second event approx. a month later was while I was driving down a winding hill and the error error popped up on my screen again regarding the power assist failure. The even though i was traveling at 45 mph, the loss of steering assist about caused me to go off the road and down the embankment. I could have just as easily gone into incoming traffic. I was able to slow the car down significantly and put a lot of effort to get off the side of the road safely. Again, I turned the car off then back on and the problem was no longer present. Research on the internet shows this isn't an isolated event and has been reported by other owners of the same vehicle type. I will be taking the vehicle to the dealership for inspection but I'm confident they will not be able to re-create the issue since this has been a random event.

NHTSA ID

11605735

Incident

Jun 28, 2024

rack & pinion, and power steering assist fault. I am writing to bring to your attention a critical safety issue I recently encountered with my 2015 Ford Escape. I am deeply concerned about the lack of response and accountability from Ford regarding this matter, and I kindly request your assistance in addressing this potentially life-threatening problem. During a recent incident, my vehicle's power steering suddenly failed, rendering the car extremely difficult to maneuver. The lack of power steering made it nearly impossible for me to maintain a straight line, let alone perform any evasive maneuvers to avoid potential hazards on the road. Fortunately, this incident occurred in a drive-thru, and my children were not present in the vehicle at the time. I dread to think of the consequences if this failure had happened while driving at higher speeds or in a more critical situation. Upon taking my car to the Ford dealership for inspection and repair, I was shocked to learn that the power steering issue is not covered under my warranty. The dealership informed me that because my vehicle has exceeded 60,000 miles and is now over four years old, it falls outside the warranty coverage. I find it deeply troubling that Ford refuses to acknowledge the obvious flaw in the design of the car's power steering system, especially when comparable Ford models such as the 2011-2013 Fusion have been recalled for the exact same issue. As a loyal Ford customer, I implore you to thoroughly investigate and address this widespread problem, not only for my own sake but also for the safety and well-being of countless other Ford owners who may be facing similar risks. This dangerous design flaw poses a significant threat to drivers and their passengers, and it is utterly irresponsible for Ford to shirk responsibility and shift the financial burden onto the customers.

NHTSA ID

11573391

Incident

Mar 1, 2019

driving 2015 Ford Escape slowly in parking lot Steering Assist Fault- service needed' message appeared on screen, and steering seemed to become unpowered. I maneuvered it to park, turned ignition to off. Turned back on and all seems fine on day 2 - (This vehicle does not have replaceable power steering fluid.) Auto Parts store helper tested battery, alternator and starter all fine.

NHTSA ID

11566827

Incident

Jan 21, 2024

The contact's wife owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel became firm. The contact observed a communication power assist failure message on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,600.

NHTSA ID

11564117

Incident

Oct 15, 2023

Mileage

99,600 mi

Steering rack needs to be replaced. It’s growling when I turn, and now that it’s below freezing in Maine, it’s locking up. It tries to lock up while I’m driving. It’s very dangerous, but the job is a 2-3K job. I’ve researched the issue, and this has happened with MANY Ford vehicles. See other links below: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] These are just a few of hundreds of articles reporting the same problem. This is clearly an issue with Ford’s steering racks and should be investigated as it’s extremely dangerous and shouldn’t be happening to so many people. I still owe 10K on this car and have already put thousands into it for repair. Something has got to give with this company making poorly made vehicles that are not built to last. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11556763

Incident

Nov 13, 2023

Mileage

175,704 mi

Steering randomly locks up and jerks to one side. I've had it checked twice and both places reported not finding any issues. Not showing any codes to repair it

NHTSA ID

11555505

Incident

Nov 16, 2023

I am writing to bring to your attention a critical safety issue I recently encountered with my 2015 Ford Escape. I am deeply concerned about the lack of response and accountability from Ford regarding this matter, and I kindly request your assistance in addressing this potentially life-threatening problem. During a recent incident, my vehicle's power steering suddenly failed, rendering the car extremely difficult to maneuver. The lack of power steering made it nearly impossible for me to maintain a straight line, let alone perform any evasive maneuvers to avoid potential hazards on the road. Fortunately, this incident occurred in a drive-thru, and my children were not present in the vehicle at the time. I dread to think of the consequences if this failure had happened while driving at higher speeds or in a more critical situation. Upon taking my car to the Ford dealership for inspection and repair, I was shocked to learn that the power steering issue is not covered under my warranty. The dealership informed me that because my vehicle has exceeded 60,000 miles and is now over four years old, it falls outside the warranty coverage. I find it deeply troubling that Ford refuses to acknowledge the obvious flaw in the design of the car's power steering system, especially when comparable Ford models such as the 2011-2013 Fusion have been recalled for the exact same issue. As a loyal Ford customer, I implore you to thoroughly investigate and address this widespread problem, not only for my own sake but also for the safety and well-being of countless other Ford owners who may be facing similar risks. This dangerous design flaw poses a significant threat to drivers and their passengers, and it is utterly irresponsible for Ford to shirk responsibility and shift the financial burden onto the customers.

NHTSA ID

11547843

Incident

Oct 1, 2020

Electric power steering intermittently loses communication with module. It's very dangerous. Just driving straight down the road or making a turn it cuts out and it's like a ghost grabs the wheels and jerks you off the road or into oncoming traffic. I've hit guardrails and many curbs, luckily no oncoming traffic. This should be a serious recall if I've ever seen one. One of the most dangerous malfunctions I've ever experienced and I'm a technician.

NHTSA ID

11544234

Incident

Sep 13, 2023

“steering assist fault". The steering wheel basically locks up and is more difficult than typical power steering loss. My pregnant wife was driving on the road around 55 mph and got the “steering assist fault” in the middle of a busy highway. She couldn’t pull over immediately due to steering being hard to use. Issue happened randomly about 6 months ago and happened again twice in 3 weeks. Car is schedule to get assessed by dealership. No warning signs before or after. Issue gets temporarily resolved by turning off the vehicle and turning it back on

NHTSA ID

11533829

Incident

Jul 10, 2023

while driving car shit off and displayed message “transmission not in park” once coasted to a stop car unable to turn back on with steering wheel, gear shift, and brakes locked. inside lights and screens, brake lights, and fog lights will turn on, but car will not turn over or attempt to start

NHTSA ID

11529405

Incident

Jun 28, 2023

Steering assist fault Service required [XXX] I am writing to bring to your attention a critical safety issue I recently encountered with my 2015 Ford Escape. I am deeply concerned about the lack of response and accountability from Ford regarding this matter, and I kindly request your assistance in addressing this potentially life-threatening problem. During a recent incident, my vehicle's power steering suddenly failed, rendering the car extremely difficult to maneuver. The lack of power steering made it nearly impossible for me to maintain a straight line, let alone perform any evasive maneuvers to avoid potential hazards on the road. Fortunately, this incident occurred in a drive-thru, and my children were not present in the vehicle at the time. I dread to think of the consequences if this failure had happened while driving at higher speeds or in a more critical situation. Upon taking my car to the Ford dealership for inspection and repair, I was shocked to learn that the power steering issue is not covered under my warranty. The dealership informed me that because my vehicle has exceeded 60,000 miles and is now over four years old, it falls outside the warranty coverage. I find it deeply troubling that Ford refuses to acknowledge the obvious flaw in the design of the car's power steering system, especially when comparable Ford models such as the 2011-2013 Fusion have been recalled for the exact same issue. As a loyal Ford customer, I implore you to thoroughly investigate and address this widespread problem, not only for my own sake but also for the safety and well-being of countless other Ford owners who may be facing similar risks. This dangerous design flaw poses a significant threat to drivers and their passengers, and it is utterly irresponsible for Ford to shirk responsibility and shift the financial burden onto the customers. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11529401

Incident

Oct 1, 2019

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 57 MPH, an abnormal sound was heard, and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact stated that that the transmission failed, and the service message was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle was hauled to the residence while in neutral. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired with a refurbished transmission. The contact stated that the following day after picking up the vehicle, upon starting the vehicle, the steering assist fault message was displayed before the vehicle erroneously turned off. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer who stated that the steering assist needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown steering recall however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, the contact was unaware if a case was opened. The contact was transferred to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

NHTSA ID

11515566

Incident

Mar 22, 2023

Mileage

106,000 mi

Rack and pinion went out at 66,000 miles. I have send reviews on this make and model that this is a problem. I have talked to multiple mechanics who have adv this is an electric problem in these cars and with different years.

NHTSA ID

11507770

Incident

Dec 16, 2019

The car has on multiple occasions suddenly reported a "steering assist fault". When this happens you lose power steering. The steering wheel basically locks up and is more difficult than typical power steering loss. This is not the same as a typical power steering loss where you need more strength to turn the wheel, in this case you lose all control. This has happened while driving, which could result in a serious accident and injury to me and my children. It is only resolved by turning the car off and back on. The problem has not yet been checked or inspected by dealer or service center, we are in process of having it checked out after finding no safety recall despite the 2011 Ford Escape having a recall for the same issue and numerous online complaints for 2015 (and other years) having the same issue with electrical steering assist. This has happened multiple times, both when starting the vehicle and while driving.

NHTSA ID

11503551

Incident

Jan 22, 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist with the Steering Assist Fault message displayed. The contact's daughter pulled over and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering assist was faulty and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

NHTSA ID

11491122

Incident

Oct 22, 2022

Mileage

87,000 mi

Ford Escape had a history of transmission issues prior to the 2015 vehicle I purchased used in Feb 2018. I was told the rough shifting and vehicle skipping (which started gradually the winter of 2021/2022) can be a hardware, software, shutter or torque problem. Even though there are class actions suits to resolve the software and hardware problems, Ford has not provided any assistance, instead expecting me to replace the transmission at my expense quoting the highest repair price despite not having an actual diagnostic which they also expect me to pay $169.00 for.

NHTSA ID

11488718

Incident

Oct 10, 2022