2011 FORD ESCAPE Complaints

Hello, I have submitted a complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Department on February 4, 2023 to report an issue with my 2011 Ford Escape. My Steering wheel is locking while in motion. I have spoken to a Representative who verified that my vehicle was manufactured in Kansas City, Mo. I viewed the Recall letter that was submitted from the Manufacturing Company on July 1, 2014 with Recall number 14S05. My Case number is [XXX]. I also spoke with a Representative with NHTS DepartmI hope this isent today August 30, 2023 and was advise to Edit and update my complaint. My ODI 11450799. My Vehicle is currently at the Barton Ford Dealership Service Department at 1600 N. Main St in Suffolk Va. This incident has occurred frequently. Again the issue was reported this year in February of 2023. Lately the incident has occurred everyday this past week. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle and I am afraid that having this issue could cause me to get into an accident. I hope this issue can be resolved. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

We bought a certified pre-owned 2011 Ford Escape from Simi Valley Ford dealer back in late 2014. We then gave it to our son when he started college in 2018. It has been working okay for him until three weeks ago the steering wheel locked a few times on him while driving and he took it to the local repair shop where he was told that there had been a recall on the 2011 Ford Escapes for issues with steering so his best bet would be to take it to the dealership. He took it to a Ford dealership and they said it needed a new steering column but that it was not covered under the recall (codes did not match). We authorized the replacement of the steering column over a week ago and we keep being told that the part has not shipped from the manufacturer and that they do not have an ETA as to when it will be available. I spoke to another dealership and he told me that FORD is not allowing the sale of this part. Part Number: CL8Z3C529D Steering Column.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his mother was driving at 5 MPH and exiting a parking lot, the power steering assist failed, and the power steering function was inoperable. However, after driving a short distance, the power steering became operable, and she was able to safely drive the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the first failure experience occurred three months ago, but the failure had reoccurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, while attempting to slow down the vehicle pulled to the right. The vehicle returned to normal functionality however, the failure became a regular occurrence. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the EPS module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 150,000.

The torque sensor failed while turning left at a stoplight and the power steering didn't work. It was extremely difficult to keep the steering wheel rotated in order to complete the turn. I came very close to hitting the car on the opposite direction at the stoplight and to hitting the curb. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer service center. The Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC)was B2278. To my knowledge the manufacturer has not inspected the torque sensor. The dealer did say the sensor had a yellow paint or chalk line it and when they received the replacement sensor, the literature called for the entire steering column assembly to be replaced if the yellow paint line was present on the failed sensor. There were no warning lights, checking engine lights, or any other symptoms of the problem prior to the sensor failure. The failure just occurred without warning in the middle of a left hand turn.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds while making a left or a right turn, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that she had to turn off and restart the vehicle to unlock the steering wheel. No warning light was illuminated. The contact’s father diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved DTC code: B2278. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was transferred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof inadvertently exploded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

Subframe rusted only on passenger side front where the weld is to hold/ support the passenger front wheel. It snapped and wheel was completely free/ had no control over it and causing the front axle to snap.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the subframe on the passenger’s side front had detached due to extreme corrosion, causing the front axle to become detached. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V165000 (Structure). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 178,596. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving into a parking area at a slow speed, the vehicle abruptly lost electric power steering assist. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality; however, the failure recurred and had since become a regular failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. After investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.