2011 FORD ESCAPE Complaints

Subject: Urgent Safety Concern – Request for Recall Coverage Assistance To Whom It May Concern, I am writing with a heartfelt and urgent request regarding a serious malfunction in my vehicle's steering column, which has made it extremely difficult to turn. This presents a clear and dangerous safety hazard, particularly on expressways and in everyday driving when the ability to maneuver quickly is critical. My safety, my child’s safety, and the safety of others has been compromised due to this issue. The vehicle has been thoroughly inspected by a mechanic, and there were no warning lights or prior indicators of an impending failure. I have learned that there is an active recall related to this exact issue for vehicles manufactured between 2008 and September 2011. My vehicle was manufactured in January 2011, just a few months before the cut-off. To be denied assistance over a matter of months feels deeply unfair and disheartening — especially when the failure matches the recall description exactly. I am a single parent who depends on this vehicle for work and daily life. The financial burden of repairs right now is overwhelming, especially given the rising cost of living, inflation, and how expensive everything has become. I’m simply trying to keep my family safe and get to work. I am respectfully and desperately asking you to reconsider support and allow my vehicle to be included in this recall, as it clearly qualifies based on the issue — if not technically by the cut-off date. Please don’t let a few months be the reason help is denied when it’s needed most. Here is my vehicle information: VIN: [XXX] Make/Model/Year: 2011 Ford Escape Manufacture Date: January 21, 2011 Thank you for your time, understanding, and attention to this matter. I truly hope you can see the urgency and importance of this request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. In addition, the contact stated that the steering wheel became extremely tight. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed power steering module. The contact was advised that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) as a possible cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the fuel tank was leaking and there was an abnormally strong fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed the fuel leak. The mechanic applied epoxy to the leak, but the failure recurred. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

My car is experiencing the issue in this recall for powerstearing but my vin is not associated, my ford year make mosel and issue is called out in the recall but my 2011 escape vin does not pull up the recall. I lose power steering and its not safe to drive. 14v284000 14so5 I called ford customer service and my vehicle is in the ford dealership, they are refusing to support me.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel intermittently seized. The contact removed the key from the ignition, then re-inserted and pushed the key into the ignition to correct the failure. The contact stated that the failure occurred daily. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH the power steering function became inoperable. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle several times to regain power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the power steering assist sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed there was no recall coverage on the VIN for the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 195,000.

The contact's husband owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test determined that the wheel sensors needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the wheel sensors were replaced by the mechanic; however, the warning lights remained illuminated. The contact was informed that the ABS module needed to be replaced; however, the ABS module for the vehicle was no longer in production. The contact stated that several dealers where contacted; however, it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact suggested using an aftermarket part to replace the module; however, the dealers would not program the aftermarket part. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered several recommendations, but none of the recommendations were able to assist the contact with repairing the vehicle. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

While driving, the power steering assist intermittently fails without warning. This makes steering very difficult and creates a serious safety hazard, especially at low speeds or during turns. The issue can be temporarily resolved by turning the engine off and restarting the vehicle, but it recurs unpredictably. There are no warning lights or error messages displayed on the dashboard. This is a known issue on this model year and may relate to a defective EPS (electric power steering) module. Please investigate.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a crack in the fuel tank which caused the fuel leak. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 220,000.

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.