2001 Ford Escape: loss of power steering

Filed Mar 22, 2017 · Body · 148,000 miles · OH

I own a 2001 ford escape with 148,000 mile that has had been pretty well cared for. It spend most of its life garage kept. I recently noticed the steering wheel seemed a little odd and took it in to have it aligned. My problem was the engine cradle or sub-frame was rusted though. This could have resulted in a serious accident or injury had I not had it fixed because failure of this part while driving could cause loss of steering/control of the vehicle. I contacted ford but they didn't seem to care. I see on the internet this is a common problem and don't understand why you folks have taken stronger action. I will need to send my repair bill and possible a picture tomorrow or friday because my scanner is not working.

Filed Dec 27, 2015 · Suspension · 189,797 miles · OH

Ford issued a recall in april of 2014 for the front sub frame rust issue which can cause the control arms to separate from the frame causing the wheel to kick out there for having no steering. The fix that ford did was drill holes into the already rusted sub frame and install a cheap 90 dollar bar that provides no fix to this issue. I took my escape in october of 2014 to have the frame inspected and to have the recall performed. My sub frame was heavily rusted and they did nothing but installed the metal bar. I've been very worried about this issue for the past year and just last week while driving my escape the sub frame snapped and had very little to no steering once it broke. This is a very dangerous issue that needs to be addressed, when these sub frames break that bar that ford installed does nothing to keep your steering under control. I contacted the motor company and hauled it back to the dealer that did the recall on the escape. After the dealer ship sent pictures to ford of this issues the motor company said it wasn't their problem and that it was something I have to deal with. Now just think about this, there are a a lot of 2001-2004 escape on the road that have this issue and when these frames snap it can cause a major problem for the driver. Loss of steering and may cause an accident if you cant control the vehicle to make a safe stop. I'm left with my daily driving vehicle sitting in the driveway because the motor company did not replace my frame that had heavy rust and rust holes in it when I took it to a dealer to have the recall performed. I need my frame replaced but the motor company claims that the issue was resolved when they installed that cheap 90 bar across the sub frame. It was me and my four year old son in the vehicle when the frame snapped while driving it down the road, very very unsafe for ford no to replace the sub frame.

Filed Oct 22, 2013 · Body, Engine · 127,069 miles · MI

While driving the vehicle, the left side of the vehicle collapsed after experiencing a loss of steering control. I jacked up the vehicle to inspect the cause and discovered the left side of the engine/suspension cradle was suffered from abnormal corrosion that allowed the lower control arm to become detached from the vehicle. This condition is not present on the right side of the vehicle, therefore it is obvious that this is a quality issue with the component that caused a premature failure and a safety issue. This is a ford quality issue that is not being addressed that could cause severe injury and death.

Filed Sep 7, 2012 · Body, Suspension · 91,746 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the power steering assist failed and the contact was unable to maintain driving straightforward. The steering wheel had to be turned approximately 90 degrees to the right in order to keep the vehicle driving straight. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who advised that the sub frame was corroded and caused the lower arm control to fracture. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, did not provide any further assistance. The failure and current mileage was 91,746. Updated 10/16/12*lj the consumer referenced campaign id number: (11v030000) (ford windstar) year 1999-2003. A separation of a front lower control arm rear attaching bracket resulting in a lower control arm separation. This caused loss of steering control. Updated 10/18/2012

Filed Mar 30, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 100,495 miles · OH

While traveling uphill going approx 45 MPH the engine on my 2001 ford escape shut down. Complete power to my car was lost. The odometer even lost the miles driven and was replaced by dashes momentarily. When the engine shut down I steered the car to the side of the road, I lost power steering and brakes. The check engine light also came on when this happened. There was no previous indication that there was an issue with the engine. After I pulled to the side of the road. I put car in park and turned key off. I waited approx 5 minutes and restarted the car with no problems. The check engine light was off and car started smoothly as usual. After researching this online, I don't seem to be the only person having this issue.

Filed Apr 1, 2004 · Engine · 75,000 miles · PA

I have been experienceing alot of stalling with my 2001 ford escape. It usually happens when on a downgrade or slowing to stop. The idle drops very low and the car stalls. It often stalls when sitting at an idle also. I have had it stall many times when slowing down to make a turn. When the escape stalls, you lose steering. I am an accident waiting to happen. I first starting stalling in march of 2003 and have had hundreds of stalls. Yesterday(3/31/04) the escape stalled 5 times in a 2 mile stretch. I am very worried that one day it will stall turning at a busy intersection and I won't be able to restart fast enough to stop from getting hit or hitting someone or something else. Because I am out of warrenty ford will do nothing. I know there is a tsb on this problem, but I can't afford to have it done, and I feel this is something ford should do whether you're under warrenty or not.

Filed Mar 8, 2004 · Engine · 50,000 miles · WA

Vehicle stalls while going downhill at approximately 35 miles an hour with foot off gas. This is the third or forth time it has happened. Because of the stalling condition, use of brake and steering is difficult.

Filed Oct 28, 2003 · Brakes, Steering · 30,000 miles · CA · crash

Upon driving downhill car disengaged.lost power steering and brakes.anual brakes and steering also failed.

Filed Oct 22, 2003 · Engine · 21,450 miles · WA

Engine turned off while driving down hill (35-40) miles. I lost power steering and brakes. Luckily I was able to turn into the parking lot and stopped the vehicle by hitting the curve. It had happened once before about a year ago but I ignored that incident.

Filed Sep 11, 2003 · Engine · 36,000 miles · DE

Car shut off while moving at 35-40 MPH with no warning. Loss of power steering and brakes. Winner ford said I needed new computer - took 2 weeks to repair. Found out later they only reprogrammed computer. Car had also shut itself off october of 2002, in for repairs, one week later, shut itself off again, another problem. Escape is not reliable. See chat groups and edmonds.com for other peoples complaints.

Filed Aug 25, 2003 · Steering · CA

Consumer noticed that while driving at 10 MPH and without any indication vehicle parts started falling from under engine department, resulting in loss of steering.

Filed Aug 5, 2003 · Electrical · GA

I was driving my 2001 ford escape doing 40mph down an incline and the engine shut off. Lost power steering and brakes and wound up on someone's lawn. Someone could have been seriously hurt. What does it take to get a recall on this problem due tothe fact that most of the escapes issues are stalling.