2012 Ford Escape: sudden loss of power

Filed Apr 25, 2025 · Steering · NY

RE: Subject: Urgent Concern Regarding Power Steering Failure - 2012 Ford Escape (VIN: [XXX] ) I am writing to express my urgent concern regarding a significant and recurring power steering failure in my 2012 Ford Escape, which I have owned for thirteen years. I have been experiencing a complete loss of power steering while driving, creating extremely dangerous situations. This issue is not intermittent; it occurs frequently and without warning, making my vehicle difficult to control, particularly at lower speeds. I am now unable to drive my beloved car, My research indicates that Ford issued a safety recall for similar power steering problems in several 2011-2013 Ford models, including the Taurus, Flex, Fusion, and others. The recall, as described on [XXX] , addressed "a potential intermittent electrical connection in the steering gear that might result in the loss of electric power steering assist while driving." This description perfectly matches the issues I am experiencing. Despite these known problems and the related recall, I did not receive any notification, and my 2012 Ford Escape was not included in the listed models. I am deeply concerned and puzzled by this omission, as the safety risk is identical. The loss of power steering has repeatedly placed me in potentially hazardous situations, and I fear for my safety and the safety of other drivers. I urgently request your assistance in resolving this matter. Specifically, I would like to: Determine why my 2012 Ford Escape was not included in the power steering recall, given the identical symptoms. Request an immediate inspection of my vehicle by a certified Ford technician to diagnose and repair the power steering issue. Inquire about any potential remedies, including financial assistance, for the repairs, considering the known recall and the safety risk involved. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 14, 2024 · Steering · WA

Power steering has failed a few times while driving. Purchased this Ford 2012 Escape in November 2023. Had 46,412 miles on it. Noticed a howl like a power steering pump. Took it to mechanic and he said there is no pump and that it could be the alternator. Had that replaced. Thought this issue might be part of a recall for that year with the power steering but dealership said no. Continues to howl and have lost power steering so we are not driving it presently. When the power steering fails it becomes hard to steer. Thank goodness it has failed at slower speeds. No warning lights have come on.

Filed Feb 7, 2024 · Steering · 97,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

Filed Jan 16, 2024 · Steering · WA

Power steering failed on my 2012 Ford Escape multiple times, without warning, or any indication light. To fix it required the car to be turned off and on again, which is difficult if you are actively driving. The steering failed while making both left and right hand turns, often at speeds <30mph. 2008-2011 Ford Escape models were recalled for this same issue - 2012 Escapes were never included in the recall however it seems to be the exact same issue. It was brought to the dealership once a year ago to inquire about this issue, but the issue could not be replicated. It was just again brought to the dealership after experiencing a loss of power steering 4 times in 4 days, and they replicated the issue and recorded diagnostic code B2278. It required replacing and reprogramming the steering shaft torque sensor (the exact same fix from the 2014 recall). The safety of this is concerning because Ford knows it is an issue based on the 2014 recall and the loss of power steering comes with no warning light, indication, or prediction. If this happens while driving, it absolutely increases risk of injury to the driver or others, along with increasing the risk of accidents.

Filed Oct 12, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · WI

My grandmothers vehicle has had an intermittent loss of power steering while driving at slow speeds and is a serious safety concern, the safety recall I had found "14S05" is exactly what's goin on with her vehicle and it matches up exactly to the recall down to the assembly plant other than her vehicle was assembled a year after the recall, but yet these symptoms of this recall is exactly what she is having. She has brought it to multiple ford dealerships and they turn her away unless she pays them over $200? I would fix it as a consumer, but no lights come on or even point me in a proper direction of repairs. There's no warning lights or anything and the only way it can be repaired is by the dealer so how can my grandmother be liable for this if the car tells me nothing is wrong? I have found several accident reports concerning this exact situation with her vehicle, I genuinely fear for her safety. It's been a problem for over 6 months and she just got back to driving again after a surgery and her vehicle has this issue. It was addressed a while back and they claimed there was nothing wrong at a local dealership. I can't fix this vehicle of my grandmothers unless the computer is telling me there is something wrong..... I have had the issue happen myself several occasions just starting the vehicle in place with absolutely no power steering and no check engine light/codes. It's happening intermittently to my grandmother who only drives in the city under 40 mph. She claims it happens multiple times while driving and she has to pull over in the middle of the street to shut her vehicle off and then proceed to restart the vehicle and there's no issues, but then often comes back continuously throughout driving and yet there's no lights or anything. My grandma doesn't have hundreds to spend on diagnosis and the dealer isn't willing to address the safety concern without her spending money. She has kept all documents in case of accidents as she is in fear of one happening.

Filed Sep 6, 2023 · Steering · 68,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the contact made a right turn, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel became firm. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic, and it was determined that the steering torque sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

Filed Jun 12, 2023 · Steering · 180,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60-65 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The battery, TPMS, ABS, and AWD warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Filed May 5, 2023 · Airbags, Steering · VA

The steering acted like it lost power, it was extremely hard to turn. It showed slide marks on dashboard. It also has airbag light on dashboard. We had a mechanic to run a test, the only thing it showed was that the airbag had no signal to the computer

Filed Apr 24, 2023 · Steering · 55,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and making a left turn into a parking lot, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent; however, had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

Filed Feb 16, 2023 · Steering · 178,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact pulled the vehicle off to the shoulder of the roadway. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a failure to the steering column. The contact had the ignition and steering column replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 178,000.

Filed Apr 15, 2021 · Steering · 170,000 miles · TN

Lost power steering while going down highway. Turned vehicle off and back on and it fixed it. Recall on this problem for this make vehicle up to 2011 model. Some of the parts carried over to 2012. 2012 needs recall also. Very dangerous.

Filed Feb 19, 2021 · Steering · 142,000 miles · NJ

Loss of power steering while driving.