2012 Ford Escape: steering wheel locks up

Filed Oct 29, 2025 · Steering · 121,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the steering wheel locked. The contact used force to turn the steering wheel while driving to the residence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who inspected the vehicle and retrieved DTC: B2278. The independent mechanic determined that the power steering control module and sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The sensor was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.

Filed Apr 3, 2025 · Steering · 158,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle became difficult to turn to the left or right. The contact stated that as a temporary repair, the vehicle was restarted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering column assembly needed to be replaced due to the steering wheel seizing. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to an unknown Ford Recall; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was scheduled to be repaired at the owner's expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.

Filed Jan 24, 2025 · Steering · OH

Steering wheel locked while turning into a parking lot traveling about 10 MPH. No amount of force on the steering wheel would turn the front wheels. It was total steering failure. Braking failed at the same time. Car coasted to a stop. No warning lamps or dashboard indication of failure. There would have been total loss of vehicle control had this happened at highway speed with catastrophic results. By luck there was not an accident or collision as a result of the failure. The engine was turned off then restarted a few minutes later. Steering and brake function returned after restarting the engine. Researching similar incidents regarding model 2012 Ford Escape shows this is a common problem judging from the number of complaints filed by other owners of this model Ford. A recall was issued for Escape model years up to 2011 but not for the 2012 or later. Problem description for model years prior to 2012 seem to be an identical match for the 2012 model. This car is unsafe to drive. Hopefully Ford will step up to the issue and provide correction for this dangerous automobile.

Filed Jan 14, 2025 · Steering · MI

The power steering locks up and you can not use the steering wheel at all. I was doing a michigan left turning onto a busy main road and the steering locked up. I had to put my car in park, turn off the ignition and then restart it. All before being hit by upcoming traffic. I had 2 babies in the back and a passenger. This should be a recall and I'm shocked to not see it on the list. No warnings or lights to indicate that the steering was locked up. Did not take it to the dealership yet, I was checking the recall on it first. This malfunction could of lead to 4 deaths today.

Filed Jun 19, 2023 · Steering · GA

Shortly after start-up, the power steering stopped working and the steering wheel locked up. I attempted to turn the car off and back on (something I saw suggested online by other 2012 Ford Escape owners), but the power steering did not return. There were no warning lamps indicating a malfunction. When I researched the issue, I found a recall on previous models of the Ford Escape for the same issue. When I searched my car's VIN, it was not included in the recall.

Filed May 15, 2023 · Steering · 147,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while making a left turn, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the steering wheel operated as needed. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.

Filed Dec 22, 2021 · Steering · 125,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while approaching a stop sign to make a right turn, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving. The contact stated that she experienced the failure once a month since 9/1/2021. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Filed Dec 9, 2021 · Steering · IL

Driving car and all of a sudden steering locks up, I pulled over shut the vehicle off and looked underneath to see if power steering fluid leaked out, found no visible evidence of a leak , got back in vehicle and started it and steering was fine again, that was about a week ago, this morning I'm driving to work and same thing happens again. When I get to work I go online and notice that the same thing happened to a lot of 2012 ford escape owners and that there was a recall for those vehicles made in 2008 to 2011 and assembled in kansas city just like mine was. I called ford and they told that there is nothing wrong with my vehicle. There are no fault codes or check engine lights coming on.

Filed Dec 4, 2021 · Steering · MD

Operator of vehicle will be driving on the roadway, suddenly without warning, steering system locks up. Operator has to forcefully pull vehicle to the side of the roadway. completely shut off the vehicle, wait for a short period and restart the vehicle. This lockup may occur several times during a trip. Vehicle has been repaired. The Steering shaft torque sensor had to be replaced. The steering lockup has been occurring over a period of a year. There appeared to be no pattern in the frequency of occurrences.

Filed Dec 2, 2021 · MA

4 times soon after starting car my steering wheel locked up. Had to stop car,shut off, restart and then steering was fine. If this happened while i was further along this could have caused an accident. Will be setting up appointment when i get my next job schedule so i know when to bring it in. I had a rubbing noise in the steering when i turned left about a month ago had brought it in, but they heard nothing and found nothing. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer insurance etc. Did pass MA state inspection this summer. No warning lights, messages etc. This first happened after i accidently leaned on my pocketbook with my keys in it and the remote start turned my car on. I went to go out to my car, realized it was running( i never use this feature)put my key in and drove off. As i went to go out of my street steering wheel locked up. Shut off car, restarted and sthen steering was fine.Happened beginning of Nov.2021

Filed Jul 30, 2020 · Steering · 160,000 miles · MI

While driving the car the steering locks up. I have to pull the call over, shut the car off and restart the car sometimes several times before the power steering comes back. I have been told this is common problem. Why was this not a recall?

Filed Oct 26, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 153,000 miles · MD

Power steering wheel locking, when making turns while driving. Steering wheel locks on and off, to get it to unlock or back to normal handling, I have to immediately pulled over the side of the road in a safely manner, put car on park turn engine off, then restart car and the steering wheel works again. This is a very dangerous issue taking my car to ford dealer and see hoe they can help me resolve this issue as it seems to be a huge problem with 2008-12 ford escapes.