2013 Ford Escape steering problems

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Steering · VA

The steering wheel assist failed when I turned the car on to leave work. I had to get it towed to a car repair shop and they told me the entire steering rack had to be replaced because the assist is built into the rack.

Filed Mar 16, 2026 · Steering · FL

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, the steering wheel became firm while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, excessive effort was needed to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a defective power steering rack, and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Mar 8, 2026 · Steering · WA

Failed part: Electronic Steering Gear Assembly. Starting January 15th 2026 this car began having steering problems, since then it has occurred 2 more times. I immediately determined this car was undrivable because it seemed to be locked but in each situation (1) I was parked along side a curb in (2) a parking lot (3) or in other non-dangerous locations. Had I been driving on a street or highway I am certain I would have crashed. The first time this occurred I stopped turned off the engine, restarted it which unlocked it so I was able to continue safely, in the following 2 incidents this action did not work. On one occasion I stopped at a Ford Dealership & Service Center, described the issue to the agent who stated it sounds like the above assembly. I did not leave it because I was driving my other car. Upon returning home I took it in for service at my local mechanic. He detected code U3000-53 for the Power Steering. I authorized repair. No warning lights appeared on the console displays. Note 2 Invoices attached. My repair invoice is the one totaling $3,471 printed 03/04/2026 but please refer to earlier on printed 02/24/2026 (original quote) because it includes additional details.

Filed Jul 29, 2025 · Fuel system, Steering · MS

Steering wheel locked up hard to turn wheel Consuming(burning) way more gas than normally would

Filed Nov 26, 2024 · Steering · TX

Steering Assist Fault. This issue is coming up more often. When the car is started it says this error message on the dash and the steering wheel cannot be turned. We have to turn it off, wait a minute, and restart it. Most of the time this remedies the problem but lately we have had to turn it off and on several times to get it to clear up and the steering working again. This is documented all over the Ford forums. Please open an investigation as this is a serious issue and should not be happening. We have never been able to replicate it for Ford or anyone else. It is very random.

Filed Nov 11, 2024 · Steering · CA

This is follow up to my complaint that I made last week. the federal safety agency issue number is 11624016. I have found numerous similar complaints of 2013 ford escape steering freezing up and malfunctioning at the this link: [XXX] and submit it for the federal safety agency follow up. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 7, 2024 · Steering · CA

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 I started my 2013 Ford Escape, put it in reverse and the steering froze and I could not turn the steering wheel. On Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024 I took it to the mechanic and he had the same thing happen and diagnostic indicated thatthe power steering needed replacement. I contacted Ford Motor Company and they stated that my VIN was not included in their recall of the 2013 Ford Escapes. They declined to share with me other similar complaints. I have since learned from a Ford escape owners page that the are many complaints by owners and can't get any help from Ford. I would liked the federal safety agency to investigate and report on how may owners are being denied inclusion in the 2013 Ford Escape steering recall.

Filed Nov 3, 2024 · Steering · IL

The power steering stopped working as driving it. Dashboard message read "steering assist fault service" Unable to steering the vehicle properly which could have caused an accident. No warnings prior to the issue.

Filed Oct 22, 2024 · Steering · 200,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel made it difficult to turn to the left or the right. The steering assist failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by a local independent mechanic, and it was determined that the electronic steering assist had failed. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by another local independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the electronic steering gear had failed. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Oct 17, 2024 · Steering · TX

In reverse, Steering locks up without warning, then the steering assist fault message comes up.