2018 Ford Escape: loss of power steering

Filed Sep 5, 2025 · Engine · CO

Component or System: Engine – Coolant intrusion into the combustion chamber (cylinder 2). The vehicle and documentation (dealer diagnostic report, photos) are available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: Coolant intrusion causes engine misfires, loss of power, and rapid coolant loss, which can lead to sudden engine stalling or hydrolock at highway speeds. A stall could result in loss of power steering and braking assist, creating a serious crash risk for occupants and others on the road. Confirmation: The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by a Ford dealership using a borescope inspection. Inspection: A Ford dealership service department has inspected the vehicle. They confirmed coolant pooling in cylinder 2. Warning Signs: The check engine light first appeared in early July 2025 with a misfire on cylinder 2. Spark plugs and other components were replaced, but the issue returned within two weeks. The engine misfired, produced white exhaust smoke, and lost coolant over time.

Filed Mar 6, 2025 · Steering · MA

While traveling from Massachusetts to South Carolina we stopped at a rest area for a break. when we re-started the S.U.V., a message was displayed that the power steering assist was no longer working. No warning and it was running fine before stop. Because the same thing happened on my other Ford Edge, I knew what I needed to do. We had to have the car towed off highway to a local Ford dealership, were they confirmed that the rack and pinion steering system FAILED. It took the dealer 2 weeks to repair it at a cost of $3,171.45. Because this as happened on two different FORD products I believe that Ford has a problem with the steering system and that the N.H.T.S.A. dept should look into this?? I filed a complaint with N.H.T.S.A. dept on my first S.U.V.

Filed Nov 7, 2022 · Steering · CT

Today for the second time the vehicle power steering failed at approx 40 mph. The service engine / Fault light then lighted. I pulled over and restarted the car (since this worked last time) and the power steering came back. After the first occurrence about 2 months ago we brought it to a dealer . Saybrook Ford Old Saybrook CT. They could not duplicate intermittant problem said it MAY need a steering GW-AR" but did retirieve at U300 repair code - they could not do a pinpoint test due to the stored code. Battery tested good. No repair done . Repair invoice available.

Filed Jun 3, 2022 · Steering · 56,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering assist and the steering wheel became firm. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.

Filed Sep 10, 2019 · Steering · 35,000 miles · WA

On sunday, july 14, 2019, our 2018 ford escape lost power steering while traveling 60 MPH on interstate 5 near seattle. We were able to pull off the interstate and turn the vehicle off. The vehicle was still under original warranty. After restarting the vehicle, the power steering failure light turned off and power steering was restored. We contacted the dealer the next day and they advised it was safe to continue driving the vehicle until they could schedule an appointment - ten days later. The dealer claimed it found no codes indicating a problem. On september 9, 2019, our escape lost all power steering again without any warning lights coming on. We cannot restore the power steering by turning the vehicle off and restarting. The vehicle is. Now at the dealership, but the dealer and ford customer support have both said because our mileage is now over the original warranty, they will not cover the repairs necessary to correct the complete loss of power steering.

Filed Feb 18, 2019 · Engine · 2,000 miles · MA · crash · 1 injury

While traveling in a rotary our car was struck violently by a vehicle on the left trying to make an incorrect exit. The impact was hard enough to cause the engine to stop operating resulting in a total loss of steering land braking. Because of no power, the steering did not respond nor did the brakes. The damage to the car was primarily cosmetic and little mechanical damage. The airbags did not deploy and if the car had remained in control it could have been stopped before it proceeded into the oncoming land causing damage to this vehicle and the one that was hit. If there is some type of device to turn an engine off when hit with all of our power steering and brakes this is a problem when the vehicle is still operable.

Filed Dec 19, 2018 · Steering · 5,100 miles · PA

I was being to accelerate after stopping at a stop sign, when the steering froze then violently turned to the right. When the steering turned to the right I inadvertently pressed on the accelerator pedal speeding up slightly to approximately 15 MPH. During the split second that this happened I was able to wrestle the vehicle back towards the road barely missing a telephone pole, but I did strike the guy wires that support the pole. This caused about $800 in damage to the vehicle and no defect could be found by the service station. When the steering did go out it was the most difficult thing to steer that I have ever driven including old large truck with no power steering.

Filed Nov 19, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 15,300 miles · AZ

The warning lights intermittently come on in april 2018. Mostly check engine for several months. Took to auto zone got a read out for sensor. But aaa repair shop wouldn't use their report and when I took it to them, light wasn't on. So they didn't look at it. Was gone out of town 6 months. Light off and on. Randomly. Oct 2018, heading cross country back home to az. Lights started coming on more often. More lights, ABS, skid, seat belt, within the week, very random off and on. Then more lights would come on. Auto zone again gave me a sensor report, o2 and fuel. While waiting in bank line,, whole panel of lights came on. Acted staled, but was running, could push gas and run, but couldn't steer, babied to a parking spot, even the mileage odometer went to slash marks and no numbers. I took a photo. Turned car off and waited to try to call for assistance. But after few minutes, worked fine. That next week, I was driving on freeway and it did the exact same thing, whole panel came on, dashes for numbers and no steering> scared to death. Still could push gas and braked, few seconds felt like minutes. Lights went out and car drove fine. Left at a mechanic and he changed oxygen sensor, diagnosed the stalling, check engine light back on and other codes. R/r oxygen sensor, air/fuel system service flush, and computer / programming update. Ran me $568.70. Lights still randomly come on, brake ABS, skid, and the parking brake light comes on. I parked the car and bought a new one. Where can I take it. I need to sell it to help pay for other car, but don't want someone to get hurt while driving this one. I looked up kbb and saw 3 recalls on one was pcsm sensor and when I called ford dealer, he said no recalls for it. Please help. I'm desperate.