Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford escort. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the power steering seized without warning. The vehicle had to be towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wires and fuses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.
Ford Escort steering lock-up problems
12 of the 3,480 owner complaints about the Ford Escort describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 1999 model year.
- owner complaints
- 12
- worst model year
- 1999
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
- 19994
- 19983
- 19972
- 19951
- 19931
- 19911
Often reported together
What owners say
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford escort. The contact stated that the steering locked up while driving. She pulled to the side of the road and attempted to restart the vehicle, however, it failed to restart immediately. She stated that the power steering fluid was dark colored and leaking. The dealer stated that the power steering needed to be drained and more tests were needed to determine the cause of failure. The current and failure mileages were 176,432. Updated 12/12/2007 *bf updated 12/12/07.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 20mph, the steering wheel locked, the vehicle crashed and the air bags deployed but did not inflate. The vehicle proceeded to crash into 2 parked cars. Injuries were sustained to the driver and passenger's hands, back and feet. Both occupants were wearing seat belts. The police responded and provided a written report. The insurance company inspected and deemed the vehicle totaled. There was additional property damage to the parked vehicles.
The consumer was making a left hand turn when the ignition lock cylinder fell onto the floor. The steering wheel locked up and the consumer was forced to come to a stop. The dealer had been contacted. Please describe further. *jb
While turning left out of a parking lot the car pulled hard to the right and ending up going over the concrete medium. I could not control the vehicle as if the steering locked up.
While traveling at 50 MPH engine check light came on. Engine stalled, and steering locked up. Consumer felt that this was very unsafe because driver was unable to steer properly.
Steering wheel lock up while driving.
While driving vehicle at various speeds or turning, the steering wheel would lock up without any warning. Would have no control of vehicle. When steering wheel locks up, vehicle would go into a slide. Can turn vehicle off & restart it & steering wheel would work just fine. Has taken to dealer & was informed that the rack & pinion needed to be replaced. Called the manufacturer & nothing was done. Claims imagination. This has happened at least 4 different times so far. A very dangerous situation.
Steering wheel locked causing loss of control due to a defective air bag.
Steering wheel locked up,brakes failed to operate properly resulting in an accident, no deployment of air bags during collision.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Ford Escort steering lock-up
Which Ford Escort years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1999 (4 complaints), 1998 (3 complaints) and 1997 (2 complaints).
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