CarComplaints.com Notes: The top problem trend for the 2014 Escape is transmission failure at around 70k miles.
This is relatively low mileage for an expensive transmission failure ($4,500 average to fix), but unless the trend becomes more established, we are only awarding the 2014 Escape our "Beware of the Clunker" badge for now.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,549 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
At mileage 56,449 alert came on "steering assist failure" and I had no power steering. I drove directly to Coconut Point Ford in Estero, Fl. 10/31/2022. Part was on backorder throughout the U.S. I was able to pick up my repaired auto on 11/18. Forums have mentioned multiple issues with this model with power steering but as of yet no recall for the 2014 Escape. Total bill $3,250.17 and $350 car rental.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the power steering assist fault message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and no error codes were retrieved. The dealer contacted the manufacturer for assistance, and the manufacturer determined that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
Driving in my neighborhood, the steering wheel got locked and appeared in the cluster a message: -€œSteering assist fault-€ Service required Turn it off the suv Then I turned on and drive back to my house
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Assist Default" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that no issues were found. However, the failure reoccurred intermittently. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the failure occurred and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the steering gear assembly was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
- Wintersville, OH, USA
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The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on several occasions the vehicle lost power steering functionality after starting the vehicle. The contact stated that after a few miles the power steering regained functionality, however, the failure was ongoing. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated and a "steering fault, service soon" message was displayed. The warning lights would turn off after several minutes however, the power steering functionality was not available. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was locked. The "Steering Assist Fault" message was displayed. The contact stated that as he turned off and restarted the vehicle, the message was no longer displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the mechanic was unable duplicate the failure. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the warning message remained displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact they could not assist as the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
I'll be driving along and sometimes going 30 miles an hour sometimes going up to 65 70 miles an hour on the interstate And while I'm accelerating the car will start shaking like the the whole thing wil. In the only way that it stops is if I let off the accelerator and go slower speed accelerate you know what it means there's that magic speed but like if I have my cruise control on then it has to be at a certain speed because otherwise it will just start shaking and shaking and shaking
The power steering goes out intermittently when turning, which has almost caused me to be in several wrecks. There are no warnings lamps or messages displayed. This seems to be a problem noted by numerous other people on the Internet with this year.
Vehicle got a steering assist fault on information center. At that time, loss of power steering. It is electric power steering for this vehicle. Was unable to steer vehicle at this time. Did not cause a diagnostic code. Searched online and many issues with this vehicle. Ford says nothing is wrong. Someone will get hurt if this is not fixed. The amount of people having this issue is a manufacture defect and should be fixed as such.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an unknown speed, the power steering assist fault warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact's daughter used excessive force to drive the vehicle home. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The contact was informed that the steering rack assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact filed a case and was referred to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the power steering assist fault warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact used excessive force to move the vehicle off the road. Due to the failure, the contact initially had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer. The contact was informed that the steering rack assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving various speeds, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle with the steering assist fault service required warning message illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer and the mechanic performed a steering gear update on the vehicle. Recently, the contact stated that after reversing out of her driveway, the failure returned as the same warning message reappeared on the instrument panel. Upon restart, the vehicle resumed normal operation; however, the failure would intermittently occur while driving at various speeds. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
Initially the only problem I had was the back up camera. It kept disconnecting, with a failure (error) code. Soon Afterwards, The vehicle loss all power steering abilities. The tires have been replaced with new tires. The vehicle locked up when parked and I was unable to move it when in drive. I called for assistance from a towing company. They inflated my tires. I took the vehicle to a certified mechanic. They were unable to resolve the issue. They said they couldn-€™t find them problem. Today, I (just) returned from an out of state vacation with my 2 grandchildren in tow, and loss power steering again while going down a steep and curvy mountain side. I found a pullout, parked and I called my daughter to come pick up the kids (several hours away) for their safety. I also had my husband assist me with handling and driving the vehicle with out power steering. Again several hours away. The Mountains & cliffs were a threat and a danger to all of us on the road. So we worked through a plan of push & pull. I-€™ve reported the problem multiple times to the local FORD dealership & manufacture with no positive response or suggestions. The vehicle is a 2014 with only 52,722 miles. I need help, please.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" Rack and Pinion Gear Assembly. Yes, but already inspected by Ford Dealership. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Stopped to get gas while on a trip, when turned the engine on, the steering wheel would not turn. It was completely locked with no prior warning. If this had happened on the interstate, I could have wrecked with children in the vehicle. I am not even sure I would have been able to turn the wheel to pull off to the side of the road. VERY dangerous. Had to be towed 24miles to closest Ford dealership and spent the night in a strange town as everything was closed and couldn't get rental as the supply was low in the tiny town. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, dealer service center confirmed problem and informed me it would cost $3K to fix on my 2014 Ford Escape, which only has 54K miles on it. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes, by Ford's service center, where the vehicle is being repaired. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" No warning until after the problem occurred. The reading stated, "Steering Assist Fault Service Required" when I started my car to a locked steering wheel.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 mph, there was an abnormal crunching sound coming from the steering wheel. In addition, the steering wheel ceased without warning. The vehicle was restarted and the steering functionality returned. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
The steering wheel has became very hard to use. The alert "steering fault service now" came on. Is there a recall on this? the man I talk to said its probably electrical and its dangerous to drive. Looking for information thank you
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Bonita Springs, FL, USA