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2018 Ford Escape Steering Problems

28 owner-reported steering complaints from NHTSA data

28
Complaints
3
Crashes
Jan 2020Dec 2018
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (28)

criticalSTEERING
Filed: Jan 2025

The steering of the vehicle completely went out with NO warning lights/no warning whatsoever. If this had happened at speed or a sharp turn, this would have likely resulted in a collision. There are only 50,000 miles on the vehicle, so there is no way that the steering should completely go out.

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NHTSA #: 11636478
criticalSTEERING
Filed: Feb 2023

Wife was driving our 2018 Ford Escape out of a parking lot. Steering wheel locked up and vehicle displayed a “Steering Assist Fault” warning light. She was unable to steer vehicle, which nearly caused accident before she was able to stop vehicle.

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NHTSA #: 11509597
criticalSTEERING
Filed: Jan 2023

The power steering suddenly stopped working on my 2018 Ford Escape when I turned my car on, with an odometer reading of under 26,000 miles. A "Steering fault" message suddenly appeared. If I had been driving on the highway or interstate at the time, this could have resulted in a serious and deadly accident.

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NHTSA #: 11504310
criticalSTEERING,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Jan 2023

There have been several instances of the vehicle completely shutting off while sitting idle and at red lights. I took it to the dealership and there is coolant leaking into the cylinders causing it to misfire. This is very dangerous and could cause the car to run hot or burn up!

NHTSA #: 11501727
criticalSTEERING,SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jul 2021

You may want to investigate this. I own a 2018 Ford Escape which I purchased new. Two week ago the left rear passenger window was broken out.

NHTSA #: 11423598
criticalSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Nov 2018

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.

NHTSA #: 11152488
highSTEERING
Filed: Mar 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The contact stated that the steering wheel was turned to the left; however, the steering wheel independently turned to the right.

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NHTSA #: 11650601
highSTEERING
Filed: Mar 2025

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.

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NHTSA #: 11646682
highSTEERING
CrashFiled: Apr 2023

The contact owned a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 12 MPH while approaching a speed bump, the vehicle lost the power steering and the hill assist warning light illuminated. The steering wheel became stiff causing the vehicle to flip completely over onto the roof of the vehicle.

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NHTSA #: 11517871
highSTEERING
Filed: Jun 2022

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.

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NHTSA #: 11467311
highSTEERING
Filed: Sep 2019

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.

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NHTSA #: 11254561
highSTEERING
Filed: Dec 2018

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.

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NHTSA #: 11162510
highSTEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
CrashFiled: Dec 2018

I was driving home 11-28-18 5:40pm pst when my vehicle suddenly swerved hard to the right; I had no control, & it caused me to hit a parked unoccupied car. There was no warning. I had not hit any object nor pothole.

NHTSA #: 11160538
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Apr 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the message "Steering Assist Fault - Seek Service" was displayed , and the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact's husband assisted the contact in driving the vehicle to an independent mechanic.

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NHTSA #: 11653518
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Jan 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact stated that the steering wheel seized, with the steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred.

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NHTSA #: 11637406
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Feb 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40-50 MPH, the "Power Steering Loss" message was displayed. The contact pulled to the side of the road until someone associated with the contact could drive the vehicle.

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NHTSA #: 11570808
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Nov 2022

My car at 49000 miles had a steering malfunction that when driving the steering wheel became too hard to turn, I took it to Ford schomp in Aurora to get that fixed and also get the recall attended, after a week they told me that the part was in backorder and that they don't have a date to get my car fixed, Since the part was not available I decided to pick up my car aince I was paying too much for a rental and I did not know for how long, so when I went to pick up my car they charged me for the diagnosis and the fee for restocking, even when they did not have the part available.

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NHTSA #: 11493562
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Nov 2022

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.

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NHTSA #: 11492667
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Aug 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 60-65 MPH in a straight forward lane, the steering wheel would independently steer to the right with resistance. There was no warning lights illuminated.

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NHTSA #: 11479003
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Aug 2022

I have had intermittent steering problems on my 2018 Ford Escape where the steering wheel will lock up. I have been at stoplights and intersections where I had to wait for traffic to move so that I would not hit anyone. It usually rectified itself when I started the car in motion.

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NHTSA #: 11478707
mediumSTEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Apr 2021

Coming down the freeway in nevada, it began to feel like we ran over something in the road over and over. There was a shaking in the steering/wheels so felt like it keep hitting bumps in the road. It progressively got worse.

NHTSA #: 11408686
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Feb 2021

Vehicle steering stiff and does not unlock after starting. Must work moving steering wheel force able to unlock to drive. Also makes noise when driving and turning the wheel.

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NHTSA #: 11396142
mediumSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Filed: Jun 2019

2018 escape purchased march 2018. April 2018 after driving on highway while decelerating down off ramp the following warning messages began flashing: hill start assist unavailable, steering assist not operational, and 911 assist not operational. This happened several times until dealer was able to get vehicle into service schedule.

NHTSA #: 11220494
lowSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Feb 2023

I bought the vehicle in July of 2019 with approximately 20,000 mi on it. I have never touched or adjusted the steering wheel, and I'm the only one to drive the vehicle. My daughter has gotten her temps and I allowed her to drive the vehicle last night.

NHTSA #: 11507354
lowSTEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Filed: Sep 2022

Transmission fault notification appeared on the screen while on the highway. Vehicle unable to maintain speed and has "bumping" when attempting to drive it. Poses a safety threat because I was unable to maintain speed while driving.

NHTSA #: 11483124
lowSTEERING
Filed: Feb 2022

Driving home after leaving car at my daughter's house. Very cold last night and it was left outside. Steering was a bit tight on the ride home.

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NHTSA #: 11453671
lowSTEERING
Filed: Jan 2020

I bought 2018 ford escape with 6k miles on it. After one week "steering assist fault service required" message appears and goes on display panel during start and after putting in drive mode. The steering get locked.

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NHTSA #: 11292425
lowSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
CrashFiled: Sep 2018

Went to stop on wet road traction control kicked in wheels locked up causing me not be able to guide myself off the road from hitting car it front slide the whole car shut down doors locked causing me to not be able to get out had to kick the door open and my phone was hooked up to the bluetooth and no cops were contacted like I was told it would be!

NHTSA #: 11128379

Other 2018 Ford Escape Issues