2012 Ford Escape Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 140about this part
- Share
- 23%of 604 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 140 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Ford Escape, 23% of the 604 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving the car the steering locks up. I have to pull the call over, shut the car off and restart the car sometimes several times before the power steering comes back. I have been told this is common problem. Why was this not a recall?”
NHTSA complaint #11342378, filed 2020-07, 160,000 miles“Power steering went out while I was driving could not steer at all! Could not get the vehicle out of traffic, finally turned the ignition off and started the car again and my steering returned. This is a known issue with the 2008-2011 year models and they were recalled. Why hasn't a recall been done on the 2012 model?”
NHTSA complaint #10808607, filed 2015-12, 61,000 miles“My power steering went out while I was driving to work. I was pulling into a parking garage. Luckily I was not on the freeway. I started the car about 3 hours later and it was fine. I took it to the dealership and they said it was the torque sensor. I mentioned the recall on the 2011s and the guy blew it off...thankfully they didn't have to replace the whole steering column. It would have been 2500.00. Instead it only cost me 775.00.”
NHTSA complaint #11153499, filed 2018-11, 100,000 miles“I was making a left turn when my power steering quit. At first, I thought my car had turned off but it was still running. Returned home(about a mile) and the car steering wasn't working and was difficult to steer. Called my dealership and they said bring it into be diagnosed. After turning key off and on, discovered that I again had power steering. 2011 escapes were recalled for this same problem. But dealership said it would be $2600 to fix! Not likely!”
NHTSA complaint #11280406, filed 2019-11, 136,000 miles“When driving the car would completely shut off, the check engine light would come on, and I lost control of steering and acceleration. I had to try to get over to the side of the road. The car would usually turn back on. I had to take it back into the Ford dealership 4 times for them to figure out what was wrong with it, as they thought they had fixed it each time.”
NHTSA complaint #10542293, filed 2013-09, 41,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10058224Mar 1, 2015Ford 2008-2012 escape/mariner: bulletin information regarding steering control module with dtc b2278, not required to have steering column replaced.
- 10058196Mar 1, 20152008-2012 ford escape/mariner: service information involving the power steering control module with dtc b2278- steering column replacement is not required.
- 10054916Feb 7, 2014Ford/mercury: if diagnostic code b2278 is stored in power steering control module (pscm), it needs replacing with torque sensor service kit that is available and if not, does not…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 8% |
| 2022 | 6 | 3% |
| 2021 | 4 | 1% |
| 2020 | 18 | 1% |
| 2019 | 16 | 3% |
| 2018 | 32 | 2% |
| 2017 | 49 | 2% |
| 2016 | 73 | 6% |
| 2015 | 81 | 7% |
| 2014 | 151 | 7% |
| 2013 | 303 | 11% |
| 2012 | 140 | 23% |
| 2011 | 411 | 31% |
| 2010 | 423 | 20% |
| 2009 | 828 | 49% |
| 2008 | 1,127 | 57% |
| 2007 | 15 | 6% |
| 2006 | 20 | 4% |
| 2005 | 49 | 4% |
| 2004 | 26 | 5% |
| 2003 | 44 | 8% |
| 2002 | 70 | 7% |
| 2001 | 58 | 6% |
| 2000 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2012 Ford Escape
160 complaintsEngine
73 complaintsVehicle speed control
70 complaintsBody and structure
68 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
66 complaintsOther or unknown
46 complaintsElectrical system
42 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaintsSeat belts
19 complaintsSuspension
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Ford Escape
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology