2016 Ford Escape Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 73about this part
- Share
- 6%of 1,170 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,900miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 73 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Ford Escape, 6% of the 1,170 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,900 miles. 4 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.
“The power steering control module (PSCM) that replaced my original PSCM failed while I was driving with my 4 year old in the car and I lost power steering completely. We have been told it was reproduced by the dealership service center at 1hour 32 minutes of the car running. The car is at the dealership for the 3rd time for this issue and the warning light that came on was Steering Assist Fault Service Required.”
NHTSA complaint #11546994, filed 2023-09, 111,396 miles“Power steering fault message popped up while driving the vehicle on the interstate and we lost power steering. We were forced to take the car to a shop 10 hours away from our home to be replaced. We will be making the 20 hour round trip to get the vehicle next week as we has to rent a vehicle to get home.”
NHTSA complaint #11231102, filed 2019-07, 47,354 miles“The 2016 Ford Escape did not have this problem when I first bought it, I checked for it. It now has approximately 15,000 miles has developed what I would call torque steer. It pulls to the right upon fairly hard or sudden acceleration from a stopped position. My authorized Ford dealer says it is normal for the vehicle to do this and claim there is no problem and no repairs needed.”
NHTSA complaint #10934054, filed 2016-12, 15,000 miles“While driving down the interstate at 70 MPH my vehicle died. No power steering. Very dangerous. The screen said 'engine fault'. Managed to get to the shoulder and it restarted right away. Drove a little further, same thing. Managed to get it home but it did this 4 times over the course of the weekend. It is at the shop today but there are no lights on now so I don't know if they will be able to find the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10907535, filed 2016-09, 11,874 miles“3 times this last three days I've gotten a steering assist fault after starting vechile.first time steering was difficult for only a very short period.2nd and 3rd times I had to stop and restart vechile then it was ok.all three times where from startup.”
NHTSA complaint #11057687, filed 2017-12, 28,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10095995Nov 17, 2016Some 2010-2016 epas equipped vehicles may exhibit steering related noises. The workshop manual (wsm) diagnostic procedures have been updated in section 211-02. When diagnosing…
- 10204994Mar 1, 2016Online automotive service information system for March 2016
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 2016 Ford Escape
321 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
250 complaintsEngine
200 complaintsOther or unknown
158 complaintsElectrical system
95 complaintsFuel system
71 complaintsEngine cooling
57 complaintsVehicle speed control
32 complaintsWheels
32 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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