2017 Ford Escape Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 49about this part
- Share
- 2%of 2,702 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 49 complaints about the steering of the 2017 Ford Escape, 2% of the 2,702 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,500 miles. 2 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 steering wheel gets stiff (no possible to move) when practicing parking for a while. I can heard that fan speed goes up, so I am assuming the engines bay is getting hot. After moved it a little bit the wheel can go all the way to the right/left. According to the dealership the steering module is disabling because temp (too hot). Hope this never happens on a highway”
NHTSA complaint #11245501, filed 2019-08, 56,000 miles“The assisted power steering went out while driving, I lost control of my vehicle, the steering was completely gone and unable to steer while I was on a very busy highway. I was traveling at 60 MPH when this occurred. This can and will cause several deaths if not corrected immediately! Ford has had this same problem on other models, and a recall was made. This is a very serious problem, and Ford knows about it!”
NHTSA complaint #11405937, filed 2021-04, 57,000 miles“My car was running, but placed in park, and I was running to grab something from my home. After I exited the car, I noticed my car was rolling down my slanted driveway, and I ran to stop it. Unfortunately, the car hit me and ran me over resulting in a broken ankle. I believe the car slipped out of gear while it was running, and reversed down the driveway.”
NHTSA complaint #11000741, filed 2017-06, 1,500 miles“The steering wheel shakes when changing lanes at different speeds and it feels like there is no steering assist when doing this. I tried swapping tires but this didn't change things. It's really noticeable on the highway. I only have 47800 miles on the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11406378, filed 2021-04, 47,800 miles“While on the highway I got a warning steering loss pull over safely. The steering wheel was stiff. I hardly could move the wheel. It took all 200 pounds for me to pull over safely”
NHTSA complaint #11343561, filed 2020-08, 90,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10152466Nov 1, 20182013-2019 vehicles equipped with a LKS system with customer complaints of steering wheel vibration, steering pull or vehicle drift may be due to an alert and/or steering aid…
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 2017 Ford Escape
1,583 complaintsEngine cooling
509 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
391 complaintsOther or unknown
158 complaintsElectrical system
156 complaintsFuel system
94 complaintsWheels
76 complaintsBody and structure
62 complaintsBrakes
50 complaintsExterior lighting
40 complaintsVehicle speed control
31 complaintsAir bags
21 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 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