Power steering cuts out or goes heavy

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering rack (27 reports), the EPS motor or module (3 reports) and the column (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the steering system covers the 2014 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the steering system on the Escape

None of these investigations covers the 2014 model year.

What owners paid

20 of the 112 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,000 to $2,500.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 52,000 and 100,000 miles, from the 82 reports that gave a mileage.

What owners wrote

“My daughter was backing out of driveway and said the steering was difficult to turn and felt locked. The steering assist fault came up on screen. She parked car and didn’t drive. My husband tried backing out of driveway as well and said the steering was hard to turn. He then put it in park and tried again and it drove fine.”

Filed Jun 9, 2023 · 107,674 miles

“The vehicle will get a steering assist fault message and go into limp mode immediately giving you no time to pull to the side of the road. Please make ford do something about the steering issues on these vehicles. These escapes are too dangerous to drive.”

Filed Apr 20, 2023

“Received a message on dashboard about a steering assist fault all of a sudden. The steering wheel is hard to move.”

Filed Feb 20, 2023

“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 350.00 car rental.”

Filed Nov 30, 2022

Other problems on this car

• Check engine light or misfire 316 reports
• Engine stalls or loses power while driving 304 reports
• Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 139 reports
• Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 126 reports
• Transmission fails or needs replacement 107 reports
• Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 97 reports
• Vehicle fire 97 reports
• Doors, latches or locks fail 60 reports
• Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 51 reports
• Fuel pump failure 33 reports
• Seat belt or seat problems 33 reports
• Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 32 reports
• A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 28 reports
• Battery dies or the car will not start 27 reports
• Airbag warning light or recall 26 reports
• Multiple warning lights come on at once 25 reports