2011 Ford Escape steering problems
407 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the steering on the 2011 Ford Escape — 31% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The steering shaft torque sensor unexpectedly malfunctioned while driving resulting in a loss of steering. There was no indication that this would happen, no check engine light was on, and no symptoms prior to the incident. The vehicle is undrivable due to a lack of steering and was diagnosed by an…”
filed May 20, 2026
“I was traveling at 20 mph and slowed to make a turn when the steering wheel took two hands to turn the wheel ... I knew it was a power steering issue. Happend all of a sudden with no warning and I was stuck in the middle of an intersection trying to turn around to go back home”
filed Apr 30, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect…Campaign 14V284000 · May 29, 2014
Steering problems in other Escape years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Escape | 1 | 5% |
| 2022 Escape | 4 | 2% |
| 2021 Escape | 4 | 1% |
| 2020 Escape | 18 | 1% |
| 2019 Escape | 16 | 3% |
| 2018 Escape | 32 | 2% |
| 2017 Escape | 49 | 2% |
| 2016 Escape | 73 | 7% |
| 2015 Escape | 79 | 8% |
| 2014 Escape | 151 | 7% |
| 2013 Escape | 302 | 11% |
| 2012 Escape | 137 | 23% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2011 Ford Escape
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.