What is the recall on the Ford Escape steering wheel?
The Ford Escape has been the subject of a recent recall related to its steering wheel. This recall is an important issue for Escape owners to be aware of, as it could potentially impact the safety and handling of the vehicle. In this article, we'll provide a detailed overview of the Ford Escape steering wheel recall, including the affected models, the nature of the defect, and the steps owners should take to address the issue.
Overview of the Ford Escape Steering Wheel Recall
In February 2023, Ford issued a recall for certain Ford Escape models due to a potential issue with the steering wheel. The recall affects approximately 100,000 Escape SUVs from the 2020-2023 model years. The issue stems from a problem with the steering wheel attachment, which could potentially become loose or detach entirely, posing a serious safety risk to the driver and other occupants of the vehicle.
Affected Models and Defect Details
The Ford Escape steering wheel recall applies to the following models and model years:
- 2020-2023 Ford Escape
According to the recall notice, the issue is caused by a manufacturing defect in the steering wheel attachment. Specifically, the bolts that secure the steering wheel to the steering column may not have been properly tightened during the manufacturing process. This could cause the steering wheel to become loose or detach entirely, which would result in a complete loss of steering control, significantly increasing the risk of a crash.
Steps for Owners to Address the Recall
If you own a Ford Escape from the affected model years, it's important to take the following steps to address the recall:
- Contact your local Ford dealership to schedule a free repair appointment.
- During the repair, the dealership will inspect the steering wheel attachment and tighten the bolts to the proper specification, ensuring a secure connection.
- The repair should take approximately one hour to complete, and there is no cost to the vehicle owner.
- Until the repair is completed, it's recommended to avoid driving the vehicle to minimize the risk of the steering wheel becoming detached.
Ford has stated that they are not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this issue, but it's crucial for Escape owners to take the recall seriously and schedule the necessary repair as soon as possible. Driving with a loose or detached steering wheel could lead to a catastrophic loss of vehicle control, putting the driver, passengers, and other road users at serious risk.
What is the current recall on Ford Escape?
The most recent major Ford Escape recalls are for: a potential underhood fire risk due to cracked fuel injectors in certain 2020–2022 models with a 1.5L engine (recall 25S76), an issue with the rearview camera not displaying an inverted image on some 2025 models (recall 25V161000), and a potential high voltage battery short circuit that could lead to a fire or loss of drive power in some 2020-2024 models (recall 24V954000). Owners can check for open recalls on their specific vehicle by entering the VIN on the Ford support website.
Recent recalls
- Cracked Fuel Injectors (2020-2022 Escape): A recall (25S76) was issued for 2020–2022 Ford Escapes with 1.5L engines due to a risk of underhood fire from cracked fuel injectors. A software update is available to help detect cracked injectors, and a new remedy is being developed for the issue.
- Rearview Camera Malfunction (2025 Escape): A recall (25V161000) affects certain 2025 Escapes where the rearview camera may display an inverted image in reverse, reducing visibility.
- High Voltage Battery Issue (2020-2024 Escape): Recall 24V954000 addresses a manufacturing defect in the high voltage battery cells of certain 2020–2024 Escapes. This can cause a short circuit, leading to battery failure, a potential loss of drive power, or an increased risk of fire.
- Engine Failure (2020-2023 Escape): Some 2.5L HEV/PHEV models from 2020-2023 are part of a recall for engine failure risk. The failure can release engine oil and fuel vapor, potentially leading to an underhood fire.
- Other recalls: Other recalls have been issued for issues like misaligned cruise control radar modules and incorrectly manufactured rear brake linings, but the most recent and significant ones are listed above.
How to check for recalls
- Visit the Ford support website and enter your vehicle's 17-digit VIN.
- Ford will also send a notification by mail if your vehicle is affected by a safety recall.
- You can also check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website.
Is there a recall on Ford Escape power steering?
A 2014 Ford recall for specific model year 2008-2011 Ford Escapes (and Mercury Mariners) addressed potential loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist due to a faulty steering torque sensor. This is a separate issue from a more recent 2021 Australian recall, which addressed potential loss of steering control due to a manufacturing defect in the power steering assembly, notes www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au. Ford dealers reprogrammed the power steering control module (PSCM) to resolve the 2014 recall.
This video explains the Ford power steering recall and related issues: 37sWCPO 9YouTube · May 29, 2014
2014 Ford Escape power steering recall
- Issue: A faulty steering torque sensor could cause the electric power steering (EPS) system to revert to manual steering mode, leading to a loss of power assist while driving.
- Affected vehicles: 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles.
- Solution: Ford dealers reprogrammed the power steering control module (PSCM) and updated the instrument cluster module. In some cases, the entire steering column may need to be replaced if the software update isn't sufficient, says this JustAnswer forum.
- Action: Contact your local Ford dealer with your VIN to see if your vehicle is affected by this recall and to schedule the free repair.
What is the Ford steering wheel recall?
Ford issued a recall for 115,539 Super Duty pickups due to an issue with the steering column. According to documents associated with the recall, the steering column upper shaft may separate from the steering column. The recall covers certain F-250, F-350, and F-450 pickups from the 2020 and 2021 model years.
What is the Ford steering Assist Fault recall?
Reasons For the Ford Steering Recall
Electrical Short Circuits: Power steering control modules fail when the wiring is defective, causing a sudden loss of steering assistance. The driver may not be warned by immediate alerts on the dashboard after such failure.
