# Ford Escape power steering warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 178 - **Most complaints:** 2015 (52) - **Related recalls:** 0 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 178 owner complaints about the power steering warning light on the Ford Escape (2015-2026 models), most for the **2015** model year (52). No recall covers the parts behind this light, so a repair is usually at the owner's cost. Drive to a shop this week: If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. ## Ford Escape power steering warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the power steering light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 52 | 1135 | 5% | | 2016 | 47 | 1180 | 4% | | 2017 | 35 | 2701 | 1% | | 2018 | 17 | 1823 | 1% | | 2019 | 10 | 599 | 2% | | 2020 | 9 | 1839 | 0% | | 2022 | 4 | 388 | 1% | | 2023 | 3 | 139 | 2% | | 2024 | 1 | 89 | 1% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Is there a recall for the Ford Escape power steering warning light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. The Ford Escape has 59 recalls for other parts in 2015-2026; see the [Ford Escape page](/vehicles/ford-escape) or check your VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). ## What Ford Escape owners report - "Yesterday 10/27, five day after ford had my car for 85 days and we are throwing all the codes YET AGAIN for a 4th time but now umongst the stalling and the codes and the braking concerns we are also now having power steering concerns. This has now endagered the lives of me my husband and my children under numerous..." -- owner of a 2024 Ford Escape, complaint filed 2026 - "Dealer found the "whole FD-CAN network will not communicate" and traced the issue to an intermittent open circuit in the Power Steering Control Module. Additional photo + video evidence available upon request." -- owner of a 2023 Ford Escape, complaint filed 2026 - "This caused an immediate loss of propulsion, power steering, and power braking. I was forced to navigate the vehicle across multiple lanes of high-speed traffic with no engine power, nearly resulting in a fatal collision. Background and Safety Risk: This is the second terminal engine failure this vehicle has..." -- owner of a 2022 Ford Escape, complaint filed 2026 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the power steering warning light means The power steering light means the car has detected a fault in the steering assist system, and steering may feel much heavier, especially at low speed and when parking. On most newer cars with electric power steering, a low battery or charging voltage is a common cause. On older cars with hydraulic steering, low fluid or a slipping belt is more likely. You can still steer without assist, but it takes much more effort. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low battery or charging voltage** (common) 2. **Electric power steering motor or module fault** (common) 3. **Low power steering fluid (hydraulic systems)** (common) 4. **Steering torque or angle sensor fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Power steering warning light](/warning-lights/power-steering). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Ford Escape power steering light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. A repair is usually at the owner's cost unless the car is under warranty. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, since new recalls are added often. ### Which Ford Escape years have the most power steering light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Escape model years have the most complaints mentioning the power steering warning light, with 52 for 2015. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Ford Escape with the power steering light on? Drive to a shop this week. If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. If steering becomes heavy, jerky or locks up, or the light is red, pull over and stop driving; have the car towed, because sudden loss of assist at speed or in a tight turn can cause a crash. ### How do I check if my Ford Escape has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Ford dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Ford Escape warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/ford-escape): 23 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/ford-escape): 27 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/ford-escape): 27 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/ford-escape): 59 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/ford-escape): 2245 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/ford-escape): 1520 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/ford-escape): 19 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/ford-escape): 36 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/ford-escape): 57 complaints ## Power steering warning light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ram-1500): 1061 complaints - [Chevrolet Colorado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-colorado): 810 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ford-explorer): 498 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-silverado): 389 complaints - [Honda Civic](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-civic): 387 complaints - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-cr-v): 362 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chrysler-pacifica): 252 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-wrangler): 248 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-grand-cherokee): 231 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-accord): 220 complaints ## Ford Escape - [Ford Escape specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/ford-escape) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ford-escape Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.