NHTSA Complaint #11424120 — 2015 FORD ESCAPE

Steering assist failed with no Warning (message came on when it happened). There had been no warnings at all prior and the day before I had transported my granddaughter to her riding lesson via freeway and side roads with no problems. This day I backed out of my driveway for quick trip to the store and when I went to pull forward and straighten the car into my lane, steering became very, very stiff, requiring all my strength to pull into position. In researching this problem we found that this is an ongoing problem with Fords design. I had my car towed to my mechanic who scanned the codes, inspected the electronic steering gear, fuse. They had to remove and replace the complete steering gear. Total cost was $2,028.81 My main complaint is that even though Ford maintains we have the ability to continue to steer the car, it is very difficult and I feel should this happen under the right conditions a driver and the passengers could end up seriously injured or worse. Again NO WARNING prior to loosing the power assist. Had I lost my steering in freeway traffic I don't know that I would have been able to get to a safe spot to get off the road.