There is a problem with the front sub-frame in these Escapes. It tends to rust through, separate, break the tie rods resulting in severe steering failure.


Ford issued recall #14S02 that places a brace in the attachment of the tie rod so that if and when the frame breaks there might be some limit to the severity of the steering problem and hopefully limit the extent of damage to property and lives. THIS RECALL IS NOT INTENDED TO PREVENT THE FRAME FROM BREAKING OR TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED FRAMES. It is meant to limit the extent of the steering problem.


Even if you have had the recall repair done, your frame can still break and you can have a severe steering problem. This happened to me 3 months after the recall work. One person lost steering and crossed the highway median to roll into oncoming traffic, another had an unanticipated left turn across 2 lanes of traffic, others have run off the road into fences and buildings.


Ford does not accept responsibility for the problem with the frame. It seems they are only trying to limit their liability when the frame fails. The dealer wants $2000 from me to repair the frame.


Please go to the National Transportation Safety Board website and file a complaint about this issue. State that you want Ford to issue a new recall that replaces the front Sub-frame. This will only happen when the NHTSB gets enough complaints. On the website you can download the technical bulletin the tells the dealership how to install the brace. It also lays out how big the holes in the frame are acceptable for a passed inspection.


You might also consider writing your State's Attorney General filing a consumer safety complaint.


Again, even if you had the recall work done, your frame can still break and you can still have severe steering failure.