Right front tone ring cracked causing ABS to malfunction and inability to brake safely. Part is a very common failure point and Ford should address this issue. *tr
2007 Ford Escape steering problems
moderate 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 28 steering complaints filed for the 2007 Ford Escape, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 28 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Power steering failure is the dominant problem in this cluster. Owners report sudden, complete loss of power steering assist at speeds ranging from idle to 70 mph, usually accompanied by a yellow wrench warning light and "SERVICE POWER STEERING" message. The steering wheel becomes extremely stiff and nearly impossible to turn by hand. Many failures occur during parking maneuvers or while stopped at lights, creating dangerous situations in traffic.
The power steering module is the chief culprit. Owners cite replacement costs near $1000. Critically, modules fail again shortly after replacement—some within a day—including instances where dealers installed used modules. Steering pumps fracture repeatedly and contaminate the rack with metal shavings, requiring replacement of both. The steering wheel also seizes outright in separate failure modes, including while stopped or during turns, sometimes causing loss of vehicle control and crashes.
Owners note Ford issued recall 14S05 (NHTSA 14V284000) covering 2008–2011 Escapes for power steering, yet 2007 models remain excluded despite identical failures occurring in vehicles built during the recall's manufacturing window. One owner reported a torque sensor failure causing steering wheel shake, another paid $1200 years earlier for sensor-related power steering repair that later recurred.
Steering racks require replacement after contamination or as primary failures, and lower control arms and ball joints wear prematurely. Subframe corrosion and a cracked front axle round out reported steering-system defects.
Same Ford Escape steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Power Steering Module Failure
The power steering module fails intermittently or completely, causing loss of power steering assist and requiring the wheel to be turned with manual effort. Owners report the yellow wrench warning light and 'SERVICE POWER STEERING' message appearing on the dashboard. Some modules fail repeatedly even after replacement with used or new units.
When: Various mileages from 13,000 to 160,000 miles; failures occur while driving at speeds from low to 70 mph, during parking maneuvers, and while stopped
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power steering assist; Steering wheel becomes stiff and extremely difficult to turn; Yellow wrench warning light illuminates; Dashboard message 'SERVICE POWER STEERING' or 'SVC POWER STEERING' appears; Loud noise when attempting to turn; Module fails again shortly after replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Module replacement costs cited by owners range from $1000 to near $1000; some dealers replace with used modules which fail again within a day; one owner paid $1200 at independent shop two years prior to recurrence
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued recall 14S05 (NHTSA 14V284000) for 2008–2011 model year Escapes, but 2007 models are excluded despite owners reporting identical failures and same manufacturing period (after August 18, 2006); Ford Customer Service case numbers issued but claim status unclear
Steering Pump Fracture
The steering pump fractures repeatedly, a known issue the dealer acknowledged as a component 'known to continuously fracture.' Metal shavings from the fractured pump contaminate the steering rack, requiring replacement of both pump and rack.
When: At 49,000 miles, with pump replaced multiple times before final failure
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering failure after pump replacement; Metal shavings visible in steering system; Steering rack contamination from pump debris
Repairs/costs cited: Steering pump replaced three times; dealer ultimately recommended steering rack replacement due to metal contamination from repeated pump failures
Steering Wheel Seizure
The steering wheel locks up or seizes suddenly, either while driving or stopped, preventing steering control. This occurs independent of power steering module failure in some cases.
When: At 25 mph (one case); at 60 mph (one case); while stopped at light or in park (other cases)
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel suddenly becomes locked or seized; Vehicle stalls when steering seizes while driving; Loss of vehicle control during turns; Steering wheel shakes while parked
Repairs/costs cited: One case diagnosed as torque sensor failure requiring replacement; one case required steering column replacement at estimated $1500–$2000
Torque Sensor Failure
The torque sensor fails, causing the steering wheel to shake or malfunction. The dealer identified this as the failure cause in at least one complaint.
When: At 129,165 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel shakes while vehicle parked in gear
Repairs/costs cited: Torque sensor replacement required; vehicle not repaired at time of complaint
Steering Rack Failure
The steering rack requires replacement, either as a result of metal contamination from pump failures or as the underlying cause of steering difficulty and hissing noises.
When: Various mileages; one case at 42,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel difficult to maneuver while turning; Abnormal hissing sound from steering column; Loss of steering control leading to crash
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion replacement required; one owner crashed into another vehicle after steering failure and was advised rack replacement was needed but repair not completed
Lower Control Arm and Ball Joint Wear
The driver-side lower control arm and ball joints wear or fail, contributing to steering difficulty. These components were replaced at a dealer but failure recurred.
When: At 42,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel difficult to maneuver; Continued steering problems after component replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Driver-side lower control arm and ball joints replaced; steering problems persisted
Front Subframe Corrosion
The front subframe rusts and corrodes completely, compromising structural integrity and steering control. A prior recall addressed this issue by adding metal reinforcement, but the same part continues to rust in later years.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Complete rust-out of subframe
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle parked and not repaired; owner notes prior recall added metal piece that has continued to rust
Driver-Side Front Axle Crack
The driver-side front axle cracks suddenly while driving, triggering warning lights and requiring immediate replacement.
When: Mileage not specified; occurred while driving on a curve
Symptoms owners cite: Warning lights illuminated on instrument display; Loss of steering control along curve
Repairs/costs cited: Front axle replaced immediately
Synthesized from 28 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2007 Ford Escape?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2007 Ford Escape?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 28 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 25 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 49,000 and 152,000 miles, with the median around 103,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 49,000; a quarter make it past 152,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Ford/Escape.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.