Should I buy a 2022 Ford Escape with documented steering problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented steering issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2022 Ford Escape steering problems

moderate Owners of the 2022 Ford Escape have filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →

Complaints

Recalls

Avg fix

$700

steering complaints on the Ford Escape, by model year
Model year	steering complaints
2018 Escape	30
2019 Escape	16
2020 Escape	18
2021 Escape	4
2022 Escape (this page)	4

Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins

The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.

Service Bulletin SSM 51812 Jul 2023

Some 2020-2022 Escape/Corsair, 2021-2022 Bronco Sport, and 2022 Maverick vehicles built on or before 23-Mar-2022 may exhibit a hard, stiff, and/or difficult to turn condition due to a lack of power steering assist during engine start-up with U3000 diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored in the PSCM. Using the latest version of Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) tool, select and run the PSCM - Reset the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) application. After PSCM reset, perform an ignition cycle. Update the PSCM to the latest software level using FDRS tool. If the U3000 DTC returns, continue with diagnostics and repair direction using Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 211-02 > Power Steering

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin SSM 51255 Dec 2022

Some 2020-2022 Escape/Corsair, 2021-2022 Bronco Sport, and 2022 Maverick vehicles may exhibit a hard, stiff, and/or difficult to turn condition due to a lack of power steering assist during engine start-up with various U3000 diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and/or U3000:66. To correct this condition, using the latest version of Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) tool, select and run the PSCM - Reset the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) application. After PSCM reset, perform an ignition cycle. Update the PSCM to the latest software level using (FDRS) tool. If DTCs U3000 returns, continue with diagnostics and repair direction using Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 211-02 > Power Steering

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

What owners are reporting 0 most recent

Had steering trouble with your 2022 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 2022 Ford Escape?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 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?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

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.

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/2022/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.