Power steering loss

Hi, I'm one of the auto experts on RepairPal's Car Genius team! This is definitely a situation that needs immediate attention. The fact that the steering is not responding at all makes this a serious safety concern that goes beyond just a warning message. On your 2016 Ford Escape the complete loss of steering response combined with that warning message strongly suggests the electric power steering motor or its control module has failed entirely rather than just reduced assist. This generation Escape has had known issues with the electric power steering system, and a complete failure like this can happen suddenly. I would strongly advise against driving this vehicle until it has been properly repaired, as steering is the most fundamental safety system on any vehicle and driving without it puts you and everyone around you at serious risk. Please have the vehicle towed to a qualified shop rather than attempting to drive it. If you need any further advice or would like help finding a trusted RepairPal shop in your area or even getting an appointment booked, please feel free to call us at 877-913-1554 or check out https://repairpal.com/certified