C2302 on 2020-2021 Ford Escape: Chafed Wiring Harness Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2020-2021 Ford ESCAPE

The fourth-generation Ford Escape and its platform mates (Lincoln Corsair) have a known issue where a specific wiring harness (part family 14290) was routed in a way that it can rub against the moving steering shaft u-joint. This design flaw is the subject of multiple Ford TSBs. Unlike other vehicles where a C-code might point to a specific sensor, on this platform, C2302 is a strong indicator of this very specific and well-documented chafing problem.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Tap your situation to follow the diagnostic path that matches what you're seeing on this vehicle.

Symptoms You May Notice

• ABS light on
• Traction control light on
• "Hill Start Assist Not Available" message
• "Pre-Collision Assist Not Available" message
• Service Engine Soon / Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light)
• Electric park brake warning light
• Multiple seemingly unrelated warning lights appearing simultaneously
• Erratic shifting or drivability issues if other systems on the same harness are affected

Most Likely Causes

1. 14290 Wiring Harness Chafing on Steering Shaft 🔴 High Probability As documented in Ford TSBs SSM 50245 and SSM 50116, the harness was routed too close to the steering shaft u-joint from the factory, leading to friction and eventual wire damage. This causes a loss of Voltage Reference (VREF) and triggers multiple DTCs.
   How to confirm: Visually inspect the wiring harness located above the steering shaft u-joint, near the upper brake pedal mount. This requires looking under the driver's side dashboard with a flashlight. Look for signs of rubbing, abrasion, or exposed copper wires on the harness where it passes over the metal steering shaft.
   Typical fix: Repair the damaged wires using solder and heat shrink or approved wire connectors. Wrap the repaired section and the surrounding area in high-quality anti-abrasion cloth tape (such as Tesa 51036 or 3M friction tape). Secure the harness with zip ties, pulling it away from the steering shaft and fastening it to a stationary component like the brake pedal support bracket to create clearance and prevent future contact.
   Est. part cost: $5-$25

Rare But Worth Checking

• Failing Battery or Poor Ground Connection: Low system voltage can sometimes cause a cascade of communication and electrical fault codes across various modules. While less likely than the harness issue, it's a simple check worth performing if the harness appears undamaged.
• Faulty ABS Module: A failure of the ABS module itself could theoretically cause this code, but this should only be considered after the known TSB issue with the wiring harness has been completely ruled out, as it is a much more expensive and less common failure.
• Rodent Damage: Animals chewing on wires can cause identical symptoms to the chafing issue. An inspection may reveal nesting materials or chew marks on various harnesses in the engine bay or under the dash.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Scan the vehicle for all Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and save the report. Note if other codes listed in TSBs 50245 or 50116 are present.
2. Turn the vehicle off and ensure it is safely parked.
3. Using a flashlight, locate the steering shaft u-joint under the driver's side dashboard, above the brake pedal.
4. Carefully inspect the large wiring harness (the 14290 harness) that runs directly above this area. Look for any signs of contact, rubbing, or damage where the harness might touch the rotating steering shaft. The chafe point is often on the bottom of the harness.
5. If damage is found, disconnect the battery negative terminal.
6. Carefully cut back the factory harness tape or loom to expose the individual wires. Inspect for broken or chafed wires with exposed copper.
7. Repair any damaged wires with solder and heat shrink tubing for a durable, insulated connection. Crimp-style butt connectors are a viable alternative.
8. Wrap the repaired section and the surrounding area with high-quality, anti-abrasion cloth tape (like Tesa tape) to provide a durable protective layer.
9. Securely fasten the harness away from the steering shaft using zip ties. A common and effective anchor point is a nearby stationary bracket for the brake pedal assembly. Ensure there is at least 1-2 inches of clearance from the steering shaft through its full range of motion.
10. Reconnect the battery, clear all DTCs, and start the vehicle to ensure no warning lights return.
11. Perform a test drive, turning the steering wheel lock-to-lock to confirm the repair is effective and no new issues arise.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Wiring Harness Repair Supplies — This is for repairing the chafed wires in the existing harness, which is the most common and cost-effective solution.
  Trusted brands: Tesa (for anti-abrasion tape, e.g., 51036), 3M (for friction tape and connectors), Heat shrink tubing and butt connectors
  OEM price range: $10-$30
  Aftermarket price range: $5-$25
• Engine Compartment Wiring Harness (OEM #LX6Z-14290-PB (example for 1.5L FWD, verify with VIN)) — Only needed if the harness damage is too severe to be safely repaired. The exact part number prefix/suffix varies by VIN, engine, and options. This is a very expensive and labor-intensive repair.
  Trusted brands: Motorcraft
  OEM price range: $700-$1200

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P2122 — This code for the Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor is listed in the same TSBs, as its wiring may be part of the affected 14290 harness.
• P0504 — This Brake Switch Correlation code is also mentioned in TSB SSM 50245, indicating its circuits are likely in the same harness.
• C0040 — This Brake Pedal Sensor code is another fault listed in TSB SSM 50245, pointing directly to the cluster of wires near the brake pedal and steering column.
• U-codes (e.g., U0418, U0146) — Communication codes are common when a wiring harness is damaged, as it can interrupt the flow of data between different control modules.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• SSM 50245: Notes that various electrical codes, including C2302, can be caused by the 14290 harness contacting the steering shaft u-joint, leading to a loss of VREF.
• SSM 50116: A similar bulletin that also identifies the 14290 harness chafing on the steering shaft as a cause for C2302 among other codes.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• TSB SSM 50245 and SSM 50116 explicitly call out that the 14290 harness may contact the steering shaft, causing C2302 and a host of other electrical DTCs. This is the primary documented issue for this code on this vehicle.
• Owner forums for the 2020+ Escape are filled with reports of a 'Christmas tree' effect on the dashboard, where multiple unrelated warning lights appear at once. This is a classic symptom of this specific harness chafing issue.