2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID Steering Problems

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 8 MPH, the steering wheel failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The steering wheel ceased to function; however, the contact was able to make a full turn of the steering wheel, and the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact was able to regain power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to two separate independent mechanics and the contact was informed that the steering wheel module needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact had the same failure three times within a month. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where the steering module was reprogrammed; however, the dealer was unable to provide a cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 260,000.

Mileage: 260,000

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving in a parking lot at 15 MPH, the steering wheel became inoperable. The steering wheel was difficult to turn. The power steering assist failure warning light was illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The local dealer and an independent mechanic were contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed as a failure with the electric power steering assist. The contact was informed that the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH and making a left turn, the steering wheel suddenly became difficult to turn. The vehicle was later taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 190,000.

Mileage: 190,000

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while stopped, the steering wheel started shaking abnormally. The vehicle then lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the power steering control module was reset; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the vehicle was experiencing similar failure as in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) and advised the contact to reach out to the dealer. The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer also stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 270,000.

Mileage: 270,000

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist failed, causing the steering wheel to be difficult to maneuver. The power steering sensor failed warning message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the steering wheel would shake and vibrate before eventually the message "torque sensor failure" had displayed and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering torque sensor and possibly the steering rack were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number 14V284000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.

Mileage: 158,000

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that after his wife started the vehicle, it was discovered that the power steering assist had malfunctioned, and the steering wheel was very difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 59,746.

Mileage: 59,746

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that the steering wheel was locked after starting the vehicle. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle in for a diagnostic test. The dealer also informed the contact that there was no open recall on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was not available.

Mileage: 130,000

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that start-up of the vehicle, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon investigation, he discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) which he linked to the failure. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer where they diagnosed the vehicle with a defective steering column assembly; however, his vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact then took the vehicle an independent mechanic where they diagnosed the vehicle with the same failure and informed him that his vehicle should be covered under the recall. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred him NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the independent mechanic. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering failed intermittently without warning. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) which she linked to the failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where they informed her that an unknown sensor had caused the power steering failure. Additionally, the contact was informed that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the Vin was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTION NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 181,011.

Mileage: 181,011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED HASSETT FORD (3530 SUNRISE HWY, WANTAGH, NY 11793, (516) 785-7800) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS FAULTY TORQUE SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CARCARE IMPORT AND DOMESTIC (350 ROCKLAND RD, HENDERSONVILLE, TN 37075 (615) 822-5002) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE APPROXIMATELY 129,088. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN IN TO BE REPAIRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS BUT, THE FAILURE PERSISTED.

Mileage: 148,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST WITH THE POWER STEERING FAULT MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART ONCE THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE IGNITION WAS DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE VEHICLE FAILING TO RESTART. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED PRIOR TO HER OWNING THE VEHICLE AND THEREFORE NOT SUBJECTED TO THE FREE REPAIR. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ISSUES RELATED TO THE SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED CORROSION IN THE WHEEL WELL WHICH AFFECTED THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SUSPENSION AND THE UNIBODY CONSTRUCTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MECHANIC NEEDED TO REMOVE THE HYBRID BATTERY, THE FUEL TANK, AND THE FUEL LINE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AFTER DRIVING FOR SOME TIME, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOST TORQUE SIGNAL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

Mileage: 78,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES, AND WAS INTERMITTENT THE FIRST TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOMETIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT DID NOT ALWAYS CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTH BAY FORD (LOCATED AT 5100 ROSECRANS AVE, HAWTHORNE, CA 90250, (301) 584-7641) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

VEHICLE HAS HAD INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER ASSISTED STEERING FUNCTION. SYSTEM PROVIDES NO WARNING OF STEERING FUNCTION LOSS. CURRENTLY THE STEERING IS SHOWING EVIDENCE OF THE STEERING TORQUE MOTOR FEEDBACK LOSS. PRODUCES SMALL OSCILLATIONS IN STEERING WHEEL WHILE SITTING IN PARK OR AT IDLE.

Mileage: 149,015

THE POWER STEERING ASSIST HAS GONE OUT. FORD DID A RECALL ON THIS PART BUT IF YOU WEREN'T HAVING ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT AT THE TIME THEY DID THE RECALL THEY WOULD JUST FLASH YOUR ECU AND CALL IT GOOD. THIS DOESN'T ACTUALLY PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM HAPPENING. SO EVENTUALLY THE POWER STEERING FAILS LIKE IT DID TO ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, WHICH IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THEY THEN WANT TO CHARGE YOU TO HAVE THE STEERING ANGLE TORQUE SENSOR REPLACED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY FORD AT THEIR EXPENSE.

Mileage: 160,000

WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING JUST FAILED, THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME VERY HARD TO USE AND NEEDS REPLACED. I HAD FELT A SMALL CHIMY IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT A STOP A DAY OR 2 BEFOREHAND, THAT IS THE ONLY POSSIBLE WARNING,BUT DIDN'T REPEAT. IT JUST FAILED WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS IN TOWN, DASHBOARD PROBLEM LIT UP AND IS WORSE THAN A CAR WITHOUT ANY POWER STEERING. EVEN THOUGH I WAS TOLD IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT REPLACING THE POWER STEERING, THE DIFFICULTY OF IT MAKES ME WONDER HOW SAFE IT REALLY IS FOR MOST DRIVERS. DATE IS APPX, BUT VERY CLOSE TO END OF DEC 2018.

Mileage: 168,000

MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID HAS A PROBLEM WITH STARTING THE IGNITION. IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE AND WORSE FOR MANY MONTHS. I HAVE TO PUSH IT IN AND TRY OVER AND OVER BEFORE THE CAR STARTS. IT ALSO HAS SO MANY OF MY WARNING LIGHTS ON EVEN THO THE PROBLEMS FIXED OR REPLACED.

14S05 RECALL, CODE B2278 LOST POWER ASSIST SYSTEM LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS DRIVING IN A NEIGHBORHOOD AT LESS THEN 20MPH. I HAVE 154,000 MILES ON MY CAR. THIS FAILURE MADE IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO STEER MY CAR. IF I HAD BEEN ON A MILDLY BUSY STREET AND NEEDED TO TURN AT AN INTERSECTION I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IT. I WAS MOMENTS FROM GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAN NOT IMAGINE HOW I COULD HAVE HAD ANY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. FORD SHOULD BE REPLACING ALL THE FAILED TORQUE SENSOR. SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT!

Mileage: 154,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND A WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT AND A BYSTANDER PUSHED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,000.

Mileage: 211,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FORD ISSUED AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE POWER STEERING MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FRIENDLY FORD (2250 SOUTH RD, POUGHKEEPSIE, NY 12601, (845) 462-1900) AND NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING POWER STEERING FAILURES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY ALREADY ADDRESSED THE RECALL DURING THE EARLIER VISIT. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER TO ESCALATE HIS COMPLAINT TO A TIER 2 LEVEL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER LATER STATED THAT A TIER 2 INQUIRY COULD NOT BE DONE BECAUSE THE CASE WAS CLOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

Mileage: 155,000

I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT WHEN I FOUND THAT STEERING WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. IT FELT SIMILAR TO WHAT HAPPENED IN AN OLD CAR I HAD WHEN MY POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR HAD A LEAK. I COULD STILL MOVE IT, BUT IT REQUIRED A LOT OF EFFORT AND WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SYSTEM INVOLVED (THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM), BUT THAT IT WAS NOT ACTIVE FOR SOME REASON. THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO GO TO THE DEALER. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS A $1900 FIX. THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW MOTOR/STEERING COLUMN. THE FIRST PLACE TOLD ME IT WAS DUE TO PROGRAMMING, THOUGH. IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. THIS SEEMS INCREDIBLY SUSPICIOUS THAT I AM SUDDENLY HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS THAT THERE ARE RECALLS FOR AND THAT OTHER PEOPLE SAY THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEMSELVES.

Mileage: 120,000

THIS CAR STEERING GETS LOCKED WHILE DRIVING AND GETS VERY HARD WHILE TURNING.

Mileage: 165,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS LOW SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT PERFORMED A VIN TOOL SEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE DEALER (LONG MCARTHUR FORD, 3450 SOUTH 9TH ST, SALINA, KS 67401, (785) 823-2237) SERVICED THE RECALL. THE DEALER LATER RECOMMENDED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BE REPLACED. THE DEALER COULD NOT PERFORM THE REPAIR DUE TO AN ABSENCE OF THE NECESSARY DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE, WHICH WOULD AUTHORIZE A STEERING WHEEL REPLACEMENT OR A TORQUE ANGLE SENSOR REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: CAS-15217422. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000.

Mileage: 91,000

MY STEERING WHEEL IS VERY VERY HARD TO STEER ON MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE 2 WD. I NEED THIS FIXED BY THE DEALER & WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS PART OF THE RECALL#14S05 MY VIN IS: [XXX] . I HOPE THIS IS PART OF THE RECALL SO MY LOCAL DEALER CAN FIX IT FREE FOR ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 162,600

COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE UPON STARTING CAR AND LEAVING A PARKING SPACE.

Mileage: 144,000

POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN THE RAIN. I'VE HEARD OF OTHER CARS OFF THIS MODEL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE DO WONDER IF IT'S A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM.

Mileage: 260,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CAPITAL FORD OF CHARLOTTE (5411 TYRON ST, CHARLOTTE, NC 28213) AND THE DEALER UPDATED THE SOFTWARE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, WHICH CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING TO FAIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE RECALL TICKET WAS CLOSED OUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE STEERING COLUMN VIBRATED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM HUDSON FORD (1201 W MAIN ST, LEXINGTON, SC 29072) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR COST WAS EXPENSIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: CAS -13885914D8B9P5. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 ON NOVEMBER 14, 2004. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE REMEDY WAS INADEQUATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

UPON START VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER STEERING. WE WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART AND POWER STEERING WOULD BE WORKING AGAIN. PROBLEM BEGIN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS, TOOK INTO LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND DETERMINED WE NEEDED A NEW STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 09 FORD ESCAPE AND WHEN I SPOKE WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE, FORD WAS UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING.

Mileage: 137,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE OF THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND ON COUPLE OF TIMES AND THEN THE STEERING ABILITY RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CHAPMAN FORD LANCASTER DEALER OF PETERSBURG PENNSYLVANIA THAT DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. ...UPDATED 11/15/17 *BF UPDATED 11/28/2017*JS

Mileage: 62,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, WHILE IDLE AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERABLE HOWEVER, THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED ADDITIONAL EFFORT TO BE MOVED. THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE ISSUE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000.

Mileage: 102,000

MY FORD ESCAPE 2009 STARTED EXPERIENCING POWER STEERING ISSUES AND ENDED UP WITH NO POWER STEERING. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY WERE OF NO HELP WHATSOEVER. I THEN PROCEEDED TO CONTACT NHTSA AT 1-888-327-4236 AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE AGENT GAVE ME A COMPLAINT NUMBER AND SUGGESTED TO CONTACT THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION AT 877 382 4357, WHICH I INTEND TO DO WHEN THEIR OFFICE OPENS. FROM MY RESEARCH THIS VERY ISSUE HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR MY MODEL & MAKE BOTH IN THE UNITED STATES & CANADA. MY PARTICULAR MODEL VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS POWER STEERING ISSUE BOAT BUT FORD HAS NOT BEEN PROACTIVE. I STRONGLY SUGGEST EVERYONE DO THE SAME COMPLAINT FILINGS AS I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT FORD - ON THEIR OWN - WILL NOT FESS UP TO ANYTHING AND WILL PROVIDE NO ASSISTANCE.

Mileage: 102,000

POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN 2017 (RECALL 14S05 WAS APPLED IN 2014)

Mileage: 90,000

WAS GETTING IN VEHICLE TO GO WORK. STARTED ENGINE AND PUT INTO REVERSE TO PULL OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED HOW HARD IT WAS TO TURN STEERING WHEEL. COULDN'T TURN STEERING WHEEL HARDLY AT ALL. PULLED BACK UP ON DRIVEWAY AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF. STARTED VEHICLE AGAIN AND TRIED AGAIN. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE BUT THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING. IT WAS LIKE DIVING A OLD MANUAL STEERING VEHICLE; VERY STIFF AND TOOK ALL MY MIGHT TO MAKE TURNS. DURING THE DAY; WEDNESDAY CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP AND TALKED WITH A SERVICE MGR. WHO LOOKED UP INFORMATION ON OUR SERVICE RECORDS. HE TOLD ME WE HAD BROUGHT THE 2009 ESCAPE HYBRID FOR THE 2014 RECALL BACK IN SEPT. 2014 AND HAD IT SERVICED. THEY HAD RESET THE COMPUTER AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. IT IS NOW APRIL 2017 AND HAVE HAD POWER STEERING FAILURE AND FORD SERVICE MGR. TOLD ME TO BRING IN VEHICLE THE WOULD HOOK UP AND RUN DIAGNOSTIC ON VEHICLE WHICH WILL COST ME $127 PLUS THE COST OF WHATEVER IS WRONG. FORD WILL NOT COVER ANY COSTS THAT MAY BE INCURRED. MY VEHICLE DID NOT GIVE ANY WARNING OF POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE I DROVE IT OR DID IT EVER HAVE ANY SENSOR LIGHTS COME ON. AS THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT WAS RECOGNIZED BY NTSB AND FORD TO CAUSE RECALL IN PAST AND FORD DIDN'T FIX PROBLEM SO WOULDN'T HAPPEN THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO COVER ANY REPAIRS AND COSTS SO I DO NOT HAVE ANY ACCIDENTS WITH THE VEHICLE NOW OR IN THE FUTURE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY EVERY TIME I GET INTO DRIVE THAT I COULD HAVE POWER STEERING FAILURE.

Mileage: 55,155

I AM ASKING THAT THE INVESTIGATION INTO FORD RECALL 14S05 BE REOPENED AS THE REPAIR OPTIONS WERE NOT SUFFICIENT TO ENSURE THE VEHICLE BE CORRECTLY REPAIRED AS WELL AS INSURE THE SAFETY OF VEHICLES OPERATION. VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL JITTERING, BUMPING AND VIBRATING WHILE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING. FORD RECALL 14S05 PERFORMED ON VEHICLE 12/17/2014. AT THE TIME FORD CHOSE NOT TO REPLACE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN AND ELECTED TO COMPLETE RECALL WITH ALTERNATE SOFTWARE UPDATE. ON 3/17/2017 THE SAME FORD DEALERSHIP THAT PERFORMED RECALL ON VEHICLE HAS DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN MUST NOW BE REPLACED DUE TO PART FAILURES STATED IN RECALL. BOTH THE DEALERSHIP WARRANTY ADMINISTRATOR AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE STATE THAT RECALL HAS BEEN CLOSED ON VEHICLE DUE TO DECEMBER 2014 MAINTENANCE THEREFORE THE REPAIR COSTS OF THE RECALLED PARTS WILL NOT BE COVERED.

Mileage: 112,000

WHEN DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT INDICATOR CAME UP AND VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING COMPLETELY. *TR

Mileage: 114,000

POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE ON PUBLIC ROADS. I BELIEVE THE FALURE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY STEERING TORQUE SENSOR HTAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF FORD RECALL NOTICE 14S05. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY DEALER TO ADDRESS THIS RECALL AND THE DEALER PERFORMED A "SOFTWARE UPDATE" TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. "THE UPDATE ALLEGEDLY WOULD MAKE SURE THE SUVS WOULDN'T LOSE POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD PROVIDE AUDIO AND VISUAL WARNINGS IF PROBLEMS OCCURRED. IF A DRIVER RECEIVED WARNINGS, THEY WERE TOLD TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER." THE AUDIO AND VISUAL ALERTS DID NOT OCCUR AND THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED LEAVING ONLY MANUAL UNASSISTED STEERING, MAKING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE UNSAFE.

Mileage: 95,000

I WAS DRIVING LOW SPEEDS IN A PARKING LOT AND CRASHED DUE TO A POWER STEERING FAILURE. I WAS TRYING TO TURN 90 DEGREES BUT IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL EVEN WITH BOTH ARMS. I HAD A LOW-SPEED CRASH THAT WRECKED MY FRONT END. I CHECKED WITH FORD DEALER BUT THEY STATED THE POWER STEERING RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO MY FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT THE SAME FAULTY STEERING SYSTEM IN MY HYBRID IS NOT COVERED.

Mileage: 110,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE STEERING POWER RESUMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED A COUPLE OF TIMES. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

Mileage: 110,000

WHEN DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS, BUT MORE SO AT SLOWER "CITY" SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED AND CONTROL CAN ONLY BE MAINTAINED VIA MANUAL STEERING WHICH IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND MANEUVER. THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN "REPROGRAMMED" WITHOUT ANY REPORTED SYMPTOMS IN 2014 AND HAS NOW EXPERIENCED THESE ISSUES APPROXIMATELY 10K MILES LATER. THIS REPROGRAMMING WAS DONE THROUGH A PREVIOUS RECALL PROGRAM THAT DID NOT HAVE AN ADEQUATE REPAIR TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 105,000

THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FIRST OCCURRED IN NOVEMBER 2015. I GOT AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL FORD DEALER IN DECEMBER 2015. THEY RESET THE POWER STEERING MODULE. AFTER DRIVING WITHOUT ANY ISSUES FOR TWO WEEKS, THE POWER STEERING IS GONE AGAIN. BEFORE THE RESET, SWITCHING OFF THE ENGINE WOULD REMEDY THE ISSUE, NOW I HAVE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER STEERING AND MY LOCAL FORD DEALER IS SAYING THE PART IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL AND ITS COSTING $1,600 FOR THE PART AND LABOR.

TWO MONTHS AGO, WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE INTO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR A FIRMWARE UPGRADE THAT WAS PART OF A WIDER FORD RECALL FOR SOME POWER-STEERING ISSUE. WE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY STEERING ISSUES AT ALL WITH OUR VEHICLE, BUT WE WENT AHEAD WITH THE FIRMWARE UPGRADE TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE. WELL, TWO DAYS AGO, WE STARTED OUR VEHICLE, AND STEERING WAS UNCOMMONLY DIFFICULT. WE THEN TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, AND RE-STARTED THE VEHICLE; AFTER THE RE-START, STEERING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. THEN YESTERDAY, WE STARTED THE VEHICLE, AND STEERING AGAIN WAS UNCOMMONLY DIFFICULT. AFTER TWO RE-STARTS, THE DIFFICULT STEERING PERSISTED. WHEN I SAY "DIFFICULT" HERE, I REALLY MEAN HARD -- ONLY A PHYSICALLY STRONG AND FIT PERSON COULD MANAGE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE MANEUVERING FELT SO UNSAFE, THAT I FELT COMPELLED AFTER A SINGLE DRIVE TO TAKE OUR VEHICLE INTO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING.

Mileage: 62,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING ABILITY WAS LOST COMPLETELY AND THE SERVICE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,599. UPDATED 03/11/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 04/07/16. *JB

Mileage: 62,599

MY VEHICLE HAD A RECALL 14S05 INVOLVING POWER STEERING DONE 7/23/14 YESTERDAY WHILE AT THE POST OFFICE, WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND WENT TO BACK UP THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND HANDLE. ABLE TO GET HOME WITHOUT POWER ASSIST, BUT NOW AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I UNDERSTAND THAT SINCE THE RECALL DONE WAS JUST A COMPUTER UPGRADE AND NOTHING PHYSICAL DONE, I HAVE NO RECOURSE EXCEPT TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING COLUMN REPLACE AT MY EXPENSE. THIS IS A DECEPTION ON FORD'S PART, AS MOST PEOPLE WOULD TAKE THE CAR IN FOR RECALL WITHOUT QUESTIONING THE PROCEDURE TO BE DONE. FORD SHOULD BE PAYING FOR EVERY FAULTY STEERING PROBLEM AS A MATTER OF SAFETY AND AVOIDING ANY LOSS OF LIVES

Mileage: 97,650

WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, MY POWER STEERING SUDDENLY AND COMPLETELY WENT OUT. A DASHBOARD LIGHT CAME ON WHICH READ "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT." I DROVE TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST AND THE LIST WAS "VIN SPECIFIC." I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THE PART THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT IS THE TORQUE SENSOR WHICH IS ONE OF THE PARTS SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED IN THE RECALL FOR THE 2009 ESCAPE. THE NHTSA WEBSITE CALLED THE RECALL 14S05. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT WILL COST APPROX. $900.00 TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE.

Mileage: 169,680

I INTERMITTENTLY & BRIEFLY LOOSE POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR 2008 THRU 2012 BUT THE DEALER SAID MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED THREE TIME IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS.

Mileage: 64,000

VEHICLE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE TURNING LEFT. IN 2014 MY VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR A POWER STEERING RECALL. I DID NOT HAVE A POWER STEERING FAILURE UNTIL AFTER THE SOFTWARE UPDATE. *TR

Mileage: 78,000

OUR 17 YEAR OLD SON WAS MAKING A TURN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. HE NEARLY CRASHED INTO A TRUCK DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CAR BECAME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND HE WAS TAKEN BY SURPRISE. HE ABLE TO BARELY MUSCLE THE CAR AWAY FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER AND CALLED ME (HIS FATHER). IT TURNS OUT MY WIFE HAD TAKEN THE CAR INTO FORD JUST LAST FALL TO HAVE RECALL WORK DONE ON IT, AND ONLY NOW, AM I FINDING OUT THAT THE FAULTY PART INVOLVED IN THE RECALL WORK WAS NOT REPLACED BY FORD. IN FACT, NOBODY'S VEHICLES HAD THE FAULTY PART REPLACED. THEY JUST "ADJUSTED" IT. HOW THE NHTSA COULD ALLOW THIS IS BEYOND ME. BECAUSE OF THE NEAR COLLISION THAT OCCURRED IN THIS, I WILL MOST LIKELY FILE A SUIT AGAINST FORD FOR GIVING US THE IMPRESSION THAT A FAULTY PART WAS REPLACED WHEN IN FACT IT WAS NOT. I OWN 3 FORDS AND AM TAKING THIS VERY SERIOUSLY. *TR

Mileage: 128,000

I OWN A 2009 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED HYBRID. THE PSCM FAILED. I PAID $1,322.41 TO GET IT FIXED. I READ IN MOTOR TREND THAT THERE IS A RECALL - 104765, FORD RECALL 14S05 -FOR THIS EXACT, SPECIFIC PROBLEM WITH 2009 FORD ESCAPES. I CALLED "FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE", OPENED CASE [XXX], AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL APPLIES TO EVERY CAR BUT MINE BECAUSE MY VIN WASN'T INCLUDED! HOWEVER, MY PROBLEM IS NOT WITH MY VIN, BUT WITH THE EXACT, SPECIFIC PART THAT WAS REFERENCED IN THE RECALL. FORD ADMITTED THAT IT MANUFACTURED AND INSTALLED A DEFECTIVE PSCM, BUT IS HIDING BEHIND A LAME EXCUSE THAT IT DOESN'T APPLY TO MY DEFECTIVE PSCM BECAUSE IT (FORD) NEGLECTED TO LIST MY VIN IN THE RECALL. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSURED ME THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT NHTSA BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THEM, SO I AM. I THINK THEY SAY THIS TO BLOW-OFF OWNERS WITH COMPLAINTS SO NHTSA DOESN'T FIND OUT ABOUT THEM. THEY LOST MY TRUST WITH THEIR LAME EXCUSE - "IT'S YOUR VIN THAT'S THE PROBLEM, NOT OUR DEFECTIVE PART." FEEL FREE TO CONTACT FORD AND REFERENCE MY COMPLAINT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 84,500

BRAKES HAVE GIVEN OUT, WHILE COMING TO A RED STOP LIGHT LUCK THAT NO ONE WAS AROUND WHEN I RAN THE LIGHT SENT TO DEALER THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE ISSUE BUT THEY DID A UPDATE ON STEERING AND KNOW WHEN BACKING UP STEERING GETS STIFF, CAUSING TURN RADIUS TO BECOME EXTREME,BUT ONLY DOES IT SOMETIMES.WENT BACK TO DEALER NO PROBLEM FOUND AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM.HOPING SOMEONE FIND PROBLEM BEFORE A PERSON OR PERSONS GETS KILLED!!! *TR

Mileage: 45,000

TOTAL POWER STEERING FAILURE ON START UP WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT SINCE THEN. SEEMS MOST LIKELY TO FAIL WHEN COLD. SO FAR IT HAS STARTED WORKING ONCE WARMED UP AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL WHEN THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING. I'M CONCERNED IT WILL FAIL WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I PLAN ON TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY. *TR

Mileage: 96,700

ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT ACTIVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. RESTARTING THE VEHICLE CORRECTED THE ISSUE. LUCKILY, NO SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, ONLY IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

TWO TIMES ON 2/1 THE POWER STEERING QUITE WORKING FOR A FEW SECONDS WHILE DRIVING ON A MOUNTAIN FREEWAY. THE SAFE ISSUE OCCURRED TWO OTHER TIMES IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS. THE POWER STEERING IS WORKING FIND AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STOPS AND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO GET THE VEHICLE TO TURN. VERY SCARY FOR MY WIFE IS THE ONE THAT DRIVE THIS CAR. LAST NIGHT WHEN IT HAPPENED SHE HAD TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH HER. *TR

Mileage: 116,617

2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POWER STEERING FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS DAUGHTER STARTED THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. AFTER SEVERAL STARTS, THE POWER STEERING WOULD ACTIVATE. THE PROBLEM WORSENED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS, WHERE IT WOULD TAKE DOZENS OF ATTEMPTS FOR THE POWER STEERING TO ACTIVATE, AFTER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN AT A COST OF $ 1700.00. *JB

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A WINDING ROAD, THE STEERING LOCKED AND I DID NOT HAVE CONTROL FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN IT CAME BACK. THIS HAS OCCASIONALLY HAPPENED IN THE PAST, BUT THOUGHT IS WAS SOMETHING RELATED TO THE BATTERY. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED A FEW MONTHS AGO, AND OBVIOUSLY NOT THE ISSUE. BROUGHT TO FORD DEALER. THEY SAID I THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $1300.00 PLUS. THEY SAID IT WAS A FAULTY SENSOR TO THE POWER STEERING. THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE IS NO WARNING WITH THIS AND RECOMMENDED THAT I NOT DRIVE THE CAR, EVEN THOUGH THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART, NOR DID THEY OFFER ME ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION. IF THEY VIEW IT AS THIS DANGEROUS, AND THE PART IS BACKORDERED BECAUSE IT IS SO COMMON, HOW ON EARTH IS THIS NOT A RECALL COVERED BYFORD? ARE THEY WAITING FOR ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT? I HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO GET TO WORK IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE PART. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. PERHAPS THERE IS LEGAL ACTION TO TAKE. ADDITIONALLY, THE DEALER WANTS ME TO "PREPAY" FOR THE PART. I HAVE NEVER, IN MY ENTIRE LIFE, PREPAID FOR A PART FROM THE DEALER. MY MECHANIC CANNOT FIX IT BECAUSE FORD HAS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR A THIRD PARTY TO DO THIS. THIS IS MY FIRST FORD AND WILL BE MY LAST. *TR

Mileage: 73,000

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. THE POWERTRAIN LIGHT CAME ON, MY CAR STARTED JERKING. IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED IT. IT WAS OK. THAT HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE THAT FIRST INCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 72,715

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED FOR 1-2 SECONDS THEN RETURNED TO NORMAL. THIS HAD HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST. FORD DEALER FOLLOWED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AND REPLACED A CONNECTOR. PER FORD, THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN EXISTS BECAUSE THIS HAS HAPPENED ON OTHER VEHICLES. FORD IS TREATING THIS AS A COMMON, OUT-OF-WARRANTY COMPONENT FAILURE. ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IS REQUIRED FOR SAFE OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT COULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. BECAUSE OF THIS I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE ELEVATED IN LEVEL. *TR

Mileage: 49,500

MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE (ESCAPE HYBRID) WAS BEING DRIVEN INTO A TURN AT 35+ MILES PER HOUR. THE STEERING LOCKED UP AS I ENTERED THE TURN WHICH FORCED ME TO HIT THE BRAKES AND GO SKIDDING ACROSS FULL SPEED ONCOMING TRAFFIC - I NARROWLY AVOIDED A HEAD ON CRASH, WHICH LIKELY WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN MANY INJURIES OR WORSE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST AFTER SKIDDING ACROSS THE TRAFFIC LANES IN THE SAFETY LANE AREA OF THE FAR SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER STOPPING, I FOUND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STILL 99% LOCKED UP - I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THEN AFTER A FEW MINUTES TO GAIN MY COMPOSURE, I RESTARTED THE CAR AND FOUND THAT STEERING HAD BEEN RESTORED - I DROVE HOME (NEARBY) AT A SPEED OF 25 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE FORD DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR / STEERING COLUMN / POWER STEERING SYSTEM - HAD FAILED CAUSING STEERING LOCKUP. AN ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN UNIT WAS REPLACED AT MY COST OF ~$1500. THE UNEXPECTED FAILURE OF THIS CRITICAL COMPONENT IS VERY LIKELY GOING TO CAUSE ACCIDENTS, INJURIES AND OR FATALITIES AS MORE FORD ESCAPES ENTER THE MILEAGE AT WHICH THE STEERING COLUMN / POWER STEERING FAILS AND LOCKS UP. *TR

Mileage: 114,750

THOUGHT I FELT SOMETHING STRANGE IN THE STEERING WHILE TRAVELING AT OVER 60MPH AROUND A CURVE ON THE FREEWAY. 10 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD AND AFTER TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY THE STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED. I ALMOST HIT THE ENTRY GATE. STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF LIKE DRIVING A TANK, THE EPS SYSTEM COMPLETELY FAILED. *TR

Mileage: 39,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED 08/16/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES WITHIN THE THREE YEARS SHE HAS OWNED THE VEHICLE. SHE DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT SHE DID TALK THEM AND IT SEEMED THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL, THE FAILURE ACTUALLY OCCURRED WHILE IN THEIR POSSESSION. UPDATED 08/21/12

Mileage: 45,000

THE AUTOMOBILE STEERING BECAME STIFF AND WOULDN'T TURN. I HAD TO MANUALLY TURN THE CAR AT THE CORNER. IT HAPPENED WITHIN THE WEEK 3 TIMES. I TOOK THE CAR TO BE CHECKED AT THE DEALER WHO EXPLAINED THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP ME BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE INCIDENT.MY CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY ONLY TO 36,000 MILES SO I AM CONCERNED AS TO THE SAFETY OF THE STEERING ON HIGHWAY AND ON SURFACE STREETS, AS IT HAPPEN PERIODICALLY. *TR

Mileage: 34,655

FIRST OCCURRENCE DRIVING AT APPROX 45 MILES PER HOUR MADE A LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT AND LOST POWER STEERING. WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO PARKING SPOT, TURN OFF CAR THEN RESTARTED AND POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. SECOND INCIDENT WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX 50 MILES PER HOUR MADE A LEFT TURN, AGAIN LOST POWER STEERING, WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP CAR SAFELY DUE TO TRAFFIC AND HAD TO CONTINUE WITHOUT POWER STEERING FOR APPROX 1 MILE UNTIL I COULD SAFE STOP THE VEHICLE. TURNED OFF CAR AND RESTARTED AND POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. *TR

Mileage: 54,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE POWER STEERING LOCKED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A VIN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

Mileage: 15,000

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR, THE STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED UP ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS ... ONCE RECENTLY, AND ONCE ABOUT A YEAR AGO. IN BOTH INSTANCES, I TRIED TO TURN THE WHEEL TO FOLLOW A CURVE BUT THE WHEEL WAS LOCKED. I QUICKLY HIT THE BRAKE TO SLOW THE CAR, AND PROPER STEERING THEN RESUMED. I'M VERY FRIGHTENED THAT STEERING MAY NOT RECOVER IN FUTURE INSTANCES, OR THAT EVEN THE SHORT TERM LOSS OF STEERING WILL RESULT IN A WRECK, ACCIDENT, INJURY, OR DEATH. *TR

Mileage: 21,000

ON OCT 25TH 2008 WE PURCHASED A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID FROM ENCINITAS FORD. ON APRIL 11, 2009(MGE 3809.4)WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-45 UP A SMALL INCLINE AND THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED HARD TO THE RIGHT AND PUT ME INTO THE OTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC BESIDE ME. THIS SAME INSTANCE JUST HAPPENED AGAIN ON 12/10/09 (6856.0 MGE) BUT I WAS GOING BETWEEN 30-35 UNDER BATTERY AND TRYING TO CURVE TO THE LEFT WHEN THE STEERING STIFFENED UP AGAIN QUICKLY AND VEERED ME TO THE RIGHT OFF OF THE ROAD. I DROPPED THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP ON 12/14/09 AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG TO COME AND GET IT. I AM SO UPSET THAT THEY THINK THIS IS AN ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION. IF I WERE GOING EVEN 5 MILES PER HOUR FASTER, I WOULD HIT A VERY LARGE OAK TREE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, AND AM VERY AFRAID THAT MY CHANCES FOR AN ACCIDENT TO MYSELF OR OTHERS HAS JUST INCREASED 10-FOLD! I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON 12/14/09 AT 4:30PM (PAC TIME) AND FILLED OUT THEIR ONLINE COMPLAINT FORM. ON 12/16/09 AT 9:17AM, A REP FROM FORD CALLED ME BACK AND SAID HE IS OPENING A "CLAIM" TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. HE WAS HEADED OUT OF TOWN AND ASKED IF HE COULD HAVE UNTIL TUESDAY, 12/22/09 TO RETURN A CALL TO ME BETWEEN 12:00-4:00PM I SAID THAT WAS FINE. *TR

Mileage: 6,856