2008 Ford Escape Hybrid steering complaints

Filed May 9, 2011 · Brakes, Steering · 41,000 miles · CA

The ABS light and the brake light came on when I turned on the car. The brakes felt different.

Filed Mar 14, 2011 · Steering · 26,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape hybrid. The contact was driving approximately 70 MPH when the steering locked abnormally and he was unable to control the vehicle due to a disability. The contact would allow the vehicle to coast off road before attempting to restart. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer three times and they repaired the entire electric steering assembly each time. The failure would recur within three years. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised the contact to trade the vehicle. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.

Filed Dec 24, 2010 · Steering · 55,668 miles · CA

While driving at about 50 miles per hour on a two lane undivided highway, I tried to turn the steering wheel to the right to follow a curve but the steering wheel would not turn. The steering wheel felt locked, as I was drifting over the center line into the oncoming traffic lane, I quickly hit the brake to slow the car, and proper steering resumed. Even the short term loss of steering can and will result in an accident, injury, or death. A safety recall needs to be considered on these vehicles with electric power steering.

Filed Nov 19, 2010 · Steering · 33,000 miles · CA

I have a 2008 ford escape hybrid. While driving downhill and while braking, power steering seemed to fail completely for 3-5 seconds. Steering did not lock completely, it seemed, but it took real strength to move it as I was going around a gentle curve. I'm not sure my wife could have done same. Potentially very dangerous. Car is with dealership now.

Filed Aug 17, 2010 · Steering · 35,000 miles · CA

Steering wheel locked at 12,000 miles and a third time at 35,000 (once in between) for a total of three times. Tire wear very odd, touchy braking.

Filed May 26, 2010 · Steering · 38,701 miles · TN

I have a 2008 ford escape hybrid. While turning I have lost steering, the steering wheel becomes difficult to turn and the vehicle did not turn, it lasts approx 5 seconds and then works again, this has happened two times in 4 days and once almost causing me to crash into another vehicle. I took escape to ford dealership where I was told they could not do anything because they can not find the problem. They said they tried to recreate it and were unable to do so (they only drove my escape 2 miles the entire 2 days they had it). I have noticed, always while driving straight, that sometimes when the engine switches from gas to electric there is sometimes a sudden difference in steering wheel tension, almost like the power steering turns off for a few seconds.

Filed Apr 13, 2010 · Steering · 44,000 miles · KY

While slowing down to make a turn onto another street, the steering wheel 'locked' and would not turn. I jammed on the brakes to stop before hitting the vehicle that was waiting to pull out. I pulled hard on the steering wheel and it finally moved. After that, it went back to normal operation. This is a very dangerous situation. It has not done it since, but makes me nervous when driving it. I have not contacted the ford dealer yet.

Filed Mar 14, 2010 · Steering · 12,000 miles · AR

Lost complete steering control twice while driving.

Filed Feb 19, 2010 · Steering · 28,000 miles · CO

While return home on i70 freeway going downhill at approx. 70mph the electrical assisted power steering quit working. The vehicle was very hard, but not impossible, to steer going around a curve. This only lasted a few seconds then it started working again...

Filed Nov 24, 2009 · Steering · 15 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 ford escape hybrid. He also owns a fleet of 2008 and 2009 ford escape hybrid vehicles. The vehicle intermittently lost power steering. Usually after the vehicle restarts, steering became less difficult. A technician from the dealer stated that the fleet of vehicles are warranted for only 36,000 miles. The steering columns on the fleet of vehicles were replaced for $1,000.00 each. The repair did not remedy the failure. He was advised by the manufacturer to file a complaint with the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was 15. The VIN was not available. The current mileage was 60,000.