2009 Ford Escape Hybrid: steering wheel locks up

Filed Jun 6, 2019 · Steering · 100,000 miles · CA

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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v284000 (steering). No further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Nov 23, 2018 · Steering · 211,000 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Jan 23, 2018 · Steering · 120,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 ford escape hybrid. The contact stated the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Oct 19, 2017 · Steering · 62,000 miles · PA

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

Filed Oct 29, 2013 · Steering · 73,000 miles · CT

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.

Filed Jan 10, 2013 · Steering · 114,750 miles · CO

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.

Filed Dec 1, 2010 · Steering · 15,000 miles · CA

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.