Car steering torque sensor not working properly causing power steering assist to be lost compromising electric power steering (eps) assist and increasing the risk of an accident. Ford has a recall 14S05/2014-193, but they are saying my car is not included on this recall at this time although it is exactly the same issue I am having now.
Ford Escape Hybrid power steering loss problems
133 of the 1,747 owner complaints about the Ford Escape Hybrid describe loss of power steering, most of them for the 2008 model year.
- owner complaints
- 133
- worst model year
- 2008
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,700
- typical mileage
- 112,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
Loss of power 31Engine failure 6Jerking 5Steering lock-up 4ABS 2Won't start 1Warning lights 1
Trouble codes mentioned
B2278 3P2278 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while 65 MPH on the freeway, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the power steering assist failed to operate. The contact stated that after turning off and restarting the vehicle, the power steering functionality returned; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the steering control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacture was made of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was transferred by the manufacturer to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
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 the federal safety agency 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 federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started and was still in park(P) in the driveway, the steering wheel failed to turn and seemed to be seized. The contact stated that the "Power Steering Assist" warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) recall repair had been completed in 2014 and that he had to pay to for Electronic Power Steering Assist repair out of pocket. The contact stated that he was the second owner of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 207,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle experienced electrical power steering failure. The check engine and brake system light warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring for several years. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the torque sensor and the steering column assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH, the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact stated while starting the vehicle later that day, the power steering was no longer functional, and the message was displayed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the "Power Steering Failure" message displayed, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local service center who determined that the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 202,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that she was able to continue driving by using physical strength to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked at the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer and to the federal safety agency hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Vehicle lost power steering and acceleration in the middle of a busy intersection
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Ford Escape Hybrid power steering loss
Which Ford Escape Hybrid years have loss of power steering problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2008 (45 complaints), 2009 (39 complaints) and 2005 (12 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix loss of power steering on the Ford Escape Hybrid?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,700 (median of 17 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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