Vehicle lost power steering while driving. While vehicle is idling, steering wheel pulses back and forth slightly, but occasionally turns right by itself. Ford states that this is an issue with the sensors on the steering column wearing out, but is not a safety issue? I guess brake failure is not a safety issue either! The "fix" is only 14-1500.00. This should be a mandatory safety recall repaired at ford motor company expense.
2008 Ford Escape steering complaints
Page 36 of 39: complaints 1,031 to 1,060 of 1,127, newest first, as owners wrote them.
This morning I was backing up from my drive way. Than when I put it in drive the steering wheel would not turn. It scared me being that I was in the street so I turned the car off and turned it back on and the steering wheel worked. But this is scary if I had been somewhere else and there had been traffic. I have had my ignition worked on by ford several times. They are telling me that this is another problem and it has nothing to do with what is going on. They are telling me that it is going to cost me around $1600.00. This should not have happen.
While backing out of a parking space the steering locked on my wife's 2008 ford escape. She called me to come help her as she was not able to move her escape. Upon arrival I inspected the vehicle for obvious signs of problems, none were noted. I tried to move the steering wheel; I was quite shocked that the steering wheel could not be moved. Since I am 6'4" and 300lbs most things that I grab move?the steering wheel should have moved, just without the assist of the power assist. The vehicle was towed to a ford dealership for them to diagnose the issue. I was informed that the sensors in the steering column are bad. The dealership stated that they were able to reset the computer and that the steering now functions. The dealership informed me that I have two choices drive the vehicle and see if the issue repeats or replace the entire steering column ($1,500.00). I explained that this is in fact a safety issue as the steering failed completely and locked up as I was unable to move the steering wheel. Ford customer care was contacted and they have offered no assistance in this issue and claim that they have no knowledge of any issues pertaining to this problem on record. This statement by ford customer care seems to be highly suspect as a quick internet search found many identical issues. The complete failure of the steering system is beyond unacceptable! If someone with my strength cannot move the steering wheel than how is someone the size of my wife supposed to move the steering wheel if and in this case when the steering system fails. Ford needs to accept that there is in fact a major safety problem related to the failure of the electronic steering system of the ford escape. Complete failure of the steering is not acceptable. Again this was a complete failure of the steering system!!!
1/22/13-started my vehicle up at 8am and the power steering would not engage, thinking is was due to cold, I stopped the vehicle and restarted the vehicle up, power assist engage and I drove the vehicle approx 1/4mile when I attempted to make a left turn the power assist failed and nearly collided my vehicle onto oncoming traffic due to steering failure; I immediately drove home and parked the vehicle. On 1/23/13 I drove the vehicle very carefully to a nearby ford dealership (approx 2 miles from home). I was advised by the service representative (after a diagnostic test) that the steering column requires replacement due to the electronic module failure as it is part of the vehicles electronic power assist system (epas) and was quoted a repair price (>1400.00). I did some online research and found that this type of steering failure is extremely common with this vehicle and the epas and many many complaints have been registered by consumers on this exact steering problem. Due to the unpredictability, potential danger and the commonality of this type of complaint with this type of vehicle, could this warrant a recall of this vehicle or at least a service bulletin of this potentially catastrophic steering issue?
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the power steering failed without warning. The contact mentioned that it became very difficult to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 65,000.
Twice in the last month, while making sharp turn and u-turn, we lost our power steering. The first time was when turning into a parking lot, but the second time was in traffic. Each time it took all of our strength to get the steering wheel turned so that the vehicle could be moved out of traffic. Both times we put vehicle in park and turned off ignition. When re-started, power steering was fine. This is a very dangerous vehicle failure. We were fortunate that we were able to get out of traffic each time, but may not be as lucky the next. When we got home, we googled 2008 ford escape steering problems to see if there had been a recall that we were not aware of, and we were astonished to see how many other people had reported this same failure. A recall needs to be issued before someone loses their life.
Driving down highway and lost power steering. Had to use all strength to exit the highway. Stopped and restarted car and everything was fine. Began driving toward home, but during a stop light steering wheel began to shake (while idle) and lost power steering again. I have extended warranty and this is not covered. This is very dangerous and ridiculous.
My ford escape is my family and work vehicle. One morning I started it after it was parked in cold overnight, engine started but the steering was stuck, thought battery was bad. Restarted several times until steering loosened up. Drove car and every stop light or while idling, the steering wheel vibrated so hard and have to hold it steady, thought, time to have my control arm replaced again. Took it to a friend's car shop , said, they've been having costumers bringing their ford escapes lately with the same problem. They couldn't fix it. Told me to go to my dealership. Dealership diagnosed it , electronic steering problem $90 for diagnosis, $1100 parts and labor, about 3-days to order for parts. Too expensive and dangerous, needs to have a recall.
The car involved was a 2008 ford escape. I was driving at about 45 and I lost complete control of my power steering. I was unable to turn steering wheel. I used all my force to get to the side of the road. I then turned the car off and turned it back on my steering was then fine. I got back on the road and I lost all of my power steering again. This steering problem is very dangerous and recall must be enforced!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact stated when she started the vehicle the steering wheel began to fail. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnostic testing and they stated the entire steering column needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure and current mileage was 91,999.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact stated the steering wheel became hard to turn while driving in traffic. The steering wheel returned to its normal position when the vehicle was turned off and restarted. The failure was experienced several times. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 84,000. Updated 3/20/13 *cn the consumer stated there was a complete loss of power steering when accelerating forward from an idle position. Updated 04/17/13
Drove vehicle yesterday, no problems. This morning started to drive and lost power steering. Made it back home but could have been bad if on highway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving, the steering failed. The contact also stated that a strange noise emitted from the engine compartment while making a turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the steering column needed to be replaced and the computer needed to be reprogrammed. The technician also stated that there were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 88,133.
For the last 6 weeks, my steering column would shake when car was idling. I attempted to back out of a parking space pn 12-4-12 and the power steering did not work. I restarted the engine and it began working. Since then, this has happened at least once a day. On 1-4-13, the power steering became no longer functional. The only place that could repair this problem is at the local ford dealership in my town. It is well known dealerships charge more for repairs than private garages. The cost will be $1300 and it will take 2 to 3 days to complete the repair. Technician stated the sensor in the steering column was unable to be replaced, so the entire steering column would have to be replaced. I do routine maintenance on my vehicle and am curious why this problem wasn't involved in a recall. It is a definite safety issue!! While searching online, I found many others who experienced the same problem. While my car was under an extended warranty, another steering problem occurred, but the warranty covered the repair expense. Fortunately, I have enough in savings to cover this repair, but am not pleased about it. My car is only 5 years old and I have never had this problem with any other vehicle I have owned.
Unable to steer vehicle due to loss of power steering, after restarting vehicle problem went away but returned while idling at a stop. The steering wheel began pulsating and moving on it's own. Had to have vehicle towed to repair facility because it was unsafe to drive. Steering would unexpected loose power assist.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel seized as the power steering assist failed without warning. The contact mentioned that she shut off and restarted the vehicle, and it resumed normal function. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the electric steering and the torque sensor were defective and needed to be replaced. However, they referred the contact to the dealer to verify the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 150,000 and the current mileage was 168,000.
While sitting in traffic my steering wheel suddenly turned on its own slightly. As I started to move forward I realized the steering was extremely difficult and appeared to have no power steering. I was just near the dealership so I was able to get it in to them. It turns out the steering column is electronic and broke requiring very expensive repairs. I researched this problem on-line and I am finding it to be a similar complaint across the country including with others who were actually moving at the time of the column failure. Many at low mileage (less than 55,000). I feel this is being ignored by ford as a safety issue and that it is a known defect that ford should be responsible for fixing.
The power steering has been locking up in my 2008 ford escape and also when idling at a stand still my steering wheel pulses/vibrates. I have to turn the vehicle off, and restart it. Some times that fixes it and some time it doesn't. Should be a recall with all these power steering problems, this is not safe!
The vehicle began to not have power steering at start-up a few times, with the problem being corrected by turning the vehicle off then on again. The day of december 27, the vehicle was turned on and steering wheel jerked/pulsated from side-to-side, but power steering was still working. We then tried to make it home one night when the power steering completely stopped working while on the highway. The vehicle was brought to the ford dealership and problem was found to be the power steering column. Luckily the ford escape, with 88,500 miles on it, had an extended warranty covering the $1400 in repairs.
Was driving out of the garage from the dealership after the scheduled oil change, the steering wheel was not moving. I stopped the car and walked back to let them know, one of the tech's said the engine had been cleaned and therefore I had to wait for some wires to dry. Have had steering problems since then. When starting engine, I need to turn off and on 2 or 3 times for steering wheel to release and when stopped (but idling) steering shakes and makes crackling sounds. It all started at the shamaley dealership, in el paso, texas. Car has been there since yesterday. Never had problems before until I took for an oil change on 11/27/12.
While attempting to leave work this morning I started my vehicle and when I went to back out of the driveway I was unable to steer the vehicle. If this would of happened while driving on the road the outcome would not be good.
While driving my car out of a parking lot the power steering failed to work. It was very difficult to turn the car and the issue remained while driving at higher speeds. Upon turning the car off and restarting it, the power steering worked briefly but the steering wheel will shake back and forth while making a loud noise when the car is stopped but running.
Power steering was interrupted, leaving me to rely on manual steering. Power steering returned after the car ignition was shut off and the car restarted. I took the car to the dealer on monday 12/17, and was told that a "code" said that a sensor in the steering column had failed, and that the entire steering column had to be replaced, at a cost of about $1400. Dealer service rep told me the steering might "lock-up" while I was driving if I didn't have this fix. I understand from an internet search that many ford escapes have this power steering problem, and that replacing the steering column does not fix the problem. It seems to me a recall is in order.
My daughter was entering an interstate from a cloverleaf when the steering failed and locked which forced the vehicle across to lanes of traffic. Luckily there was not an accident and she was able to get it to the berm and turn off the motor.. After the initial shock of almost being killed she restarted the car and the steering worked. This is the second time the steering has failed. I contacted the dealer and they said they have never heard of this before, even though I contacted them when it happened the first time! This is dangerous and ford should be made to replace all of the steering columns on the 2008 escapes since this is the year they were first introduced on this vehicle and by the amount of complaints and reports I have discovered. The federal safety agency has issued recalls on vehicles with far less dangerous problems in the past.
Power steering is failing in the middle of turns causing the vehicle become very difficult to steer. The vehicle must be shut off and restarted to regain power steering function. Failure is intermittent. Based on web research this failure is very common. I feel that this could cause a accident given the right situation.
First thing this morning I drove vehicle approx. 1/4 mile to intersection. Steering was fine. Waited for traffic to clear and then attempted to turn. Power steering had completely failed. I was able to return home but turning the vehicle around and steering was very difficult. I shut off the engine and let the car set for a minute and then restarted. The power steering had returned.
Power steering failed. Same issue as almost all these posts. Basically it comes and goes, the big problem is it happens randomly. I have been able to control it however im worried about being lax on the wheel around a freeway turn going 60. This is definitely a safety hazard! Im going to take it in but from what I have read on the posts I don't have 1000 to drop. I honestly just dropped 3000 on a new transmission on this vehicle just over 3000 miles over the extended warranty. Ford of course refused to help in any way.
Tl* the contact 2008 ford escape. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds or in the park position he would notice excessive play in the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnose that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised him that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 119,500 and the current mileage was approximately 120,000. ..updated 11/28/12 *bf updated 11/29/12
Issue happened four times in last couple months--two times with my wife-two with me-was once on highways with each of us -and once in just going into a parking lot while turning at 5 MPH or less-have a witness on last occasion a couple days back at work lot. Have also experience a battery dead-took to advance auto of hammonton, nj and advised on sunday passed that battery tested fine. The ignition has been loose-and is getting worse -the key wiggles -and on just a normal input the engine does not turn over --have to put in 2nd or 3rd time -pushing in hard to get contact. Feel , but do not know , that this issue effects both the battery and the loss of power steering on the four occasions--in any case it is a real safety issue-will not let my wife drive the car-she uses now the 2000 sel ford van we have for second car. We love the escape-but this is a serious safety issue. I have all my records on my home page ford for years-and all service records-99 per cent from dealership where bought this and many others. They have in past been great. Contacted ford.com -received a reply to my e-mail in a day from a [xxx] of ford -they are doing a very intensive study and are also saying there are no current recalls or financial assistance on what our dealership said could cost around $400 to pull down and repair.[xxx] of ford.com promised a reply and hope for solution with and in co-operation with my dealership and ford. Ford in the past has always stood up to their responsibilities for us , as has our dealership service department at lilliston ford , vineland, nj . Thanks for allowing to share this with other folks -will follow up on a conclusion in the next weeks. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Power steering failed as a u-turn was being attempted...at rush hour.
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