2008 Ford Escape: steering wheel locks up

Filed Apr 30, 2026 · Steering · 175,548 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH on the highway, the steering wheel seized. The failure was intermittent. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure recurred while reversing out of the driveway. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,548

Filed Dec 1, 2025 · Steering · 120,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while stopped at a light and attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and became difficult to turn, and a crescent wrench warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was provided error code B2278 and informed that the steering column motor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Feb 23, 2023 · Steering · IL

While driving in a city at about 30mph, my power steering froze and I could not easily make a turn. As a result, I had to stop on the side of the road and inspect what went on. A 'wrench' and a warning control light came on stating 'power steering assist failure'. I was able to drive slowly to my mechanic, with a very limited steering, to diagnose the issue. The error code that appeared on the diagnostic interface was B2278 - Steering Shaft Torque Sensor Malfunction. I was very lucky to drive on a slow road because driving it on a freeway could have been disastrous, maybe fatal in a worst case for myself and others on a freeway. There were no prior signs to the failure. I loved driving the car because it was very reliable. I drive my kids to and from school in this car. I contacted the manufacturer and a few dealerships about this. It turns out that there was a safety recall for 2008 - 2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles (14S05). However, my car, for some reason, was never on a recall list. My car's power steering torque sensor failure clearly satisfies the safety recall requirements. Is there a way that I could take this back to a FORD dealership and get it fixed under the safety recall? I am currently residing and driving this car in Poland.

Filed Nov 15, 2022 · Steering · 100,054 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel locked up and became difficult to turn. After restarting the vehicle, the steering operated as designed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure and referred her to another dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,054.

Filed Nov 3, 2022 · Steering · 144,000 miles · OK · crash

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel locked inadvertently and became significantly difficult to steer. A message indicating a power steering assist failure was displayed. The contact stated while attempting to veer to the side of the road, he lost control of the steering wheel and the vehicle struck a road construction barrier. The hood of the vehicle flew open and struck the windshield. The contact did not sustain an injury. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that he was informed by the local Pep Boys that his vehicle had an electric power steering; therefore, he could not add power steering fluid. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the recall as the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

Filed Feb 3, 2022 · Steering · 190,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized and would not turn in either direction. The driver turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the steering wheel functionality returned but the power steering assist was inoperable. The driver was unaware of any warning lights being illuminated. The contact's husband arrived on the scene and drove the vehicle back to the residence. The vehicle remained in the driveway and had not been taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact had spoken to independent mechanics who had not diagnosed the vehicle but verbally stated that there were recalls for similar years, makes, and models. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that there were no open recalls on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

Filed Mar 8, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · 88,611 miles · CA

Red battery light came on. All accessories went off and the car wouldn't start again. I just replaced my 12v battery the night before. The car had been driven 2 miles, at most. The brand new battery had been in the car less than 24 hours. I had no steering capability as my steering wheel locked up. I couldn't shift. The brake pedal pushed my foot back like it was "pumping" my foot. Put another fully charged battery into my car and started right up. Drove home and as I was pulling into driveway exact same thing happened. Both batteries were drained completely dry of any voltage. Abs light on all the time. Check brake system/regen brake disabled on drive info.

Filed Oct 20, 2020 · Steering · 104,000 miles · LA

There is a recall, campaign number 14v284000, for the electric power steering on ford escapes manufactured in the kansas plant, however for some reason my car is not included in this recall. I have had the exact problem described in the recall complaint.the steering locks up making right turns at low speed and almost caused me to have an accident. This has happened several times. I sent in a complaint previously and have not received a response. Please help me with this problem asap. Thank you !

Filed Oct 10, 2020 · Steering · 130,000 miles · MT

While my wife was beginning to back out of the driveway,t he steering locked up, and she pulled it into the garage and stopped and was afraid to drive, because you cannot steer the vehicle at all.

Filed Jul 14, 2020 · Steering · 20 miles · LA

First of all the single date below does not document the number of times that this problem has happened. When I'm making a right turn at low speed the steering locks up and has caused me to almost have an accident. If I pull down hard on the wheel it breaks loose and returns to normal steering. I've gone on youtube and found many people with the same defect amd as me they say that that they are not covered under the recall that is documented below. My car was manufactured at the kansas city plant as the other cars in the recall. I think that I should qualify. Please see to this asap. Thank you ! [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Feb 12, 2020 · Steering · 95,000 miles · LA

When making a right turn at low speeds the steering locks up. When I force it, it will break loose but this has caused me to come close to having an accident. This happens at random.

Filed Jan 6, 2020 · Steering · 150,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. While the contact was turning into her driveway, the power steering assist warning indicator illuminated and the steering seized. The contact stated that the vehicle was turned off and on; however, the failure continued. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that an unknown steering component needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred. An unknown dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was concerned that the failure was due to the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v284000 (steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.