2009 Ford Escape: steering wheel locks up

Filed Nov 18, 2024 · Steering · 223,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was stiff while attempting to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 223,000.

Filed Oct 15, 2024 · Steering · 120,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized with no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Jan 26, 2024 · Steering · TX

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Steering and yes auto is available for inspection sitting in my driveway unable to drive. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My family including two small infants were driving normally as usual and the steering wheel locked up without any advance notification, which caused us all to lose our lives because a semi-truck was barreling down on us and stopped in the nick of time. • Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Below is the recall link given to me for my 2009 Escape. [XXX] • Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? Yes, see the attached printout from Firestone a reputable Automotive Center • Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem before the failure, and when did they first appear? No, this completely caught me off guard. I spent USD 100+ to have a diagnostic done. I have two case file numbers to prove I reached out to Ford Customer Service before being denied and now having to log an official complaint. First One – [XXX] Second One – [XXX] Contact # 800.392.3673 These two case file numbers should prove I’ve followed the right procedures to get this very serious life-threatening mechanical issue resolved. As of this formal complaint, Ford Motor refuses to acknowledge their fault and offer me any financial assistance. I’m a retired senior citizen on a fixed income and cannot come up with well over $2000 to make this repair. I need my vehicle for very important doctor appointments with my cardiologist. Regards, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 5, 2023 · Engine, Steering · NC

I have had to spend over $5,000 in repairs for this vehicle and I’ve had it for over a year. It was listed at $6,999 at a used car dealership so I got it as is and have had issues ever since. There is no recall on my car according to the VIN# however I strongly disagree with that. When I first got it, it drove great for a week and then the problems started to arise. Every time I came to a complete stop the car would turn off completely. So I would have to put it in park and turn the key off then restart it and keep it moving a little. This kept going on for 11 months, until it turned off at a stop light and I couldn’t get it to start back up. I was almost hit by traffic coming up behind me (going no less than 45 mph) because of where the car was located. Turns out the motor basically combusted from the inside out. This was caused by the oil leak that could never get fixed because the gasket would always give way. After having to work for 4 months scraping together $3,200 plus paying for a rental car weekly, the motor was replaced and it was working well again. Until it wasn’t. The power steering is controlled by an electric pump which makes you more prone to getting into an accident. My power steering locks up every time I start the car. It did this before the motor was replaced but now it’s even worse since the motor was replaced. I have to turn my car on and off about 15 times before my steering wheel unlocks and I can move it normally. It takes my whole strength to turn the wheel when it locks up. I haven’t been to a ford dealership yet but I do plan on going to get them to check it out since a lot of 2008-2012 Ford Escapes have recalls on the power steering sensor. Long story short. This car has had to have so many repairs for things that normally don’t need repairs every 2 weeks and I want it to get looked into because I’ve never ever had car cost so much in repairs for things that shouldn’t be breaking so fast and easily. I have all the repair paper receipts.

Filed May 8, 2023 · Steering · 116,475 miles · TX

The contact's daughter owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module (PSCM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that there were no open recalls on the VIN. The failure mileage was 116,475.

Filed Oct 12, 2022 · Steering · 65,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel locked and became significantly difficult to steer. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's daughter was able to pull into a parking lot where she parked the vehicle. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed Mar 26, 2022 · Steering · KY

Steering wheel locked up without any warning while driving. Almost caused an accident. Now there is no power steering and.power steering assist fault warning is on.

Filed Dec 30, 2021 · Steering · CA

The steering wheel locks up and I am unable to start the car. Sometimes the ignition will turn and the car will start, but the wheel remains locked up. Eventually the car may start and the wheel will unlock, but I'm afraid it could go out while driving. I have discovered over 650 complaints about the same problem with Fords. I took the car to a mechanic (independent) who diagnosed a defective ignition module and steering column. We ordered the parts and 4 weeks later when they still hadn't arrived (there are no 2009 steering columns out there) I had the car towed to the Ford dealer. They replaced the ignition key cylinder, charged me $550 and said the car was fine. We jumped in the car to drive home and the wheel was again locked. The mechanic came out and told me they would further diagnose the problem and would call me later. It has been 6 weeks that the car has been inoperable. It has 54,000 miles on it. Ford has determined it's a power steering failure and the steering column needs to be replaced. $3500.

Filed Nov 4, 2021 · Steering · MO

i received a warning this morning from my car that i had a "power steering assist failure". I took it to the Capital City Ford (Joe Machens) dealer in Jefferson City, MO. I pulled in the garage and turned off the car. They checked a couple of things, turned the car back on and the wheel would not turn (this has never happend before). She said she would have to keep it and have it checked. They never called me so, about 5 hours later i checked in and they said i would get an email about what needed to be fixed. I never received one. They could see were some "torque" thing and maybe the "steering column" and it would be in the neighborhood of $900 plus labor. Until this morning their was never any problems other than the warning light coming on. This is the 3rd very expensive fix in the last 3 months. Upon further investigation i see that there was a recall on this very thing. I asked at Ford about it but they said since nothing comes up in the computer there is nothing they can do about it. This is a very dangerous thing and after reading some of the other complaints i am thankful i wasn't going down the highway and had my steering locked up like thousands of others have had happen to them. I think FORD should be held responsible for this because this is not something in anyway that a consumer can touch, alter or in anyway fix.

Filed Apr 23, 2021 · Steering · 140,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the power sensor fault warning indicator light illuminated. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel locked up and failed to turn left or right. The contact called straub ford (20 jefferson ave, moundsville, wv 26041, (888) 876-3387) however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Nov 28, 2020 · Steering · 92,500 miles · GA

While driving the steering wheel locks up where I cannot steer the vehicle. I have to pull over and then turn it off, restart the car to continue. It happens quite often. It happens both going straight and making a turn. It seems like it happens when I'm slowing down or coming to a stop. It happened many times. I will list the last time it happened. I haven't driven it since.

Filed Nov 5, 2020 · Steering · 137,850 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 ford escape. The contact stated while his friend was starting the vehicle, the steering seized with the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to hennessey ford atlanta located at 5675 peachtree industrial blvd, atlanta, ga 30341, (470) 602-2073. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was serviced in 2014 under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v284000 (steering) prior to him owning the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 137,850. *ln*dt the consumer provided reports, repair orders, as well as recalls for this vehicle. *tr