2008 Ford Escape
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 2,417 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 26 Escape model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 72 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 45 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, floor shiftSep 29, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Campaign 15V606000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, wheel bearingJun 3, 2015
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Campaign 15E045000 on NHTSA.gov
Hybrid propulsion systemSep 3, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
Campaign 14V526000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemMay 29, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.
Campaign 14V284000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentSep 3, 2010
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.
Campaign 10E043000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
1,237 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Mar 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY TIGHT. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE TO RESET THE COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO RECALIBRATED THE PCM AND REPLACED THE ANGLE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,054.
Steering, Mar 8, 2015
PARKED THE CAR AT NIGHT, NEXT MORNING THE POWER STEERING DIDN'T WORK AT ALL. *TR
Steering, Mar 2, 2015
MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HAS BEEN ACTING UP LATELY. THE POWER STEERING KEEPS ON SHAKING ON ME ALL THE TIME EVENING ON THE HIGHWAY. I ALMOST HIT SOMEONE'S CAR YESTERDAY. I HAD A RECALL REGARDING POWER STEERING ISSUE, AFTER THE RECALL WHICH WAS ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO. I STARTED EXPERIENCING MY POWER STEERING SHAKING, I CALL FORD AND COMPLAIN ABOUT IT AND EVEN TAKE THE CAR IN FOR THEM TO CHECK THE PROBLEM, SINCE THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING POWER STEERING, THEY WHERE NOT HELPFUL, THEY SAY IT WAS A MECHANICAL ISSUE, NOW I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE I HAVE A 2 YEARS OLD AND I DON'T THINK IT IS SAVE FOR ME TO DRIVE THE CAR. PLEASE I NEED HELP REGARDING THIS ISSUE. LOT OF COMPLAINS ONLINE REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. I TRY TO SUBMIT THE FORM BUT THE INCIDENT INFORMATION IDEAS REQUIRED. *TR
Steering, Feb 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
Steering, Feb 26, 2015
I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING IN MY 08 FORD ESCAPE. I DID GET A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FROM FOMOCO IN AUGUST FOR THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN AUGUST 2014 TO HAVE THE RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING TAKEN CARE OF. I NOW NEED TO CHANGE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO BE CORRECTED BY THE RECALL. FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS NOW TELLING ME A AM RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL COSTS AND THEY DID THEIR PART. I FEEL THAT IF THEY DID THEIR PART CORRECTLY, I WOULD NOT BE IN THIS PREDICAMENT. APPARENTLY THEIR RECALL WAS NOT WORTH THE TIME IT TOOK ME TO TAKE IT TO THE FORD GARAGE. I AM ALSO READING ON NUMEROUS FORUMS THAT THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD ESCAPES THAT HAVE HAD THIS RECALL DONE.
Steering, Feb 24, 2015
I WAS DRIVING HOME TURNING INTO MY SUBDIVISION AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND I HAD TO USE ALL OF MY MIGHT TO MAKE THE TURN. I PREVIOUSLY HAD THE POWER STEERING RECALL PERFORMED 4 MONTHS PRIOR. I CALLED UP THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT COVERED BY FORD, ONLY THE SOFTWARE UPDATE THEY DID ON THE RECALL. THIS IS AWFUL OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY ESPECIALLY AFTER WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH GENERAL MOTORS. IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. *JS
Steering, Feb 23, 2015
MY STEERING WHEEL HAS A SHAKE WHILE IDLING OR WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. THIS SHAKE BEGAN JUST DAYS AFTER TAKING IT IN FOR THE POWER STEERING RECALL ISSUE. WHICH THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE STEERING SHAKES ENOUGH THAT IT MOVES MY ARMS WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Steering, Feb 18, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND FUNCTIONED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 4/29/15*CN
Steering, Feb 17, 2015
THIS IS A LETTER RELATED TO SAFETY AND QUALITY. I AM A 55 YEAR OLD CHEMICAL ENGINEER AND AM A LONGSTANDING CUSTOMER OF FORD CARS. I PRESENTLY OWN A 2008 FORD ESCAPE AND A 2014 FORD FIESTA. BOTH VEHICLES WERE PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALERSHIPS IN ILLINOIS. LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING THE FORD ESCAPE ON INTERSTATE 69 IN INDIANA, WHEN THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN UNIVERSAL JOINT FAILED. THE "KNUCKLE" COMPLETELY DISENGAGED, RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING. I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO BRAKE AND STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT, ALBEIT COMING TO REST AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE ON THE SHOULDER. I FEEL I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT A FT. WAYNE, IN FORD DEALERSHIP. I HAVE THE PART IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SEEING PHOTOS OR WOULD BE HAPPY TO ELABORATE FURTHER ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES. I WOULD HATE TO THINK THAT THIS COULD OCCUR TO ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH RESULTS FAR MORE CATASTROPHIC. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. *TR
Steering, Feb 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO VEER TO THE RIGHT AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000.
Steering, Feb 12, 2015
WE TOOK OUR ESCAPE IN ON 12/10/14 FOR A RECALL FOR A POSSIBLE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THERE WAS NO ISSUES BEFORE THE "FIX" WAS DONE, AFTER THE DEALERSHIP DID THE FIX THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MOVE ON ITS OWN AND VIBRATE WHEN SITTING AT A STOP. TOOK IT IN FOR A BATTERY AND THE STEERING WHEEL ISSUE INTO THE DEALERSHIP INFORMING THEM WHATEVER THEY "FIXED" NEED TO BE REDONE OR REVERSED HAD NO PROBLEM BEFORE THEY DID RECALL REPROGRAM. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THEY DID WHAT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE FOR RECALL MUST BE ANOTHER ISSUE. TOOK IT HOME AND A WEEK LATER POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON MY HUSBAND WHEN HE WAS DRIVING TO WORK. *TR
Steering, Feb 12, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT, AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED TIBIA AND A BLOOD TRAUMA TO THE FACE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 4/13/15*CN UPDATED 11/12/2015*JS
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V284000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE RECALL WAS CLOSED, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMPSTARTED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY WOULD FAIL AFTER THREE DAYS AND THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
Steering, Feb 12, 2015
LOCAL FORD DEALER COMPLIED WITH FORD RECALL NOTICE TWO MONTHS AGO ON STEERING COLUMN. THEY SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSOR. LAST WEEKEND, "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" LIGHT CAME ON. NEVER BEFORE HAND A PROBLEM WITH STEERING OR HAD EVER SEEN THIS INDICATOR LIGHT. WITHIN 24 HOURS OF FIRST SEEING THE WARNING LIGHT, THE POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER YESTERDAY. THIS MORNING THE DEALER TELLS ME I NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN, TO BE PAID FOR BY ME PERSONALLY, AS IT IS NOT COVERED BY THIS RECALL (WHICH INCIDENTALLY STATED IT WOULD REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN IF NECESSARY). APPROX. COST $1200, WHICH I HAVE AUTHORIZED. GOOGLING AROUND THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS I AM NOT ALONE. *TR
Steering, Air bags, Feb 12, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL INDEPENDENTLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER LEGS, BACK, NECK AND FACE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. 4/15/15*CN UPDATED 9/21/2017*CN
Steering, Feb 12, 2015
THERE IS NO STEERING ASSIST IN THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO TURN EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THERE WAS A RECALL PERFORMED IN NOVEMBER (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000) ON THE VEHICLE IN WHICH FORD UPDATED THE SOFTWARE ON THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE, BUT LESS THAN 2 MONTHS LATER THE VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE AND NEARLY INOPERABLE. I DID OPEN A CASE # WITH FORD DIRECTLY. THE CASE # IS [XXX] AND THEY ARE UNWILLING TO ASSIST. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Feb 8, 2015
VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR WARRANTY REPAIR AT VILLAGE FORD, DEARBORN (313-565-3900). INVOICE READS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, CAUSE 14S05; CHECK FOR DTCS AND REPROGRAM THE PSCM AND THE IC MODULE; 997595 WORK WAS STARTED/FINISHED ON 2 DEC 2014. A COUPLE DAYS LATER, AFTER THE WARRANTY REPAIR, STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND UNLESS WHEEL IS HELD TIGHTLY AT ALL TIMES THE VEHICLE VEERS TO THE RIGHT. THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED AND SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE WITH STEERING WHEEL PROBLEMS SEEMINGLY DUE TO THE WARRANTY REPAIR. UPDATED 4/12/2016*JS
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Feb 5, 2015
2008 FORD ESCAPE HAD THE RECALL DONE FOR THE POWER STEERING IN SEPTEMBER THEN IN NOVEMBER I HAD EVERYTHING CHECKED BECAUSE MY GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK. THEN I GOT THE READOUT THEY GAVE ME A LIST OF ALL OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WERE WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE WHICH NOTHING APPEARED WHEN THEY DID THE RECALL THE TORQUE SENSOR WAS ONE OF THEM SOMETHING THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED BUT TOLD ME SINCE IT DIDN'T READ AT THE TIME THE SOFTWARE WAS THE ONLY THING THAT THEY COULD DO AND I HAD TO PAY FOR IT NOW.NOW IN FEBRUARY THE POWER STEERING WENT BACK IN TO MANUAL THEY WILL NOT FIX IT AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY TELL ME TO CALL FORD. FORD TELLS ME THAT THERE'S NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO THAT THERE'S AN INDEPENDENT COMPANY THAT HANDLES RECALLS THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME TO CALL FORD SO FROM SEPTEMBER TILL NOW I PUT ABOUT 5000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS THE ONLY THING I CAN THINK OF IS TO TAKE THEM TO COURT ALONG WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN FIND SO MANY THINGS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE NOW WHEN THEY HAD TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND CHECK THE ENTIRE VEHICLE AND DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AT THAT TIME.ALL THEY DID WAS SOFTWARE UPDATE I DROPPED IT OFF AND HAD IT BACK IN ONE HOUR AND TWO MONTHS LATER THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR ALL THESE THINGS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE WHEN I DEFINITELY SUSPECT THAT EVERYTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT AT THE TIME THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND I DEFINITELY FEEL LIKE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GO AFTER THEM. *TR
Steering, Feb 4, 2015
RECALL 14S05 WAS PERFORMED BUT FAULTY SENSOR SHOWED UP 4 MONTHS AFTERWARDS AND NOW FORD REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS THEY CLAIM THE RECALL ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Feb 4, 2015
I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT ON FEBRUARY 2, 2015 IN REFERENCE TO THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT THE CODES WERE CLEARED AND THE CAR WAS TESTED AND WAS DRIVABLE. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN AT THE COST OF $2,600. IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS MADE BACK IN AUGUST 2014, THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO OTHER ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST OR TORQUE SENSOR MODULE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH AND READING A LETTER DATED JULY 1, 2014 PERTAINING TO SAFETY RECALL 14S05 FROM THE OFFICE OF [XXX], DIRECTOR OF SERVICE ENGINEERING OPERATIONS, THIS LETTER INSTRUCTED DEALERSHIPS TO "REPROGRAM THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE IF NO CODE WAS PRESENT, REPLACE THE TORQUE SENSOR IF CODE B2278 WAS PRESENT OR REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY IF CODE B1342 OR B2277 IS PRESENT". WHAT THE REPROGRAMMING OF THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE ACTUALLY DID WAS TO PROGRAM THE STEERING COLUMN SENSOR TO ILLUMINATE THE WRENCH ICON ON THE DASHBOARD TO LET THE DRIVER KNOW THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS ABOUT TO BE DISABLED ON THE VEHICLE. THIS IS STILL A SAFETY ISSUE! THIS IS NOT A FIX! WHEN THE VAST MAJORITY OF DRIVERS TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED, THAT IS WHAT THEY EXPECT. THE SICK PART OF THIS REPROGRAMMING THE MODULE IS THAT ONCE THIS NOTIFICATION IS MADE, THE CAR IS INOPERABLE AND FORD WANTS YOU TO BRING THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THAT SAME STEERING ISSUE REPAIRED AT YOUR COST FOR $2,600. IT IS STILL A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE FIXED, NOT REPROGRAMMED YOUR CAR TO NOTIFY YOU THAT YOUR POWER STEERING IS ABOUT TO DISABLE. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMNS ON ALL 2008 FORD ESCAPES THAT EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE. THAT WAS A QUICK FIX INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Feb 4, 2015
THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING. I HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSES TO HONOR THEIR RECALL #14S05. *TR
Steering, Feb 4, 2015
POWER STEERING FAILED - HAD RECALL IN AUGUST PERFORMED BY FORD TO PREVENT THIS BUT STEERING WHEN OUT ANYWAY. TOOK TO FORD DEALER WHO HAD TO REPLACE STEERING COLUMN ANY SAID I HAD TO PAY WHICH THEY SAID IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER SAFETY RECALL (14S05). FORTUNATELY SHE WASN'T DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY WHEN IT WENT OUT! *TR
Steering, Feb 2, 2015
TOOK MY FORD ESCAPE TO DEALER FOR THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR, RECALL BY FORD #14S05 IN AUGUST 2014. THE DEALER DID NOT GET ANY "BAD" CODES, SO THEY DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE. ON JANUARY 26, I COULD NOT STEER MY CAR. FORTUNATELY, I WAS AT A STOP AND NOT DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR FAILED AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY WHICH IS GOING TO COST ME $1200. FORD WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR BECAUSE THEY SAID THE "SOFTWARE UPDATE" WAS DONE. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER RECORDS OF THE SAME ISSUE NOT BEING COVERED BY FORD. *TR
Steering, Feb 2, 2015
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE INTO THE PARKING GARAGE AT WORK, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHY THE STEERING WHEEL HAD LOCKED UP SINCE I DID HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR DONE ON THE TRUCK IN AUGUST OF 2014. THE SERVICE REP TOLD ME THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR WAS BAD AND THAT THEY CLEARED THE CODES, TEST DROVE IT AND TOLD ME THAT IT WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. THE SERVICE REP TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GET MY STEERING COLUMN REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $2,600. I DROVE THE CAR TO WORK THAT MORNING AND THE WRENCH LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ONCE AGAIN. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT I AM GOING TO HAVE TO COME OUT OF MY POCKET TO PAY FOR A REPAIR FOR SOMETHING I BELIEVE SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY THE INITIAL RECALL ESPECIALLY SINCE IT WAS LESS THAN 6 MONTHS SINCE I HAD THE RECALL DONE. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD AND IT IS RIDICULOUS TO BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A MALFUNCTION DUE TO NO FAULT OF MY OWN. SO, AS FOR NOW, THE CAR IS GOING TO SIT IN A GARAGE INOPERABLE. FORD HAS GOT TO DO BETTER. *TR
Steering, Jan 30, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.