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, Apr 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
Steering, Apr 22, 2014
I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING STOPPED. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER AND TURNING LEFT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AND VERY PAINFUL. I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO PARK THE CAR. I WAS VERY AFRAID THAT I WOULD LOSE ALL STEERING CAPABILITY AND GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Steering, Apr 22, 2014
I WAS PICKING UP MY TODDLER FROM DAYCARE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. I WAS TERRIFIED AND UNABLE TO STEER. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND TRIED TO EXERCISE THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT LOOSENED A LITTLE BUT WOULD KEEP LOCKING UP AFTER A FEW MINUTES. FOUND OUT LATER THIS HAPPENED TO MAY OTHER 2008 FORD ESCAPE DRIVERS AND THEY EXPERIENCED THE SAME TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE OF DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKING UP. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND COST WAS ABOUT A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPAIR. HAD TO GET A BRAND NEW STEERING COLUMN. A MONTH OR TWO LATER I FIND OUT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON PREVIOUS YEAR ESCAPES, BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECALL ISSUE FOR MOST OF THEM. THERE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL ON 2008'S THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY. IF THERE IS A RECALL ISSUED, I THINK REFUNDS SHOULD BE ISSUED TO THOSE OF US WHO PAID ALL THIS MONEY TO HAVE THESE DANGEROUS ISSUES RESOLVED. *TR
Steering, Apr 22, 2014
I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 2 CHILDREN AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER AND CHANGE LANES EVEN WITH THE ASSIST THAT THE VEHICLE GIVES. IF IT WAS MY WIFE IN THE CARE I DON'T THINK SHE WOULD'VE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL IT. SO I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND READ THE MANUAL AND WAITED FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. WHEN I TRIED IT AGAIN THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK. IT THANKFULLY WHICH IS NOT GOOD WENT OUT AGAIN BUT I WAS CLOSE TO HOME SO I WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME AND PARK IT. I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND THAT IT IS A CURRENT PROBLEM FORD IS HAVING AND QUITE COMMON. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS BUT THERE WAS NONE. I HOPE THIS DOESN'T TURN INTO A PROBLEM LIKE GM WHERE IT COSTS PEOPLE THEIR LIVES. I HOPE NHTSA CAN HELP AND GET THIS DEFECT RECALLED. I WAS TOLD FROM THE DEALER I BROUGHT IT TO (FOX FORD) THAT IT WAS A SENSOR IN THE COLUMN BUT THEY COULDN'T JUST CHANGE THE SENSOR IT HAD TO BE THE WHOLE COLUMN SO NEEDLESS TO SAY $2300 LATER IT WAS FIXED WHICH THE MONEY DOESN'T COMPARE TO MY KIDS SAFETY. AGAIN HOPE YOU CAN HELP! *TR
Steering, Apr 20, 2014
STARTING IN ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF MARCH, POWER STEERING WILL FAIL UNEXPECTEDLY. SINCE THEN IT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT. IF YOU JUST START THE CAR WITH THE STEERING WHEEL BASICALLY ON CENTER, THERE WILL BE NO POWER STEERING AT ALL. IF YOU CRANK THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AS YOU START THE CAR, THE STEERING WILL WORK FOR A WHILE BUT THE WHEEL WILL SHAKE AND MAKE A NOISE WHEN IT IS ON-CENTER. IT WILL THEN SOMETIMES FAIL COMPLETELY AFTER A FEW MINUTES. STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE CAR MAY GET IT TO WORK FOR A WHILE.
Steering, Apr 20, 2014
DRIVING UP A SLIGHT HILL THROUGH A GRADUAL S CURVE WITH A SUDDEN LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING. AT THE TOP OF THE HILL THE POWER RETURNED. I AM FILING THIS BECAUSE I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE QUITE A FEW REPORTS OF INCIDENTS SIMILAR TO THIS WITH THE 2008 ESCAPE. IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Steering, Power train, Apr 18, 2014
WHEN I START MY CAR THE POWER STEERING WONT WORK. I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT AND IT WILL WORK. I NOTICED MY ESCAPE WAS LEAKING FLUID TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER IT WAS THE TRANSFER CASE. AFTER 2500. ITS FIXED AND IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ON BOTH AS THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON BOTH OF THESE. *TR
Steering, Apr 16, 2014
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND LOST STEERING! BY THE GRACE OF GOD I WAS NOT KILLED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER THAT WAS NEXT TO ME. MY HUSBAND GRABBED THE WHEEL AS IT WAS LOCKED AND WE BARELY MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD IT TOWED TO FORD. THEY SAID THERE WAS A TSB AND THEY THOUGHT IT HAD A BAD SENSOR. THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. AFTER TWO WEEKS OF HAVING THE CAR, THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. I PAID THE $2,000. BILL BUT DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO AS FORD SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE VEHICLES! THERE ARE MANY INSTANCES OF THE SAME SITUATION PEOPLE HAVE HAD THAT I FOUND ONLINE. LOCALLY I COMPLAINED, AND THE FORD REGIONAL OFFICE DENIED MY REQUEST. I WROTE TO FORD'S PRESIDENT AND DID NOT GET A REPLY. IF I HAD DIED AND IT GOT INTO THE NEWS, THEY WOULD STEP UP, BUT I AM SURE THEY ARE ASSESSING WHICH WOULD HAVE MORE FINANCIAL IMPACT ON THEM. IT IS CLEAR THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS LIVES. INSTEAD OF RECALLING, THEY ARE STAYING MUM. WHAT A SHAME AND A REFECTION ON THE COMPANY. *TT
Steering, Apr 14, 2014
AFTER STARTING MY CAR TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT FROM MY WORK, I NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WASN'T WORKING AS I WAS BACKING OUT. I PULLED BACK INTO MY SPOT, PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, SHOOK THE STEERING WHEEL TO TRY TO GET IT TO WORK, AND NOTHING. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, RESTARTED IT, STILL NOTHING. I RESTARTED IT ONCE MORE, SHOOK THE WHEEL WHILE STARTING THE ENGINE AND IT WORKED FINE. I NOW HAVE TO WIGGLE THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST TURNS ON. *JS
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 12, 2014
EXPERIENCED FREQUENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT SPEED AND AT STOP A FEW MONTHS AGO. REPLACING THE BATTERY RESOLVED IT FOR 2 MONTHS. THEN IT STARTED AGAIN WHEN IN TUCSON. EXTREME WOBBLE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AT ALL TIMES. RESTARTING THE CAR HELPED RESET POWER STEERING FOR THE FIRST 2 DAYS IF THE CAR LOST POWER STEERING WHILE AT REST. RESTARTING THE CAR AT SPEED IS NOT POSSIBLE AND LOSING POWER STEERING IS PRETTY SUDDEN AND SCARY. WAS DRIVING AT 70MPH ON INTERSTATE 10 AND LOST POWER STEERING SEVERAL TIMES. HAD TO PULL OVER WITH AVAILABLE MANUAL STEERING, WHICH WAS HARD. RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE--LOSS OF POWER STEERING BOTH AT REST AND AT SPEED. FILING COMPLAINT. *JS
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 10, 2014
AT FIRST THE POWER STEERING DIDNOT WORK UPON STARTING CAR, RESTARTED AND IT WORKED. AS TIME WENT ON THIS GOT WORSE, HAVING TO RESTART SEVERAL TIMES AND NOW ONCE POWER STEERING WORKS IT WILL GO OFF ANYTIME EVEN JUST DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. ALSO WHEN POWER STEERING IS WORKING THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS THAT FORD HAS OFFERED A TORQUE SENSOR KIT INSTEAD OF HAVING TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN. *TR
Steering, Apr 9, 2014
I AM WRITING TO YOU TO SEEK HELP ON SENDING A FORMAL COMPLAIN TO FORD MOTOR CO. TO INVESTIGATE AN ISSUE WITH THE 2008 FORD ESCAPES WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS IN WHILE DRIVING. AT FIRST, I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS A BIG DEAL BECAUSE IT HAS HAPPENED ONLY ONCE SO FAR WITH MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE ON 3/13/14 WHEN I WAS TAKING MY YOUNGER DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. I COULDN'T REALLY MOVE THE CAR AND IT GOT SO STIFF TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT THAT I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BREAK THE THING. I TURNED IT OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON RIGHT AWAY AND NOTHING HAPPENED AND I GOT SADDENED BECAUSE I HAD A FIELD TRIP TO GO TO THAT DAY WITH MY DAUGHTER. I DECIDED TO GO BUT IT WAS "PAINFUL" DRIVING THE SUV WITH A VERY STIFF WHEEL.. ..PARKING THE CAR AT THE FIELD TRIP LOCATION IT WAS PRETTY BAD BECAUSE I COULDN'T TURN THE CAR ,I ENDED UP USING 2 PARKING SPACES .I ASKED ONE OF THE PARENTS ABOUT THE ISSUE AND HE ASKED ME IF IT WAS LEAKING OIL,ETC(NO LEAKS) ... THE WEIRD THING THAT HAPPENED LATER THAT DAY WHEN HE CHECKED MY CAR , IT WAS FINE,LIKE NOTHING HAS HAPPENED.....TIME WENT BY AND AFTER HEARING THE LAST FEW DAYS IN THE NEWS ABOUT GMC COMPLAINTS AND ISSUES NEVER REPORTED, I DID A SEARCH ENGINE ON THE WEB ABOUT ISSUES WITH FORD ESCAPES. I WENT TO "CARCOMPLAINTS.COM" AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE OVER 160 COMPLAINS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE AS MINE IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY AND NO SOLUTIONS,NO RECALLS FROM FORD. I SENT AN EMAIL TO FORD MOTOR CO. WITH NO RESPONSE AND I DECIDED TO CONTACT 10TV INVESTIGATES TO START"SOMETHING" ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. NOW MORE THAN EVER I WILL BE DRIVING NERVOUSLY THINKING WHEN THE STIFFNESS ISSUE IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND GOD FORBID GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Steering, Apr 9, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STOP SIGN WITH THE VEHICLE IDLE THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE LEFT INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,693.
Steering, Apr 9, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING WAS ENGAGED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED THIRTY TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF A MONTH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Steering, Power train, Apr 8, 2014
MY POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT AND ON AND OUT AND ON AT ANY RATE OF SPEED. I CAN'T AFFORD THE 1500.00 TO REPLACE IT SINCE I JUST HAD MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 4,000.00 IT IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE AND I'VE SEEN 1000 OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE. FORD NEEDS TO DO A RECALL. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. GM JUST DID A RECALL AND IT IS THE SAME PART. CAN SOMEONE HELP WITH THIS MATTER PLEASE? *TR
Steering, Apr 8, 2014
POWER STEERING WENT OUT. WAS NEAR HOME AND ABLE TO GET VEHICLE INTO DRIVEWAY. AFTER SHUTTING OFF AND RE-STARTING POWER STEERING WORKED. STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING UNTIL REPAIR MADE. *TR
Steering, Apr 8, 2014
ONCE AGAIN, MY POWER STEERING FAILED AND HAD TO RESET IT. IS FORD WAITING FOR A LAWSUIT OR A DEATH TO RECALL THIS HAZARD? IF SOMEONE'S VEHICLE DOES THIS WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS- A LAWSUIT IS WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
Steering, Apr 7, 2014
!ST TIME STARTED TO LEAVE, NO ASSIST. DROVE SHORT DISTANCE TO MY HOME. HARD TO STEER BUT DRIVABLE. SECOND TIME MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND STARTED TO MAKE A TURN ,NO ASSIST. WAS ARRIVING AT DESTINATION. BOTH TIMES WHEN THE CAR WAS RESTARTED THE POWER ASSIST WORKED NORMALLY. THE 2 ABOVE INCIDENTS WERE ABOUT 2 WEEKS APART.THE LOSS OF ASSIST WILE DRIVING WAS ON 04-01-14. *TR
Steering, Apr 5, 2014
WAS DRIVING AND TAKING A TURN WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. STOPPED THE CAR AND THEN SHUT IT OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK ON. HOWEVER, THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WITH A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS WAS ONLY THE LATEST INCIDENT. EARLIER IN THE MORNING WHEN I STARTED MY CAR THERE WASN'T POWER STEERING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN AT WHICH TIME IT WORKED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A MONTH HAPPENING MAYBE 1 OR 2 TIMES A WEEK. THE SHAKING AND NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN IS GETTING LOUDER WHILE IDLING. *TR
Steering, Apr 4, 2014
POWER ASSISTED STEERING LOCKED UPON STARTING THE CAR, THIS HAS HAPPENED EVERY TIME I START MY CAR AND I HAVE TO RESTART MY CAR 6+ TIMES TO GET MY STEERING TO UNLOCK. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT STOPLIGHTS AND IS FAVORING THE LEFT WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. WHEN THE STEERING IS LOCKED IT IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE CAR. I HAVE TO WORRY EVERY DAY THAT THE CAR MIGHT LOCK UP ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I AM DRIVING TO WORK. I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF OTHER REPORTS LIKE THIS ON THE INTERNET YET NO RECALL... *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 4, 2014
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING FOR THE THIRD TIME IN A MONTH CAUSING ME TO RUN OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE I COULDN'T MAKE THE NEXT TURN. IF I PULL OVER, TURN OFF THE CAR, AND RESTART THEN IT WORKS FINE. IF I WAS GOING ANY FASTER, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. *TR
Steering, Apr 2, 2014
I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. USUALLY IF YOU PUT THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT IT OFF, LET IT SIT FORE AWHILE THEN START IT BACK UP IT WELL EVENTUALLY RELEASE. HOWEVER, IT HAPPENS REGULARLY AND IS A DANGEROUS THING TO HAVE HAPPEN SUDDENLY. *TR
Steering, Apr 2, 2014
I WAS ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE A GAS STATION WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS, THEN ON AGAIN. STILL NO POWER STEERING. WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY AND WITH NO POWER STEERING, BACKED AWAY FROM THE GAS PUMP TO AN OUT-OF-THE-WAY AREA. TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF THEN ON AGAIN. POWER STEERING RETURNED. I CHECKED ONLINE TO FIND THAT OTHER FORD/ESCAPE OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. IT ALSO HAPPENED AGAIN TWO WEEKS LATER AT ANOTHER LOCATION. *TR
Steering, Apr 1, 2014, crash
POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE TURNING CORNER--CAR HIT MAIL BOX @ 10MPH. POWER STEERING GOES OUT ANYTIME. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 1, 2014
WHEN I START THE IGNITION EN VARIOUS OCCASIONS I DON'T HAVE POWER STEERING I HAVE TO TURN THE IGNITION ON AND OFF MULTIPLE TIMES UNTIL I REGAIN POWER STEERING. WHILE I'M DRIVING MY STEERING WHEEL STARTS TREMBLING AND SHAKING. WHEN THAT OCCURS AND I COME TO A STOP I LOOSE MY POWER STEERING. I HAVE TO TURN THE IGNITION ON AND OFF MULTIPLE TIMES UNTIL I REGAIN POWER STEERING. *TR