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 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. *TR
Steering, Apr 9, 2013
LOST POWER STEERING. TURNED CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN POWER RETURNED. FEW WEEKS LATER WHILE IN PARKING LOT SAME PROBLEM. WHEN LOOKED UP PROBLEM DISCOVERED THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF 2008 ESCAPES. THIS WAS THE YEAR FORD CHANGED TO ELECTRONIC STEERING. I COULD NOT TAKE THE CHANCE OF THIS HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR AT A HIGHER SPEED. I TRANSPORT MY GRAND CHILDREN A LOT SO I HAD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE BILL WAS $1500.00 I REPORTED TO FORD BUT THEY HAD ALREADY DECIDED THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE!!! *TR
Steering, Apr 6, 2013
MULTIPLE POWER STEERING FAILURE OCCURRENCES RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING AND JUMPING WHILE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE? *TR
Steering, Apr 3, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED UP WHERE IT MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. FORTUNATELY, IT WASN'T A BUSY DAY AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I'M CONFUSED WHY FORD HAS NOT ISSUED ANY RECALL ON THIS ISSUES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I UNDERSTAND MY VEHICLE HAS A LOT OF MILES, BUT 85 PERCENT OF MY MILES ARE FREEWAY MILES. MY RESOLUTION WAS TO SPEND $2,000.00 OUT OF POCKET AND HAVE THE ISSUE REPAIRED. *TR
Steering, Mar 30, 2013
MY WIFE'S ESCAPE SUDDENLY STARTED LOSING ITS POWER STEERING, BUT WOULD RETURN TO NORMAL AFTER A SHUTDOWN AND RESTART OF THE VEHICLE. ON THE SAME DAY, SHE STARTED NOTICING A CLUNK OR POP DURING TURNING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. IT IS NOT AT THE END OF THE TURN, BUT SOMEWHERE AT AROUND 40-50 PERCENT IN EITHER DIRECTION. IF HER CAR FAILS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I WILL SUE THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THIS FAILURE. THAT IS A PROMISE. *TR
Steering, Mar 29, 2013
FOR THE PAST TWO OR THREE WEEKS I HAVE NOTICED A PROGRESSIVELY WORSE SHAKING AND VIBRATING IN THE STEERING COLUMN, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A STOP OR RESTING. ON THE 27TH OF MARCH, 2013 I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WAS REALLY DIFFICULT, AS IN THE POWER ASSIST WASN'T HELPING. THE BRAKES WERE STILL WORKING FINE. WHEN I SHUT THE VEHILCE OFF AND RESTARTED IT, THE STEERING WAS BEING ASSISTED BY THE EPS AGAIN. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, BUT RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM IT SEEMS LIKE IT WILL GET PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. *TR
Steering, Mar 26, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000. *TR UPDATED 05/08/13*LJ UPDATED 05/21/2013 *JS
Steering, Mar 21, 2013
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD HEARD A CLICK IN THE STEERING AND THEN WHEEL LOCKED UP COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR HAD TO PULL OVER ON SIDE OF THE ROAD PUT CAR IN PARK TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART THEN THE STEERING WAS OK THIS HAS HAPPEND 5 TIMES SINCE MY PURCHASE OF MY ESCAPE VERY DANGERES WHEN DRIVING I HAVE HAD MY ESCAPE TWO WEEKS I PUCHASED USED THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO THE FACT IT IS VERY DANGERES. *TR
Steering, Mar 21, 2013
WE LOST POWER STEERING UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT ROAD SPEED WE MOST CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE HAD A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Steering, Mar 20, 2013
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD APPROXIMATELY 40MPH GOING AROUND A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER IT WAS LIKE HAVING NO POWER STEERING THIS HAPPENED VERY SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. ONCE I FINALLY GOT IT TO A PULL OFF AREA, I GOT OUT AND LOOKED AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG FROM THE OUTSIDE NOTHING TO BEEN SEEN. I THEN GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT, THEN THE STEERING WAS NORMAL. THIS WAS A VERY SCARY MOMENT, AS I HAD THREE CHILDREN WITH ME. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ONLINE TONIGHT I HAVE FOUND ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME SITUATION FROM MANY OTHER 2008 ESCAPE OWNERS. REALLY SCARY PART IS: THIS COMPLAINING PEOPLE ALSO STATING RECURRING INCIDENTS. SURE WISH FORD WOULD RECALL THIS DANGEROUS HAZARD. *TR
Steering, Mar 20, 2013
WHILE DRIVING, POWER STEERING WENT OUT. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH NO POWER STEERING PUMP, IT HAS ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST. FOR ABOUT THE PAST MONTH, THE POWER STEERING WOULD NOT ACTIVATE AND I HAD TO TURN OFF MY CAR AND IT CAME BACK ON. THE STEERING WHILE HAS BEEN SHAKING WHILE DRIVING. TODAY THOUGH, WAS THE FIRST TIME IT WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. I CALLED FORD CONSUMER LINE AND THEY SEEMED UNCONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE. LUCKILY, WE LIVE IN THE COUNTRY AND DO NOT HAVE MUCH TRAFFIC, SO I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OVER BEFORE IT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. LOOKING ONLINE, THERE HAS BEEN A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS SAME ISSUE. THE LINK BELOW, CURRENTLY HAS 113 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME TYPE OF ISSUE. I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT BEFORE SOMEBODY DOES GET INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE SOMEBODY'S STEERING GOES OUT ON THE FREEWAY AT A HIGH SPEED. I AM ASKING THE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ADMINISTRATION TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER BEFORE SOMETHING DOES HAPPEN. HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2008/FORD/ESCAPE/STEERING. *TR
Steering, Mar 20, 2013
AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP TO TURN RIGHT AT A CORNER, I HEARD A CLICK AND FELT A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN I THEN TRIED TO COMPLETE MY TURN, IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. I COMPLETED MY TURN, DROVE ABOUT A QUARTER OF A MILE AND THEN PULLED OVER. I WAS ABLE TO REACTIVATE THE STEERING BY TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND TURNING IT BACK ON. THE PROBLEM REPEATED ITSELF LATER IN THE DAY AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. *TR
Steering, Mar 20, 2013
BEGINNING IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2012 MY STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING. THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT JUST AS I WAS TAKING A TURN ON THE FREEWAY. I JUST BARELY MANAGED AVOID HITTING SOMEONE HEAD ON. *TR
Steering, Mar 20, 2013
GOT OFF WORK DROVE ACROSS STREET, PARKED FOR AN HOUR, GOT BACK IN STARTED TO BACK UP AND IT WAS LIKE I DIDN'T HAVE POWER STEERING. LET OTHER CAR GO, CONTINUED ACROSS STREET TO GAS STATION TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD. NOTHING LOOKED WRONG. STARTED CAR BACK UP AND WE HAD POWER VERY CONFUSED. I GUESS IT'S POSSESSED. LIKE WHEN THE HORN WOULD MAKE NOISE ON ITS ONE COUPLE YRS BACK. DIDN'T GET TOO FAR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL MADE SHAKIN NOISE LIKE IT WAS GRINDING AND WE LOST POWER AGAIN. TURNED AROUND AND HEADED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS STEERING COLUMN CONTROL BOARD. 1400.00 TO FIX. DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. NEED TO SEE IF WE CAN INSTALL IT OURSELVES. FROM THE SOUNDS OF IT LOOKS AS IF THEY SHOULD HAVE THIS RECALLED, FOR WE WILL BE ON THE HUNT FOR A NEW CAR AND WE THOUGHT ABOUT A 3RD ESCAPE BUT NOT NOW. *TR
Steering, Mar 19, 2013
POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING IN AND OUT. USUALLY IT WILL NOT WORK WHEN I START THE CAR BUT IF I TURN IT BACK OFF AND ON A FEW TIMES IT STARTS WORKING AGAIN. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO VIBRATES OR PULSATES WHEN I AM DRIVING. HASN'T HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING YET BUT I AM SCARED THAT IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME. SEEN A LOT OF FORD ESCAPES HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Mar 13, 2013
CPSC: I1320536A. 2008 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER STATED THESE CARS HAVE POWER STEERING CONTROL ISSUES. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE, AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE NEW ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST STEERING SYSTEM CAN MALFUNCTION WITHOUT WARNING AND THE LEAVE THE DRIVER WITHOUT STEERING.
Steering, Mar 13, 2013
WHILE SITTING IDLE AT A LIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES, POWERING STEERING SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. *TR
Steering, Mar 12, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STARTED THE IGNITION AND THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND UPON RESTARTING THE POWER STEERING ASSIST BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD ALSO SHAKE INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DURING INITIAL START UP OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Mar 12, 2013
AT AROUND NOON ON 3/11/2013, MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 75 MPH. AFTER RUNNING SOME ERRANDS AND DEALING WITH THIS ALL DAY, I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY TO THE FEEDER ROAD (DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC) AND MY POWER STEERING TOTALLY WENT OUT. IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO MOVE THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I PULLED A MUSCLE IN MY ARM PULLING SO HARD OUT OF SHEER PANIC. IT'S A MIRACLE I DIDN'T HIT ANOTHER CAR, AS IT WAS BUMPER TO BUMPER ON EACH SIDE OF ME DUE TO THE TIME OF DAY. ONCE I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, I HAD CONTROL OF THE STEERING AGAIN BUT THE VIBRATING HAS NOT WENT AWAY AND IT IS GETTING WORSE! I'M AFRAID TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD AND SINCE THE CAR IS AROUND 130K MILES...NO WARRANTY. I SEE ONLINE THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I WANT THIS PROBLEM RECALLED AND FIXED BY FORD BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT ON THE ROAD! *TR
Steering, Mar 12, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND UPON RESTARTING, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Mar 10, 2013
I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE IN MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE. AT THIS TIME I STILL HAD POWER STEERING BUT THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUED TO VIBRATE. AS I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE LIGHT, IT CONTINUED TO SHAKE WITH A SLIGHT GRAB TO THE RIGHT PERIODICALLY. AS I CONTINUED ONTO THE FREEWAY, THE SHAKE CONTINUED UNTIL THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY. AFTER GETTING HOME, I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES, STARTED IT UP AGAIN AND THE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BACK BUT THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN, AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE SHAKE WAS GONE AND SO WAS THE POWER STEERING. TO THIS DATE, 03/10/13, I DO NOT HAVE POWER STEERING AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO MY FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE TORQUE SENSOR IN THE COLUMN. MY MILEAGE AT THE TIME I NOTICED THE SHAKE WAS 82,000. THE COST TO REPLACE THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS, AND THE SAFETY ISSUES INVOLVED ARE SEVERE CAUSE FOR CONCERN. I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY OTHER 2008 ESCAPE OWNERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL!!! *TR
Steering, Mar 8, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TORQUE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 7, 2013, crash
POWER STEERING GOES OUT FOR NO REASON. IT CLICKS IN THE HOUSING UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL, IN THE STEERING COLUMN. NEEDED TO ADD THAT WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL INJURIES AND MORE THAN ONE ACCIDENT WHERE A VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 7, 2013, crash
AS I WAS BACKING UP, I LOST POWER STEERING. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL WITHOUT GREAT FORCE, AND BACKED INTO THE PORCH. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND TURNING IT BACK ON, THIS RESOLVED. IT HAPPENED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY GOING FORWARD AT 40 MPH. I COULD HEAR SOMETHING IN THE STEERING COLUMN CLICK AND THEN LOST POWER STEERING. NOW THE POWER STEERING HAS COMPLETELY GONE OUT. WHEN I START THE CAR, I CAN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL ALL THE WAY ONE DIRECTION AND "TRICK" IT INTO HAVING POWER STEERING FOR A MOMENT BEFORE IT CLICKS OFF AGAIN. I HAVE SUSTAINED A NECK AND SHOULDER INJURY FROM HAVING TO USE MY ENTIRE BODY TO TURN THE WHEEL, AND SLAMMING INTO THE PORCH WHEN THE WHEEL GOT "STUCK" IN A TURNED POSITION AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN IT BACK. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT NO ONE HAS DIED AS A RESULT OF FORD'S DEFECT. WILL THE NHTSA WAIT UNTIL THEN TO FORCE FORD INTO A RECALL? *TR
Steering, Mar 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,359. *TR...UPDATED 05/22/13 *BF UPDATED 06/05/2013 *JS