Problems with 2008 Ford Escape STEERING

I started my escape on day and noticed that the steering wheel was locked up, i could not turn it, so i turned the truck off and started it back up and it was working. it has done this several times, sometimes it takes quite a few time of turning it off and on to reset it. i have not had issues with it locking up while driving, but i am worried about it, so have not been driving it. while in the park position the steering wheel does shimmy a little and makes a noise. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. the contact stated while driving at various speeds the steering wheel became difficult to turn. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the steering column. the contact was made aware of a recall under nhtsa campaign number 14v284000 (steering), however his vin was not included on the recall. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 104,000. updated 10/22/14*lj the consumer stated the failure occurred several times before being repaired. updated 4/1/2015 *js

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

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

Just starting to make a left turn from a stop sign. steering seemed to be locked up, very hard to move wheel. car almost went off road as it was a t intersection. speed on cross road is 40 mph and luckily i was able to back up prior to being hit. once the car was back behind stop sign the engine was restarted and steering started functioning again. this is the second time the steering went out. the first time was approximately 6 months ago, speed approximately 20 mph and was attempting to turn into school parking lot to drop off children. i was able to get car to curb and restarted the engine. there was no warning or idiot light prior to steering going out on either time. this seems to be a common problem with this year and make. i am surprised no one has been killed or seriously injured. there are quite a large number of incidents recorded online of this very problem. not much word from ford though... *tr

While driving, the steering column locks up and will not turn. dealership has confirmed many similar occurrences have occurred yet will not fix the know problem as a recall. one day soon this will be major accident which could have fatal outcome. my daughter is a mother of one and another due early next year, such an accident could have major injuries or worth. this needs attention even more than the health care plan which would have to take care of the injuries which could occur. *tr

While driving at 45 mph, the electric power steering (eps or epas) failed. the car instantly lost all ability for power steering, without alerting the driver. the problem is intermittent, and may fail at any time. the epas can sometimes be re-instituted by stopping the car (in the middle of the road at times, or freeway), turning off the car completely ... waiting 10 seconds, and restarting the car. but this does not mean that the problem will not occur again at any time within the same driving incident. the epas continues to fail at inopportune times, without alerting the driver until failure has occured. *tr

I placed a message on the nhtsa database on 11/04/13 concerning the power steering on my 2008 ford escape. i called the ford corporate center at 800/392-3673 - the ford center stated that by calling their number they will have a record of the problem and the more people that call the center is how the recalls are initiated and not by simply using the nhtsa database. if you are having power steering issues with your ford escape, please call the ford corporate center and get you name on the list and hopefully we can have this vehicle recalled before someone gets terribly hurt. *tr

I was driving to parking lot at local store and the power steering quit workingso i stopped in a safe area to investigate the problem shut the vehicle off to look under the hood did not find anything started the vehicle back up problem went away then it happened again at home upon startup no power steering turn vehicle back off has to do this a couple of times then problem went away.now this problem is more constant of no power steering and now the steering wheel sits and chatters back and forth at idle and driving down the road so i took it to the dealer ship and talked to the guys in the parts department and they said this is an ongoing problem and ford can get it figured out as to what there going to do they said as of right now they can't order any power assist columns right yet so i guess ford is dragging there feet on this one i guess until someone dies maybe all the ford ceo's need get into one of they problem vehicles and drive for awhile and see what all of us are talking about?? *tr

3 years ago my radio no longer lights up, the heat & ac only works on high and inside lights don't work. then in 2013 replaced the transmission with absolutely no warning with 86,000 miles on the vehicle now in 2015 the power steering has gone out on the vehicle and this was recalled in 2014 and i took it to the dealer and they said that they would have covered it if it was within 12 months. it was a week and half over that.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. the contact stated that while driving 10 mph and attempting a turn, the steering wheel failed to operate normally. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician stated that the steering column needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was not notified. the failure mileage was 160,000.

While my wife was driving our 2008 ford escape the power steering failed without warning and it became difficult to turn the steering wheel. luckily, she was not going that fast so she was able to pull over and stop. she shut the vehicle off and restarted it and the power steering was working. the same thing happened a second time about two to three weeks later. we brought the vehicle to our mechanic and he did some research and was able to locate hundreds of 08 escape owners who have experienced the same problem. this is a huge safety concern and needs to be addressed before someone is seriously injured. *tr

My steering column would shake while i was at a stop and within a few days i have lost the electrical steering (power steering). i now have no electrical assist for the steering and have been informed that they have to replace the entire steering column in order to fix the problem. *tr

Sunday october 20th, 2013. while driving my 2008 ford escape the electric power steering failed. this was like trying to drive a tank. when i got to a safe place to pull off the road i turned off the engine and restarted the car. the steering worked ok at that time. i took my car to a repair shop to have the steering checked and was told the only pace to get this fixed was at a ford dealer and that this type failure on the 2008 escape was a common occurrence. looking on line i confirmed that this problem was very frequent with the 2008 ford escape and could happen at any time. fortunately it happened to me on a quite sunday morning when there was little traffic and i was able to pull off the road without endangering myself or other drivers. i feel this is a major safety issue that could result in a serious accident with potential personal injury and/or a loss of life accident. i feel ford should be required to recall the 2008 ford escapes equipped with this type steering and make the necessary repairs to protect the lives of both the ford drivers and others that might be encountered on the road should the steering fail. *tr

While setting at a handicap space after eating. i started my car and the steering was hard to steer going into reverse or forward. it still hasn't come back to me yet after setting for a whole day. the only thing that i did before parking was go over a speed bump with one side of the car and making one turn after 50 yards of straight driving to the space. *tr

The incident reported is only one of many similar -in 2012 reported to ford-dealership where purchased car did work on their own to fix-(no-charge-and only have the parts numbers used to repair-do not know the fix for the problem then) in 2013 the steering electronic assist has failed both my wife and i on more than multiple times! all except one time at low mph in parking lots-malls-and back yard. the one exception time was on a highway at normal 45 to 50 mph -cologne ave, mays landing nj only solution to get power steering back to normal is to stop -shut engine down-restart engine-and the electronic assist is back and ok again. all except one time -had to restart and run around the back yard -shut down and restart again. these incidences of actual times and events reported to ford customer relations--no action except to advise return to dealership for diagnosis. at our cost>we know and ford knows -why should we pay another $100 for another diagnosis as in 2012? this is a life threatening situation if it happens on highway-not only to driver of subject vehicle , but to others on the highway. our escape a 2008 -but actually bought in march 2007; also we understand thru so many other complaints similar to ours that the 'electronic assist power steering first put on the escape model in the 2008 year. possible that ford found out the problems and later corrected--but they are not acknowledging even that a problem ever existed! with so many complaints of exactly same as ours on so many forums as ford forums, car complaints, edmunds , and two or three other places that can not recall as write this--how can it just be passed off as a rare incident to just a few? *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. the contact stated that the steering column seized and the transmission failed. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 42,000.

While driving the steering just lost all power, this vehicle has electric steering control, was able to pull over and shut down . restarted and steering came back. upon research online, there seems to be quite a few of these steering incidents and ford is not doing any recall. *js

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. the contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the power steering failed without warning. the contact merged shut off and restarted the engine, and the vehicle resumed normal function. the vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

This occurred in 2012 also. loss of powersteering -when pulling into our yard. had son check the belts-fluid levels-all ok;restarted and it was ok. took around back yard and it immediately loss the power assist again. actually steered it as was for about 400 yards around the large back field of our farm as it was-it never became normal again during that approximate 400 yards --until i shut off engine-restarted again and til today september 19, no re occurrence. have been on many forums and seen so many others with same problems. a steering assist electric module or something similar seems to be the problem. this has happened to my wife two times -one in the back yard and one in mall parking lot area. we know what to do now-shut down engine and restart; however, if this happens while on highway in traffic while attempting to either pass or get back in you lane --it could be life threatening to not only us but the others on highway. please, there have been enough complaints for a remedy -or at least an acknowledgement by ford -not as our e-mail to ford customer relations and a reply by a representative, [xxx], who stated they have done what they feel necessary and as to their responsibility of this problem, by telling us to take to ford dealership for an analysis test by their professional mechanics and technicians. we as do so many ford owners know the problem-cause-and why must we pay a large analysis problem for same. thank you nhtsa-we are fortunate to have some one that is concerned. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

The car has randomly started loosing power steering. *tr

The vehicle's power steering system suddenly failed without warning. this occurred while the vehicle was stopped so there was no risk of accident at the time. this issue has never occurred before. i turned off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering returned. i did an on online search and discovered this is far from an isolated problem. i found literally hundreds of other 2008 escape owners reporting sudden steering loss problems with characteristics matching precisely what i experienced. these complaints seemed to begin to surface within the last 2 years. it appears the electronic control unit (ecu) mounted in the steering column is to blame for the failures. i believe 2008 was the first year ford introduced the ecu to replace conventional power steering pumps. well it looks like they have a problem which ford has apparently ignored so far. i am submitting this complaint in the hopes that the nhtsa will compel ford to issue a recall. this is not an inconvenience, this a life threatening defect. if power steering fails at highway speeds someone is going to get hurt and quite possibly die. please investigate this. and please do it soon. *tr

Serious vibration, lot of cracking noise, steering wheel locking up, have to adjust steering wheel to start vehicle. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. the contact stated that while waiting at a traffic light, the steering wheel seized without warning. the contact mentioned that after turning off the engine and restarting, the vehicle resumed normal function. the vehicle was towed to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the failure and current mileage was 86,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. the contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the vehicle became difficult to steer as the steering wheel became very loose. the vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the cap of the u-joint had become detached and would need to be replaced. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the vehicle had not been repaired. the failure and current mileage was 118,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. the contact was stopped at an intersection when the power steering failed. the engine was restarted and the vehicle continued without an issue. the vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. the manufacturer was not notified of the incident. the approximate failure mileage was 111,000. the vin was unavailable.

Sporadic loss of power steering without notice. no error codes. steering wheel becomes very difficult to steer. known failure is sensor in steering column. potential of an accident is high. canada also has an active investigation. ( [xxx]). information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

After taking the vehicle to a ford dealer for an oil change the next day my wife started the car in a school parking lot and there was no power steering. not knowing what to do, she drove it. after she parked it and started it again the power steering came back. the power steering now goes out intermittently when starting the vehicle, so we turn it off and back on and the power steering is restored. at stops the steering wheel vibrates side to side, but when the vehicle starts moving the vibration goes away. i see many posts on this known issue, is someone going to have to get hurt or die before a recall is issued on this problem. *tr

2008 ford escape. consumer writes in regards to steering column issues. *smd the consumer stated the electronic module in the steering column failed.

While sitting in the parking lot i went to drive and i had no power steering. nothing seemed to be wrong but i turned off the ignition and restarted then power steering worked fine. this has since happened again on 11/4/2013 with my wife driving. she was able to pull over and shut off the vehicle then restart and everything began to work again. investigating this problem there are many others with the same problem and ford doesn't seem to be doing anything about this problem. it's a huge safety issue because if your driving down the highway you cannot turn the steering wheel. *tr

While sitting at a light in detroit, the epas (steering) failed. i am a grown man and it took all my strength to steer the car to safety, holding up traffic all around me. once it was turned off, it reset itself and worked again. it has happened 3 times since and am taking it to the dealership, all at zero or low speeds. if a weaker person were to experience this it could result in a real problem as it is almost impossible to steer. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. the contact stated that when attempting a turn, the vehicle would exhibit an abnormal noise. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was stated that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. the approximate failure mileage was 84,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. while driving approximately 30 mph, the power steering seized without warning. the vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road where the engine was turned off. after restarting, the vehicle resumed normally. the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 14v284000 (steering); however, the failure recurred seven months after the remedy was performed. the vehicle was repaired a second time by the dealer. the manufacturer was not notified of the issue. the approximate failure mileage was 48,000.

For almost a year, to start my car i had to push key in very firmly, then turn. for about one month now, i have to push in, then jiggle in and out until it connects and starts car. sometimes it takes 5 minutes to find the connection. i don't know if this is related to the problem of having no power steering (power steering comes and goes - usually none) which i understand is also an electrical problem. *js

I was taking a left hand turn and the power steering/steering column failed and i crashed into a curb, *tr

While driving the steering column began to shake and i lost all power steering. i was also informed this has caused wear on my tie rods and they are now in need of replacing. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. the contact stated that while reversing from a residential driveway, the steering wheel seized without warning. the failure recurred three times. the contact was able to restart vehicle to resume proper steering capabilities. the vehicle was taken to dealer for diagnosis however, the diagnosis had not been provided. the vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified of the incident. the approximate failure mileage was 89,000. the vin was not available. *tr

The power steering failed to work. after turning the car off and restarting, the steering worked, but had vibrations which were more noticeable when stopped. the steering wheel would click and move on it's own. it has continued and i am not confident it is safe to drive. *tr

During lunch hour slowed to make a right hand turn and brakes seemed to lock and grind. steering wheel vibrated and the abs and traction control light came on. attempted to accelerate and the car seemed to be locked up for a few seconds. vehicle behind me almost hit me due to vehicle failure. lights would not go off for about 1 minute after accelerating to about 25 mph. while driving about 10 more minutes they illuminated several more times. during drive home the same thing happened 3 more times and always when slowing to make a turn and then attempting to accelerate again. now abs light won't go off at all. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. the contact started the ignition and the noticed that the steering wheel had seized. additionally, the steering wheel would shake whenever the contact was driving 35 mph or more or when accelerating from a complete stop. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. the technician stated that the steering column would need to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 57,960. updated 8/11/14*cn updated 08/22/2014 *js

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

Very dangerous issue with this car. the electronic power steering goes out sometime without warning making the car difficult to steer. if this happened during a high rate of speed during a turn it would 100% cause a serious accident. *tr

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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