NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
21 reportsClear category filter145,000 miles · Feb 23, 2015
Steering
WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED MAKING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER. AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES THE "PWR STEERING SERVICE" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WAS LIT. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE AREA I RESTARTED IT AND THERE STILL WAS NO POWER STEERING. I THEN LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR APPROXI…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED MAKING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER. AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES THE "PWR STEERING SERVICE" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WAS LIT. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE AREA I RESTARTED IT AND THERE STILL WAS NO POWER STEERING. I THEN LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS, RESTARTED IT AGAIN AND POWER STEERING HAD RETURNED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10690111
42,152 miles · Feb 20, 2015
Steering
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED TO FUNCTION ON START UP. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING ACTIVATED. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10689519
25,000 miles · Sep 10, 2014
Steering
DRIVING AT LOW SPEED WHEN POWER STEERING SHUT OFF. THIS HAS OCCURRED 1-2/MONTH SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM THE DEALER IN 2008. WHEN I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM IT WAS STILL OCCURRING THEY ALWAYS SAID THERE WAS NO CODE SO BASICALLY NO PROBLEM. POWER STEERING FAILURE HAPPENED RANDOMLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS; WHEN …
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DRIVING AT LOW SPEED WHEN POWER STEERING SHUT OFF. THIS HAS OCCURRED 1-2/MONTH SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM THE DEALER IN 2008. WHEN I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM IT WAS STILL OCCURRING THEY ALWAYS SAID THERE WAS NO CODE SO BASICALLY NO PROBLEM. POWER STEERING FAILURE HAPPENED RANDOMLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS; WHEN IT HAPPENED AT FREEWAY SPEED WAS THE WORST. FINALLY TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY FOUND A CODE INDICATING IT IS THE ELECTRIC ASSISTED POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE. WHY ARE THE 2005-2007 FEHS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10632272
127,844 miles · Jul 29, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF LEFT SITTING FOR 2 HOURS. GOT BACK, TURNED VEHICLE ON, BACKED UP FROM PARKING STALL AND POWER STEERING LOCKED. IT BECAME HARD TO TURN OR CONTROL THE STEERING. TRIED TURNING OFF CAR AND RESTARTING, BUT THAT DID NOT RESET OR RELEASE THE POWER STEERING. NO WARNING SOUND OR LIGHTS CAME ON. DROVE CAR HOM…
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CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF LEFT SITTING FOR 2 HOURS. GOT BACK, TURNED VEHICLE ON, BACKED UP FROM PARKING STALL AND POWER STEERING LOCKED. IT BECAME HARD TO TURN OR CONTROL THE STEERING. TRIED TURNING OFF CAR AND RESTARTING, BUT THAT DID NOT RESET OR RELEASE THE POWER STEERING. NO WARNING SOUND OR LIGHTS CAME ON. DROVE CAR HOME WITH EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND ON THE SHOULDER FOR ABOUT 3 MILES. PARKED CAR AND LEFT SITTING FOR 5 HOURS HOPING IT WOULD RESET. BEFORE TURNING THE IGNITION, I TURNED ON AC, THEN TURN ON THE CAR. THAT DID NOTHING. NOW THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND "POWER STEERING SERVICE" WARNING CAME ON. ISN'T THE WARNING DONE BEFORE AN INCIDENT CAN HAPPEN? HAD A MECHANIC PLACE A MACHINE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAR, BUT NO LUCK. PLEASE HELP IN FIXING THE ISSUE. THERE SHOULD BE AN INVESTIGATION FOR DEFECT ON ELECTRICAL WARNING. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10617440
170,000 miles · Jun 18, 2014
EquipmentSteering
FORD ESCAPE HYBRID: THE CAR WAS DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY AT 68 MILES PER HOUR SPEED, WITH THREE PASSENGERS, AND SUDDENLY A "CLICK SOUND" BEEN HEARD AND THE STEERING WAS "LOCKED". WHEN THE STEERING GOT LOCKED (UN-MOVABLE), THE BREAKS WERE HARD TO PUSH, AND APPLIED. BUT LUCKILY EMERGENCY LIGHTS BEEN PUT ON, AND THE VEHICLE BREAKS WE…
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FORD ESCAPE HYBRID: THE CAR WAS DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY AT 68 MILES PER HOUR SPEED, WITH THREE PASSENGERS, AND SUDDENLY A "CLICK SOUND" BEEN HEARD AND THE STEERING WAS "LOCKED". WHEN THE STEERING GOT LOCKED (UN-MOVABLE), THE BREAKS WERE HARD TO PUSH, AND APPLIED. BUT LUCKILY EMERGENCY LIGHTS BEEN PUT ON, AND THE VEHICLE BREAKS WERE PRESS HARD, AND THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE EMERGENCY LANE ON THE FREEWAY. AFTER THAT, THE STEERING WAS LOCKED DOWN AND NEVER MOVED. TOOK THE CAR TO MECHANIC AND THEY REFERRED TO FORD, SINCE THEY HAVE RE-CALL ON THE SIMILAR ISSUE. FORD DECLINED ANY RECALL, AND QUOTED FOR $3200 TO FIX THE CAR. THIS PART IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM ANY OTHER MANUFACTURE BESIDES FORD ITSELF. THE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED A DEADLY ACCIDENT, TAKING EVERYONE LIVES WHO WERE SITTING IN THE CAR AS WELL AS OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10599222
77,112 miles · Oct 11, 2011
Steering
WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE OR CONCERN, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. UPON EXAMINATION BY A FORD DEALER IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY AND POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE SIMULTANEOUSLY FAILED CAUSING THE ISSUE. DURING ROUTINE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS THIS FAILURE COULD CAUSE A DRIVER…
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WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE OR CONCERN, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. UPON EXAMINATION BY A FORD DEALER IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY AND POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE SIMULTANEOUSLY FAILED CAUSING THE ISSUE. DURING ROUTINE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS THIS FAILURE COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE FULL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE LACK OF ADEQUATE STEERING ASSISTANCE. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10429388
31,567 miles · Feb 7, 2011
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPED AND OVER A BUMP, THE POWER STEERING FAILED; THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTRA FORCE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR FEW MOMENTS AND THE FAILURE WOULD SUBSIDE. T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPED AND OVER A BUMP, THE POWER STEERING FAILED; THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTRA FORCE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR FEW MOMENTS AND THE FAILURE WOULD SUBSIDE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING HARNESS AND COMPUTER MODULE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,567 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
NHTSA ODI #10381027
35,000 miles · Sep 8, 2010
Steering
POWER STEERING GOES OUT ON MY '05 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. HAPPENED ONCE WHEN I HAD CAR ABOUT 3 YEARS AND FORD SAID A FLUKE. DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN UNTIL '09 BUT NEVER WAS HAPPENING WHEN I DROVE IT IN AND FORD COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM. I WAS ABLE TO GET THERE WHILE IT WAS HAPPENING BUT THEY STILL COULDN'T SAY FOR SURE BUT SUGGESTED I PA…
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POWER STEERING GOES OUT ON MY '05 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. HAPPENED ONCE WHEN I HAD CAR ABOUT 3 YEARS AND FORD SAID A FLUKE. DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN UNTIL '09 BUT NEVER WAS HAPPENING WHEN I DROVE IT IN AND FORD COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM. I WAS ABLE TO GET THERE WHILE IT WAS HAPPENING BUT THEY STILL COULDN'T SAY FOR SURE BUT SUGGESTED I PAY TO REPLACE STEERING WIRING HARNESS AND SENSOR. I HESITATED TO DO THIS AS SEVERAL PEOPLE INCLUDING ANOTHER FORD MGR SAID DIDN'T MAKE SENSE AND ANOTHER FORD MGR SAID DIDN'T KNOW FOR SURE THAT WOULD TAKE CARE OF PROBLEM. SOMETIMES IT IS FINE FOR MONTHS, OTHER TIMES HAPPENS EVEN WHEN I FIRST TURN THE CAR ON. SOMETIMES THE STEERING JUST FEELS "LOOSE"....NOT NORMAL. USUALLY THOUGH, I'M DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A PULL LEFT AND THE STEERING GOES OUT. FORD MGR TOLD ME IT'S SAFE TO DRIVE BUT IT'S GETTING MORE NERVE WRACKING - SUDDEN HARD PULLS LEFT BUT POWER STEERING STAYS ON - FOR AWHILE. ONCE HAPPENED WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. DRIVING A STRAIGHT LINE ISN'T BAD BUT TIGHT TURNS ARE DIFFICULT AND U TURNS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE TO THE MOUNTAINS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10354392
1,500 miles · Jul 3, 2010
Steering
LOSS OF STEERING IN A FORD HYBRID ESCAPE ELECTRIC STEERING, COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING IN A TURN AND NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10341300
1,500 miles · Nov 3, 2006
Steering
2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID : ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. POWER STEERING FAILED, WHILE IN A TURN TWICE. AND CAME WITHIN INCHES OF HITTING A WALL, BECAUSE IT REVERTED TO MANUAL STEERING. IF NOT FOR QUICK THINKING AND REFLEX'S. I WAS A PASSENGER AND GRABBED THE WHEEL AND WRESTLED IT IN THE TURN TO AVOID THE WALL. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER…
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2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID : ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. POWER STEERING FAILED, WHILE IN A TURN TWICE. AND CAME WITHIN INCHES OF HITTING A WALL, BECAUSE IT REVERTED TO MANUAL STEERING. IF NOT FOR QUICK THINKING AND REFLEX'S. I WAS A PASSENGER AND GRABBED THE WHEEL AND WRESTLED IT IN THE TURN TO AVOID THE WALL. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY ACTED LIKE IT WAS A NO BIG DEAL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10172574
NHTSA investigations
2DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP12006 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Opened Oct 2, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles. On October 2, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition DP12-006 to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition is hereby granted on certain model years. The NCCC letter cites two complaints of stall while driving in MY 2009 Ford Escape vehicles that were diagnosed as failed throttle bodies with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed. The petitioner indicates that the owners of both vehicles reported experiencing repeated incidents of stalling and engine surging. According to Ford, Escape non-hybrid vehicles are equipped with Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) assemblies beginning with MY 2009. Vehicles manufactured between June 22, 2009 and October 15, 2009 may contain contaminated printed circuit boards (PCB) with plating variations. Plating variations could lead to a lack of continuity in the throttle position sensor circuit where P2111 and/or other DTCs would be generated and stored. Ford and its electronic throttle body supplier, Delphi, modified the PCB manufacturing process and issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) 09-23-5. Vehicles produced after October 15, 2009 incorporated ETBs manufactured with a PCB process that resolved this condition. ODI's analysis identified a total of 123 unique reports indicating allegations of reduced motive power or vehicle stall. Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance associated with three limp home modes. In two limp modes, reduced engine performance may maintain vehicle speeds above 20mph while the third is a limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Allegations of stall appear to be related to the limited limp home mode. Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability. Allegations of vehicle surge appear to be related to limp home mode operation. Complaints alleging surge are most likely related to engine RPM fluctuations at low vehicle speeds or idle as the control system engages to prevent engine stall. In limited limp mode, rough-idle conditions may exist while the control system attempts to modulate engine RPMs once the vehicle reaches a reduced speed to maintain approximately 900 RPM. Separately, ODI received 59 complaints alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in model year (MY) 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles. Approximately 60 percent (36) of the incidents occurred at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more. Eighty percent of complaints (47) were received beginning March 2012 and 14 complaints reported that the throttle body was replaced or DTCs associated with limp home modes. Additionally, Ford issued TSB 10-21-6 addressing DTCs associated with idle speed drops and limited limp home mode. The petition is granted on certain model years.Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.See full copy of the closing resume for this defect petition for list of the VOQs associated with the defect petition analysis.