NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
110 reportsClear category filter150,000 miles · Jan 2, 2019
Steering
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS THERE WAS NO WAY TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE. FORD HAD A RECALL ON SOME OF THESE MODELS BUT DID NOT INCLUDE ALL MODELS. THIS PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS THE PROBLEM THAT WAS RECALLED ON THE SAME MODELS BUT LIMITED BY VIN #. THIS COULD…
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THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS THERE WAS NO WAY TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE. FORD HAD A RECALL ON SOME OF THESE MODELS BUT DID NOT INCLUDE ALL MODELS. THIS PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS THE PROBLEM THAT WAS RECALLED ON THE SAME MODELS BUT LIMITED BY VIN #. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR THREAT TO HUMAN LIFE HAD THE OPERATOR NOT HAD THE STRENGTH TO OVER COME THE LACK OF POWER STEERING. FORD SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL VEHICLES IN THIS MODEL KNOWING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ESCAPE/MARINER STEERING SYSTEM.
NHTSA ODI #11164579
144,000 miles · Dec 11, 2018
SteeringCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK, JERKED, AND LOST POWER. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN AND A TIRE BLEW OUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BIG VALLEY FORD LINCOLN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK, JERKED, AND LOST POWER. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN AND A TIRE BLEW OUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BIG VALLEY FORD LINCOLN (3282 AUTO CENTER CIR, STOCKTON, CA 95212, (800) 867-1516) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
NHTSA ODI #11160823
140,000 miles · Dec 8, 2018
Steering
STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING WHEN PARKED/IDLE AND WILD STOP AFTER EXCEEDING 10MPH. ISSUE ESCALATED AND NOW HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS WHEN NOT TURNING (TRAVELING STRAIGHT). SHAKING HAS BECOME MORE VIOLENT IN WHEEL. FIRST MECHANIC DETERMINE CODES WERE ASSOCIATED WITH RECALL #14S05. FORD CLAIMS THIS RECALL WAS PERFORMED AND CLOSED IN 2…
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STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING WHEN PARKED/IDLE AND WILD STOP AFTER EXCEEDING 10MPH. ISSUE ESCALATED AND NOW HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS WHEN NOT TURNING (TRAVELING STRAIGHT). SHAKING HAS BECOME MORE VIOLENT IN WHEEL. FIRST MECHANIC DETERMINE CODES WERE ASSOCIATED WITH RECALL #14S05. FORD CLAIMS THIS RECALL WAS PERFORMED AND CLOSED IN 2015. NOW, ISSUE HAS RESURFACED, AND ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SECOND MECHANIC AT A FORD DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THIS ISSUE IS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE RECALL AND WILL ATTEMPT TO CONTACT FORD AGAIN. STEERING POWER ASSIST FAILURE DISPLAYED.
NHTSA ODI #11157055
140,000 miles · Oct 24, 2018
Steering
SUNDAY AFTERNOON AROUND APPROXIMATELY 3PM (10/21/2018) I WAS DRIVING AND MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING, AND I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE IT. IN THE CAR WITH ME WAS MY FRIEND, AND MYSELF. ON THE FIRST INSTANCE THIS DAY, I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, AND WITHOUT WARNING MY CAR BEEPED TWICE, AND THE STEERING WH…
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SUNDAY AFTERNOON AROUND APPROXIMATELY 3PM (10/21/2018) I WAS DRIVING AND MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING, AND I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE IT. IN THE CAR WITH ME WAS MY FRIEND, AND MYSELF. ON THE FIRST INSTANCE THIS DAY, I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, AND WITHOUT WARNING MY CAR BEEPED TWICE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WENT COMPLETELY STIFF. THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO JUST PARK WHERE I WAS, TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE GONE. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER, AS I WAS IN THE INTERSECTION COMING OUT OF THAT PARKING LOT, MY STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD, AND NO BEEPING OCCURRED. I COULD NOT MOVE THE WHEEL, AND I WAS TRAVELING IN THE DIRECTION OF OTHER VEHICLES THAT WERE TURNING, AND I WAS VERY CLOSE TO HITTING THEM. AGAIN, THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO GET TO A SPOT STRAIGHT AHEAD TO PARK AND I ENDED UP LEAVING MY CAR THERE OVERNIGHT. MY FRIEND AND I ALMOST WRECKED IN A BUSY 4-WAY INTERSECTION DUE TO A MANUFACTURER MISTAKE, AS I HAVE RECOGNIZED ONLINE THROUGH MULTITUDES OF OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR SIMILAR SITUATIONS. THIS IS DANGEROUS. SOMEONE NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, AS THE VEHICLE (A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID), GAVE ME NO WARNING WHATSOEVER BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED UP.
NHTSA ODI #11142373
140,000 miles · Apr 3, 2018
Service BrakesSteeringSuspension
IVE HAD REOCCURRING ISSUES WITH MY BRAKES ,ABS SYSTEM , POWER TRAIN , STEERING COLUMN STARTER. OVER THE COURSE OF THREE YEARS AND IT SEEM LIKE THE PROBLEMS KEEP COMING UP . THE ONLY CLOSE CALL I REMEMBERS IS COMING HOME FROM WORK . MAKING A TURN ON TO A STREET, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY. I CO…
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IVE HAD REOCCURRING ISSUES WITH MY BRAKES ,ABS SYSTEM , POWER TRAIN , STEERING COLUMN STARTER. OVER THE COURSE OF THREE YEARS AND IT SEEM LIKE THE PROBLEMS KEEP COMING UP . THE ONLY CLOSE CALL I REMEMBERS IS COMING HOME FROM WORK . MAKING A TURN ON TO A STREET, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY. I COULD HAVE CRASHED IF A HUGE CURB WASNT THERE .
NHTSA ODI #11082619
160,000 miles · Mar 19, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering
TAKATA RECALL POWER STEERING STOPED WORKING VERY SUDDENLY. WHILE I WAS DOING DELIVERIES FOR MY WORK I PARKED THE CAR TURNED IT OFF AND WHEN I GOT BACK AFTER ABOUT 10 MIN. POWER STEERING DIDN'T WORK AND HASN'T WORKED EVER SINCE. THE ONLY THING THAT I NOTICED THAT DAY IS THAT EVERY TIME I TURNED THERE WAS A VERY SLIGHT SHAKE ON T…
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TAKATA RECALL POWER STEERING STOPED WORKING VERY SUDDENLY. WHILE I WAS DOING DELIVERIES FOR MY WORK I PARKED THE CAR TURNED IT OFF AND WHEN I GOT BACK AFTER ABOUT 10 MIN. POWER STEERING DIDN'T WORK AND HASN'T WORKED EVER SINCE. THE ONLY THING THAT I NOTICED THAT DAY IS THAT EVERY TIME I TURNED THERE WAS A VERY SLIGHT SHAKE ON THE STEESRING WHEEL. I THOUGHT THAT WAS UNUSUAL BUT NEVER THOUGHT THAT 2 HOURS LATER THE POWER STEERING WOULD COMPLETELY FAIL. THANK GOD THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND NOTICED THAT THE FORD ESCAPE 08 HAS A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING, I IMAGINE THERE WAS ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO MAKE THE RECALL HAPPEN. HOWEVER, THERE ARE NOT AS MANY HYBRID MODELS AND I'M SURE THAT'S THE ONLY REASON WHY THERE'S NO RECALL FOR THIS SPECIFIC MODEL YET. BUT AS FAR AS I KNOW BOTH MODELS THE ESCAPE AND THE ESCAPE HYBRID ARE IDENTICAL IN MANY WAYS INCLUDING SOME PARTS IF NOT ALL PARTS OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM.
NHTSA ODI #11080241
210,000 miles · Feb 22, 2018
Steering
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST HAS FAILED CREATING DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THIS OCCURRED. FORD HAS RECALLED A NUMBER OF FORD ESCAPES FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT NOT ALL MODELS THAT ARE AFFECTED, INCLUDING MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11074236
166,000 miles · Jan 18, 2018
Steering
POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN MY 08 ESCAPE. TOOK TO FORD DEALERSHIP WHO TOLD ME THAT RECALL WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE SINCE ITS OVER THE 46,000 MILES LIMIT. I INFORMED THEM THAT THERE IS NO EXPIRATION OR MILEAGE ON RECALLS. THEY THEN SAID THAT IT NEEDS A SOFTWARE UPDATE AND THE COST WILL BE ABOUT $1000. MY HUSBAND WAS D…
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POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN MY 08 ESCAPE. TOOK TO FORD DEALERSHIP WHO TOLD ME THAT RECALL WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE SINCE ITS OVER THE 46,000 MILES LIMIT. I INFORMED THEM THAT THERE IS NO EXPIRATION OR MILEAGE ON RECALLS. THEY THEN SAID THAT IT NEEDS A SOFTWARE UPDATE AND THE COST WILL BE ABOUT $1000. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING IT TO WORK AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE WHEN STOPPED. THEN DRIVING HOME THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT.
NHTSA ODI #11063520
140,000 miles · Dec 15, 2017
Steering
THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT CAME UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A SHARP TURN AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WENT AWAY ON ITS OWN AND NEXT DAY CAME IN AGAIN AND SINCE THEN MY CAR IS HARD TO STEER AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THERE WAS A RECALL OF 14S05 BUT IT DOESNT SHOW FOR MY VEHICLE. MINE IS THE SAME YEAR AFFECTED BUT DOES NOT …
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THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT CAME UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A SHARP TURN AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WENT AWAY ON ITS OWN AND NEXT DAY CAME IN AGAIN AND SINCE THEN MY CAR IS HARD TO STEER AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THERE WAS A RECALL OF 14S05 BUT IT DOESNT SHOW FOR MY VEHICLE. MINE IS THE SAME YEAR AFFECTED BUT DOES NOT APPLY FOR SOME REASON AND DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO TAKE ANY ACTION TO REMEDIATE.
NHTSA ODI #11054958
202,000 miles · Dec 11, 2017
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER LEFT OR RIGHT. PAUL MILLER FORD IN LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER LEFT OR RIGHT. PAUL MILLER FORD IN LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPIARED UNDER MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: 14S05, A SECOND REPAIR WOULD NOT BE FREE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 202,000.
NHTSA ODI #11053933
NHTSA investigations
3DP22005 · 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.
DP15001 · Loss Of Power Steering While Driving
Opened Apr 1, 2015 · Closed Jun 14, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System
On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering input. When the system detects this fault condition, it transitions the EPAS system to the fail-safe/manual steering mode.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the proper repair procedure. If no DTCs are present, dealers are to update the PSCM and instrument cluster module software. The updated PSCM software changes the torque sensor fault strategy so that the SNR condition does not result in a loss of power steering assist while driving.In addition, audible and visual warnings are provided for torque sensor faults.If DTCs indicating faults in the torque sensor, PSCM or Power Steering Motor (motor) are present in the initial recall inspection, the dealer performs the following repairs: 1) replaces the torque sensor for torque sensor faults (DTC B2278); or 2) replaces the steering column for faults related to the PSCM (DTC B1342) or motor (DTC B2277).Continued in attachment pages
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.