Steering. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports3 fire reports1 injury reports

Steering complaints

70 reports

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64,000 miles · Oct 30, 2015

Steering

I INTERMITTENTLY & BRIEFLY LOOSE POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR 2008 THRU 2012 BUT THE DEALER SAID MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED THREE TIME IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI #10787297

78,000 miles · Apr 15, 2015

Power TrainSteering

VEHICLE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE TURNING LEFT. IN 2014 MY VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR A POWER STEERING RECALL. I DID NOT HAVE A POWER STEERING FAILURE UNTIL AFTER THE SOFTWARE UPDATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705960

128,000 miles · Feb 23, 2015

Steering

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OUR 17 YEAR OLD SON WAS MAKING A TURN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. HE NEARLY CRASHED INTO A TRUCK DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CAR BECAME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND HE WAS TAKEN BY SURPRISE. HE ABLE TO BARELY MUSCLE THE CAR AWAY FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER AND CALLED ME (HIS FATHER). IT TURNS OUT MY WIFE HAD TAKEN THE CAR INTO FORD JUST LAST FALL TO HAVE RECALL WORK DONE ON IT, AND ONLY NOW, AM I FINDING OUT THAT THE FAULTY PART INVOLVED IN THE RECALL WORK WAS NOT REPLACED BY FORD. IN FACT, NOBODY'S VEHICLES HAD THE FAULTY PART REPLACED. THEY JUST "ADJUSTED" IT. HOW THE NHTSA COULD ALLOW THIS IS BEYOND ME. BECAUSE OF THE NEAR COLLISION THAT OCCURRED IN THIS, I WILL MOST LIKELY FILE A SUIT AGAINST FORD FOR GIVING US THE IMPRESSION THAT A FAULTY PART WAS REPLACED WHEN IN FACT IT WAS NOT. I OWN 3 FORDS AND AM TAKING THIS VERY SERIOUSLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10690125

84,500 miles · Jan 16, 2015

Steering

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I OWN A 2009 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED HYBRID. THE PSCM FAILED. I PAID $1,322.41 TO GET IT FIXED. I READ IN MOTOR TREND THAT THERE IS A RECALL - 104765, FORD RECALL 14S05 -FOR THIS EXACT, SPECIFIC PROBLEM WITH 2009 FORD ESCAPES. I CALLED "FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE", OPENED CASE [XXX], AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL APPLIES TO EVERY CAR BUT MINE BECAUSE MY VIN WASN'T INCLUDED! HOWEVER, MY PROBLEM IS NOT WITH MY VIN, BUT WITH THE EXACT, SPECIFIC PART THAT WAS REFERENCED IN THE RECALL. FORD ADMITTED THAT IT MANUFACTURED AND INSTALLED A DEFECTIVE PSCM, BUT IS HIDING BEHIND A LAME EXCUSE THAT IT DOESN'T APPLY TO MY DEFECTIVE PSCM BECAUSE IT (FORD) NEGLECTED TO LIST MY VIN IN THE RECALL. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSURED ME THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT NHTSA BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THEM, SO I AM. I THINK THEY SAY THIS TO BLOW-OFF OWNERS WITH COMPLAINTS SO NHTSA DOESN'T FIND OUT ABOUT THEM. THEY LOST MY TRUST WITH THEIR LAME EXCUSE - "IT'S YOUR VIN THAT'S THE PROBLEM, NOT OUR DEFECTIVE PART." FEEL FREE TO CONTACT FORD AND REFERENCE MY COMPLAINT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10673100

45,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014

Service BrakesSteering

BRAKES HAVE GIVEN OUT, WHILE COMING TO A RED STOP LIGHT LUCK THAT NO ONE WAS AROUND WHEN I RAN THE LIGHT SENT TO DEALER THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE ISSUE BUT THEY DID A UPDATE ON STEERING AND KNOW WHEN BACKING UP STEERING GETS STIFF, CAUSING TURN RADIUS TO BECOME EXTREME,BUT ONLY DOES IT SOMETIMES.WENT BACK TO DEALER NO PROBLEM FO…

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NHTSA ODI #10659338

96,700 miles · Nov 6, 2014

Steering

TOTAL POWER STEERING FAILURE ON START UP WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT SINCE THEN. SEEMS MOST LIKELY TO FAIL WHEN COLD. SO FAR IT HAS STARTED WORKING ONCE WARMED UP AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL WHEN THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING. I'M CONCERNED IT WILL FAIL WH…

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NHTSA ODI #10652993

70,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014

Steering

ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT ACTIVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. RESTARTING THE VEHICLE CORRECTED THE ISSUE. LUCKILY, NO SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, ONLY IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576099

116,617 miles · Feb 2, 2014

Steering

TWO TIMES ON 2/1 THE POWER STEERING QUITE WORKING FOR A FEW SECONDS WHILE DRIVING ON A MOUNTAIN FREEWAY. THE SAFE ISSUE OCCURRED TWO OTHER TIMES IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS. THE POWER STEERING IS WORKING FIND AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STOPS AND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO GET THE VEHICLE TO TURN. VERY SCARY FOR MY WIFE IS THE ONE THAT DRIV…

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NHTSA ODI #10562569

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2014

Steering

2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POWER STEERING FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS DAUGHTER STARTED THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. AFTER SEVERAL STARTS, THE POWER STEERING WOULD ACTIVATE. THE PROBLEM WORSENED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS, WHERE IT WOULD TAKE DOZENS OF ATTEMPTS FOR THE P…

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NHTSA ODI #10561993

73,000 miles · Oct 29, 2013

Steering

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WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A WINDING ROAD, THE STEERING LOCKED AND I DID NOT HAVE CONTROL FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN IT CAME BACK. THIS HAS OCCASIONALLY HAPPENED IN THE PAST, BUT THOUGHT IS WAS SOMETHING RELATED TO THE BATTERY. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED A FEW MONTHS AGO, AND OBVIOUSLY NOT THE ISSUE. BROUGHT TO FORD DEALER. THEY SAID I THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $1300.00 PLUS. THEY SAID IT WAS A FAULTY SENSOR TO THE POWER STEERING. THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE IS NO WARNING WITH THIS AND RECOMMENDED THAT I NOT DRIVE THE CAR, EVEN THOUGH THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART, NOR DID THEY OFFER ME ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION. IF THEY VIEW IT AS THIS DANGEROUS, AND THE PART IS BACKORDERED BECAUSE IT IS SO COMMON, HOW ON EARTH IS THIS NOT A RECALL COVERED BYFORD? ARE THEY WAITING FOR ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT? I HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO GET TO WORK IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE PART. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. PERHAPS THERE IS LEGAL ACTION TO TAKE. ADDITIONALLY, THE DEALER WANTS ME TO "PREPAY" FOR THE PART. I HAVE NEVER, IN MY ENTIRE LIFE, PREPAID FOR A PART FROM THE DEALER. MY MECHANIC CANNOT FIX IT BECAUSE FORD HAS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR A THIRD PARTY TO DO THIS. THIS IS MY FIRST FORD AND WILL BE MY LAST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10549975

Official recalls

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

DP22005 · 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.