NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
827 reportsClear category filter150,000 miles · Dec 29, 2020
Steering
I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, I TURNED LEFT AT A LIGHT AS I SHOULD, THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT WITH NO WARNING, ABSOLUTELY NO POWER STEERING AS I WAS TURNING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION . I WAS GOING MUCH SLOWER THAN 25 MPH SPEED LIMIT, SINCE I WAS TURNING. I ALMOST CRASHED INTO A CURB\STREET SIGN, BUT WAS ABLE TO TUR…
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I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, I TURNED LEFT AT A LIGHT AS I SHOULD, THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT WITH NO WARNING, ABSOLUTELY NO POWER STEERING AS I WAS TURNING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION . I WAS GOING MUCH SLOWER THAN 25 MPH SPEED LIMIT, SINCE I WAS TURNING. I ALMOST CRASHED INTO A CURB\STREET SIGN, BUT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL WITH ALL MY STRENGTH TO MAKE IT TURN WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING. I ALWAYS TAKE CARE OF MY VEHICLE, THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING, I'M LUCKY I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY OR GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A SAFETY RECALL. I EXPECT AN IMMEDIATE SOLUTION.
NHTSA ODI #11385501
110,550 miles · Dec 28, 2020
Steering
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I APPLIED MY BRAKES AND PREPARED TO TAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO A BUSINESS PARKING LOT. AS I PERFORMED THE TURN, THE DASHBOARD MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" AND THE VEHICLE BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN/STEER. A VEHICLE WAS WAITING TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT I WAS ENTER…
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AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I APPLIED MY BRAKES AND PREPARED TO TAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO A BUSINESS PARKING LOT. AS I PERFORMED THE TURN, THE DASHBOARD MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" AND THE VEHICLE BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN/STEER. A VEHICLE WAS WAITING TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT I WAS ENTERING. DUE TO THE POWER STEERING FAILING, I ALMOST COLLIDED WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11385168
120,981 miles · Dec 27, 2020
Steering
SO TODAY ON 12/27/2020 I WAS HOUSE SITIING FOR A FRIEND AND WHILE CHECKING PULLING DOWN THE STREET TO THE HOUSE MY SENSOR CAME ON ALERTING ME OF A POWER STEERING FAULT AND A MAINTENANCE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER NOTICING THIS I PARKED THE CAR IN MY FRIENDS DRIVEWAY FINISHED HIS REQUESTS AND HEADED BACK TO THE CAR. WHEN I ENTERED MY C…
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SO TODAY ON 12/27/2020 I WAS HOUSE SITIING FOR A FRIEND AND WHILE CHECKING PULLING DOWN THE STREET TO THE HOUSE MY SENSOR CAME ON ALERTING ME OF A POWER STEERING FAULT AND A MAINTENANCE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER NOTICING THIS I PARKED THE CAR IN MY FRIENDS DRIVEWAY FINISHED HIS REQUESTS AND HEADED BACK TO THE CAR. WHEN I ENTERED MY CAR TO PULL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I FELT IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL OF MY CAR AND HAVING TROUBLES STEERING. AT THIS POINT I CANCELLED MY OTHER PLANS AND DROVE THE CAR HOME AND PARKED IT AFTER EXPERIENCING EXTREME DIFFICULTY DRIVING THE CAR AND TRYING TO TURN THE VEHICLE. I AFTER TAKING IT HOME CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID CONTAINER TO SEE IF IT WAS LOW TO WHICH IT WAS NOT AND CHECKED THE PIPES TO SEE IF THE CAR MAYBE WAS LEAKING FOR A PIPE MAYBE RUPTURING WHICH I DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. I FOUND ONLINE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE BUT DID THE SEARCH FOR THE VIN NUMBER AND FOUND MY CAR NEVER RECEIVED IT IN THE MAIL AND THE CAR WAS NEVER SERVICED FOR THIS ISSUE. SO I AM NOT REALLY SURE WHAT IS WRONG AND HOPEFULLY HOPE I DON'T NEED TO PAY 1600 DOLLARS TO FIX THE POWER STEERING HOPEFULLY.
NHTSA ODI #11385119
131,000 miles · Dec 21, 2020
Steering
MY STEERING COLUMN STARTED LOCK UP ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. IT HAPPENING MORE OFTEN NOW. I HAVE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND IT RESET ITSELF. I WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT IS IS THE STEERING COLUMN AND WOULD HAVE TO FIX BY DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE SPECIAL TOOLS. I ALSO SEARCHED Y-TUBE AND THEIR WAS RECALL ON THE POWER STEERIN…
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MY STEERING COLUMN STARTED LOCK UP ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. IT HAPPENING MORE OFTEN NOW. I HAVE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND IT RESET ITSELF. I WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT IS IS THE STEERING COLUMN AND WOULD HAVE TO FIX BY DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE SPECIAL TOOLS. I ALSO SEARCHED Y-TUBE AND THEIR WAS RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING SENSOR BACK IN 2009 THROUGH 2011- I DID NOT PURCHASE THIS TRUCK UNTIL 2016. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIR, WHEN IT WAS NOT FIXED ACCORDINGLY DURING THE RECALL. I SEE THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL OF THESE COMPLAINTS OVER LAST 3 MONTHS. I USED THIS CAR TO TRAVEL OUT OF TOWN, BUT THANK GOODNESS IT START HAPPENING IN CITY STREET. THIS IS A ACCIDENT AWAITING TO HAPPEN.
NHTSA ODI #11384466
135,000 miles · Dec 10, 2020
Steering
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AT 45 MPH, THE "POWER STEERING SENSOR FAULT" LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO WORK SAFELY, HOWEVER, ONCE I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN, I NOTICED A LOSS OF STEERING. THERE HAVE BEEN A PREVIOUS RECALL ON THIS VERY ISSUE, YET MY VIN NUMBER ON THE CAR WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL …
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AT 45 MPH, THE "POWER STEERING SENSOR FAULT" LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO WORK SAFELY, HOWEVER, ONCE I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN, I NOTICED A LOSS OF STEERING. THERE HAVE BEEN A PREVIOUS RECALL ON THIS VERY ISSUE, YET MY VIN NUMBER ON THE CAR WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL LIST. HAD THE LOSS OF STEERING OCCUR WHILE DRIVING, I WOULD'VE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THERE ARE MANY CURVED ROADS WHERE I LIVE IN FLORIDA. ANOTHER RECALL NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR A MONTH.
NHTSA ODI #11382932
140,000 miles · Dec 4, 2020
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #11377916
175,000 miles · Nov 30, 2020
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CONTACTED AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO GREENWAY FORD (9001 E COLONIAL DR, ORLANDO, FL 32817, (888) 984-4895) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CONTACTED AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO GREENWAY FORD (9001 E COLONIAL DR, ORLANDO, FL 32817, (888) 984-4895) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
NHTSA ODI #11377184
191,335 miles · Nov 28, 2020
Steering
POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY NOT WORKING WHEN CAR IS STARTED AND OPERATED. THERE IS RECALL 14S05 OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR ESCAPES BUILT IN THE KANSAS CITY PLANT WHICH THIS ONE WAS. OBVIOUSLY MY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THE RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11376859
92,500 miles · Nov 28, 2020
SteeringUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHERE I CANNOT STEER THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND THEN TURN IT OFF, RESTART THE CAR TO CONTINUE. IT HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN. IT HAPPENS BOTH GOING STRAIGHT AND MAKING A TURN. IT SEEMS LIKE IT HAPPENS WHEN I'M SLOWING DOWN OR COMING TO A STOP. IT HAPPENED MANY TIMES. I WILL LIST THE …
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WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHERE I CANNOT STEER THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND THEN TURN IT OFF, RESTART THE CAR TO CONTINUE. IT HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN. IT HAPPENS BOTH GOING STRAIGHT AND MAKING A TURN. IT SEEMS LIKE IT HAPPENS WHEN I'M SLOWING DOWN OR COMING TO A STOP. IT HAPPENED MANY TIMES. I WILL LIST THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT SINCE.
NHTSA ODI #11376780
150,000 miles · Nov 24, 2020
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER DORIAN FORD (35900 GRATIOT AVE, CLINTON TWP, MI 48035: (586) 792-4100) AND MADE THE DEALER AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #11376128
NHTSA investigations
3DP15001 · 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
PE13003 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Opened Feb 21, 2013 · Closed Feb 28, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
On February 21, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 to investigate allegations of electronic throttle body (ETB) failures resulting in sudden reduction of engine power in model year (MY) 2009-2013 Ford Escape, Fusion, Mariner and Milan vehicles. During this investigation, Ford identified a condition in subject vehicles equipped with 2.5L and 3.0L engines that may result in a sudden reduction of engine power.According to Ford, the ETB internal motor contacts may develop a high resistance material buildup condition on the commutator, resulting in intermittent electrical connectivity and reduced engine power. When this condition occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or Wrench light will illuminate and the vehicle may enter a limited limp home mode.Ford?s trade name for the feature is Failure Mode Effects Management (FMEM) mode.In this mode, engine power and vehicle speed are reduced, while full function of the power steering, power braking, lighting, and climate control systems are maintained.ODI?s complaint analysis indicate that the predominant failure mode involved reduced motive power associated with the limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Analysis of warranty claims provided by Ford identified 59,807 claims related to ETB replacements and approximately 50 percent of claims are associated with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed.Ford described several factors where the ETB motor may fail resulting in DTCs P2111 or P2112 but the failure is not an existing stuck open or closed ETB valve position.According to Ford, the ETB control strategy provides the driver with three FMEM modes that allow varying degrees of vehicle mobility depending on the severity of the fault detected.DTCs associated with stuck open or closed throttle valves are designated the highest failure severity resulting in engine speeds limited to high idle corresponding 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.Other FMEM limp modes may result in reduced engine performance but will maintain vehicle speed above 20mph. During this investigation, Ford and its suppliers, Delphi and Igarashi, updated the powertrain control module (PCM) software to include a throttle body motor cleaning cycle during key-on and modified the ETB internal motor components design, surface finish and material composition to improve durability. Additionally, Ford developed a remedy procedure and issued a special Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) 13N03 extending the ETB warranty coverage and instructing dealers to update the powertrain calibration to improve vehicle performance in the event that intermittent electrical connectivity of the throttle body motor contacts occurs. The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, all vehicles are eligible for the program through January 31, 2015 regardless of mileage.Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by mail to take their vehicle to a Ford dealer who will reprogram the PCM to the latest calibration. The bulletin was sent to dealers on January 17, 2014 and the owner letter mailing began on January 27, 2014. See the investigative file for copies of Ford's bulletin and owner letter. This preliminary evaluation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding that
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.
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