Steering. Review the 827 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 301 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 279 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

34 crash reports2 fire reports8 injury reports

Steering complaints

827 reports

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140,000 miles · Dec 30, 2013

Steering

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I WAS TRYING TO DET OVER WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING ACTED LIKE IT WAS LOCKED UP AND VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON. THE PROBLEM QUIT. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED AND IS VERY SCARY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557684

107,668 miles · Dec 29, 2013

Steering

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY FROM ALBUQUERQUE TO LAS CRUCES WHEN MY STEERING BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. I QUICKLY PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AND CALLED MY BOYFRIEND TO ASK HIM WHAT TO DO. HE SAID RESTART YOUR CAR SEE IF THAT RESETS IT. IT DID WORK. THEN LATER I PARKED AND THE STEERING WHEEL JUST STARTED SHAKING VIGOROUSLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SIX MORE TIMES SINCE THEN RANGING FROM SPEEDS OF 20 TO 75 MILES AND HOUR. I HAVE READ ONLINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS TO ME TO BE A VERY UNSAFE THING TO HAVE HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE FREEWAY. VERY SCARY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU CAN'T STEER OR ITS VERY HARD TO STEER. I ALSO DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY FORD WOULD REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN VERSUS JUST THE SENSOR. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A BIG TURN AND IT HAD STOPPED WORKING IT COULD HAVE BEEN A HORRIBLE WRECK. IF THERE IS ANYWAY POSSIBLE THAT THIS COULD BE A RECALL TO REPLACE THE SENSOR OR COLUMN IT WOULD MAKE EVERYONE DRIVING FEEL THAT MUCH MORE SAFER ON THE ROADS. THANK YOU FOR HELP WITH THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557613

143,000 miles · Dec 28, 2013

Steering

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I PURCHASED A 2009 ESCAPE NEW. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 142,00 MILES AND IS HAVING AN ISSUE. MY WIFE CALLED ME ON DECEMBER 24 2013 AND SAID THAT THE CAR WAS HARD TO STEER. SHE SAID THAT EARLIER IN THE DAY SHE WAS TURNING INTO AN ENTRANCE TO A GAS STATION AND MISJUDGED WHERE THE RAMP WAS AND THE CURB AND HOPED THE CURB WITH DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE. SHE SAID SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE INTO THE STATION TO GET GAS. I TOLD HER THE NOISE WAS MOST LIKELY THE STRUT BOTTOMING OUT. I ASKED HER HOW WAS THE STEERING AFTER THAT SHE SAID IT WAS FINE. THIS TOOK PLACE IN THE AM. SHE CALLED ME AROUND 5 PM. AND SAID THE CAR WAS HARD TO STEER AGAIN I TOLD HER TO TURN THE CAR OFF TAKE OUT THE KEY AND OPEN THE DOOR AND THEN CLOSE THE DOOR AND RESTART THE CAR AS THIS WOULD REST ALL THE ELECTRONICS. SHE DID THIS AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I TOLD HER I WOULD LOOK AT IT WHEN I CAME HOME. SHE CALLED ME AGAIN AROUND 6 PM AND SAID THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I TOLD HER TO TURN IT OFF AND RESTART IT AGAIN. THIS CLEARED UP THE PROBLEM. AFTER GETTING OFF WORK I CAME HOME AND CRAWLED UNDER THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY DAMAGE. I FOUND NO DAMAGE. DECEMBER 26, 27 SHE CALLED ME AND SAID IT WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.ON DEC 27 WE WHERE GOING TO TAKE THE FAMILY OUT TO EAT AND THE STEERING BECAME HARD FOR ME TO STEER. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESET, ISSUE CLEARED UP. AS I WAS DRIVING I COULD FEEL THE STEERING WHEEL PULSATING. I WENT TO DEALERSHIP, PULLED INTO THE SERVICE LANE AND NOTICED THAT WHILE IN PARK WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING THE STEERING WHEEL PULSATED BACK AND FORTH BY IT SELF. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT SOMETIMES LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE CAN CAUSE THE PROBLEM. I SAID I WAS AWARE OF THAT AND DID A LOAD TEST ON BATTERY AND IT IS FINE AS WELL AS THE CHARGING SYSTEM. I WENT OUT TODAY DEC 28 AND STARED THE VEHICLE AND THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. I TRIED IT TWICE BOTH TIMES THE SAME RESULT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557568

129,000 miles · Dec 27, 2013

Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE I…

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NHTSA ODI #10557435

140,000 miles · Dec 9, 2013

Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED WHAT CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. T…

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NHTSA ODI #10555382

Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2013

Service BrakesSteering

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I WAS TRAVELING ON THE TURNPIKE WHEN ALL AT ONCE MY CAR JERKED THEN LOST POWER, I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR SO I COASTED ON THE MEDIAN TILL THE CAR ALLOWED ME TO TURN ONTO AN EXIT RAMP. MY HUSBAND CAME AND CHECKED THE TRUCK, IT STARTED AND SEEMED TO BE OKAY. THE ENTIRE MONTH OF NOVEMBER THE TRUCK STARTS HOWEVER THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. I HAVE TO CUT THE CAR OFF AND ON AT LEAST 6 TIMES WHILE TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL BEFORE IT UNLOCKS AND ALLOWS ME TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. MY HUSBAND CALLED THE FORD DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, AND I WOULD HAVE TO BEAR THE COST. I DON'T FEEL THIS IS FAIR BECAUSE I RESEARCHED THIS MATTER AND FOUND THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MATTER. I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK BECAUSE I'M AFRAID THERE COULD BE A CATASTROPHE. I THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO FIX THIS MATTER. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555132

13,000 miles · Dec 2, 2013

Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC RE REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10554343

85,505 miles · Nov 25, 2013

Electrical SystemSteering

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OUR 2009 FORD ESCAPE HAS LOST IT'S POWER STEERING, WHILE I WAS DRIVING, TWICE THIS WEEK. IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, YET IT WAS STILL RUNNING. IT IS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SO THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT IT (I INITIALLY THOUGHT MY POWER STEERING FLUID MUST BE LOW). THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, ON FRIDAY, I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. NOTHING SHOWED UP ON THE DASHBOARD AT THE TIME AND NOTHING SHOWED UP ON HIS SCANNERS. WHEN THE TRUCK WAS STARTED AGAIN THE STEERING WORKED FINE. WE DECIDED IT MUST BE A FLUKE. WE ONLY HAVE 85,505 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. IT JUST HAPPENED TO ME AGAIN, WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MY HUSBAND WAS SUPPOSED TO DRIVE TO OUR FRIEND'S HOUSE NORTH OF BOSTON (WE ARE SOUTH OF BOSTON). HE CANCELLED. IT TERRIFIES ME TO THINK OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED TO HIM AT HIGH SPEED ON THOSE HIGHWAYS. WE GOT ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN 2008 & 2009 FORD ESCAPES. IT TURNS OUT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AVERAGE COST IS $1500. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS DANGEROUS LIFE SAFETY PROBLEM YET HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. DO PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO DIE FIRST? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553707

126,000 miles · Nov 25, 2013

Steering

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WAS DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS ON RESIDENTIAL ROADS AND POWER STEERING STOPPED WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND COULD NOT TURN THE WILL WITHOUT HARD FORCE AND IT STILL WOULDN'T TURN FULLY ONLY TURNED ABOUT MAYBE 20 DEGREES LEFT OR RIGHT, VERY DANGEROUS THE EPAS IS TERRIBLE TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON AND IT STARTED WORKING UNTIL MY WIFE DROVE IT AND GOT STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD... TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM IM TAKING IT TO A FORD DEALER TODAY AND WILL PAY AN ARM AND A LEG TO PROTECT MY WIFE AND 8 MONTH OLD SON FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULDN'T BE FAULTY IN THE FIRST PLACE VERY UNNERVING TO KNOW FORD WOULD ALLOW NO REMEDY FOR SOMETHING SO DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553689

18,300 miles · Nov 21, 2013

Steering

WHILE MAKING A SLOW RIGHT TURN THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING. I GOT OFF THE ROAD, CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD & FOUND NOTHING. GOT OUT THE MANUAL, IT SAYS POWER STEERING IS ALL ELECTRIC AND THERE IS NOTHING TO CHECK. I RESTARTED THE ESCAPE AND POWER STEERING WAS FINE. AFTER 80MILES ON THE ROAD A SUDDEN POWER STEERING FAILURE WITH N…

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NHTSA ODI #10553266

Official recalls

14V284000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

May 29, 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.

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

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

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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