THIS PAST WINTER THE DRIVERS SIDE EXIT SHAFT SEAL FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SERVICED BY OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER. UPON RETURN MY WIFE NOTED THE STEERING COCKED TO THE LEFT SLIGHTLY BUT NO OTHER ISSUES, I TOLD HER THAT THEY PROBABLE WERE OFF A TOOTH ON THE PITMAN ARM AND THAT SHE NEEDED TO TAKE IT BACK, SHE HAD NOT. THE DAY IN QU…
Read full complaint
THIS PAST WINTER THE DRIVERS SIDE EXIT SHAFT SEAL FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SERVICED BY OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER. UPON RETURN MY WIFE NOTED THE STEERING COCKED TO THE LEFT SLIGHTLY BUT NO OTHER ISSUES, I TOLD HER THAT THEY PROBABLE WERE OFF A TOOTH ON THE PITMAN ARM AND THAT SHE NEEDED TO TAKE IT BACK, SHE HAD NOT. THE DAY IN QUESTION WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAD WITNESSED THE MALFUNCTION. I HAD MADE A TURN OFF A SECONDARY STREET TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS ABOUT A 90 DEGREE TURN, AND WHEN I EXITED THE TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STILL AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE OFF NEUTRAL. IT STAYED THIS WAY FOR A FEW SECONDS AS I ACCELERATED DOWN THE ON RAMP, THEN VIOLENTLY RETURNED TO NEUTRAL. I PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER AND CHECKED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. THIS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES THAT DAY AND THE FOLLOWING DAY. I MADE SEVERAL 90 DEGREE TURNS TO SEE IF I COULD DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. MY WIFE LET ME KNOW THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED TO HER, USUALLY WHEN SHE WAS PARKING THE CAR AT SCHOOL. WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE WHEEL WOULD RETURN TO NORMAL. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THIS MORNING THAT THERE ARE PARTS ON ORDER FOR THE STEERING GEAR AND STEERING POSITION SENSOR. WHEN WE RETURNED HOME, WE WERE IN FT WORTH TEXAS FOR THE WEEKEND IN QUESTION, I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD SEEN THIS A FEW TIMES BUT THAT IT WAS OKAY TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE AND NOTIFY THE NHTSA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10460122
30,000 miles · May 17, 2011
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN TWICE BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A THIRD TIME AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPRO…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN TWICE BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A THIRD TIME AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 176,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
NHTSA ODI #10401340
108,000 miles · Mar 30, 2011
Steering
ON SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2011 I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING AS MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE IDLED. THIS 'SHAKING' IS RANDOM; IT DOESN'T OCCUR ALL THE TIME. SINCE AROUND THE BEGINNING OF MARCH, THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES THAT, WHEN I START THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING FREEZES. TO RECTIFY IT, I SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, WAITED A FEW MOMENTS…
Read full complaint
ON SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2011 I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING AS MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE IDLED. THIS 'SHAKING' IS RANDOM; IT DOESN'T OCCUR ALL THE TIME. SINCE AROUND THE BEGINNING OF MARCH, THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES THAT, WHEN I START THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING FREEZES. TO RECTIFY IT, I SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, WAITED A FEW MOMENTS, RE-STARTED IT AND POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. ONE TIME HOWEVER, THE 'FREEZING' OCCURRED WHEN I TURNED A CORNER. ON MARCH 29 THE POWER STEERING 'FROZE' AGAIN. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN A COUPLE OF TIMES TO RESTORE POWER STEERING BUT IT WAS STILL ABSENT. I DROVE ABOUT 60 MILES WITH NO POWER STEERING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP MARCH 30 AND WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW STEERING COLUMN, AT A COST OF $1200 FOR PARTS ALONE. I WAS ALSO TOLD IN THE INTERIM, BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN IT IS REPAIRED IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE HAS BEEN WELL-DRIVEN FOR THE TWO AND A HALF YEARS I'VE HAD IT, WITH NO COLLISIONS, ETC. THAT MAY HAVE COMPROMISED IT'S QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10393736
27,850 miles · Oct 12, 2010
SteeringCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GRAVEL DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE GEAR SELECTOR SHIFTED IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION. UNEXPECTEDLY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED 50 FEET APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 10 -15 MPH AND STRUCK A WOODEN FENCE POST CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP. T…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GRAVEL DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE GEAR SELECTOR SHIFTED IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION. UNEXPECTEDLY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED 50 FEET APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 10 -15 MPH AND STRUCK A WOODEN FENCE POST CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CONTACT THEN ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SPINNING 360 DEGREES. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN DETACHED FROM THE BASE AND THE STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING EMERGED THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD. IN ADDITION, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT BUMPER SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO BODY REPIAR SHOP AND REPAIRED FOR THE DAMAGES. A FIELD ENGINEER INVESTIGATED THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON THE OUTCOME OF THE INVESTIGATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,850. UPDATED 01/24/11 *CN UPDATED 04.18.11
NHTSA ODI #10360056
23,389 miles · Jun 11, 2010
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND WOULD NOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND WHEN RESTARTING THE FOLLOWING DAY AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE STEERING …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND WOULD NOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND WHEN RESTARTING THE FOLLOWING DAY AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 23,389.
NHTSA ODI #10335861
1,356 miles · Feb 16, 2010
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY HE NOTICED THAT WHEN HE TURNED THE STEERING TO THE RIGHT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AS IF METAL HITTING AGAINST METAL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING WAS…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY HE NOTICED THAT WHEN HE TURNED THE STEERING TO THE RIGHT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AS IF METAL HITTING AGAINST METAL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE STEERING. THE DEALER STATED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS BLACK AND IT IS WARM, THAT IS WHY HE WAS HEARING THAT NOISE. HOWEVER THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS. HE DOESN'T KNOW THE NAME OF THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE DEALER ORDERED AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINEER'S INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER .THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS AN INDEPENDENT DEALER THEREFORE THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,356 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,200.
NHTSA ODI #10310858
1,113 miles · Aug 29, 2009
SteeringStructure
2009 FORD ESCAPE (RENTAL CAR) I RECEIVED THIS NEW RENTAL CAR FROM A MAJOR RENTAL CAR COMPANY AT THE SEATTLE/TACOMA AIRPORT WITH ONLY WITH 83 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I RENTED THE CAR ON APPROXIMATELY 7-7-09. ON 7-13-09, WITH APPROXIMATELY 1,100 MILES ON IT, THE FRONT (PASSENGER SIDE) WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM (I B…
Read full complaint
2009 FORD ESCAPE (RENTAL CAR) I RECEIVED THIS NEW RENTAL CAR FROM A MAJOR RENTAL CAR COMPANY AT THE SEATTLE/TACOMA AIRPORT WITH ONLY WITH 83 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I RENTED THE CAR ON APPROXIMATELY 7-7-09. ON 7-13-09, WITH APPROXIMATELY 1,100 MILES ON IT, THE FRONT (PASSENGER SIDE) WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM (I BELIEVE THAT IS WHAT IT IS CALLED). I DO KNOW IT CAME OFF THE SPINDLE. MY WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE ON VACATION WITH ME WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. I HAD EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND NEAR THE END OF THE EXIT LANE, I WAS DRIVING AROUND A SHARP, LEFT HAND, BANKED, HAIRPIN CORNER THAT CROSSES OVER THE HIGHWAY. THE EXIT LANE WAS EXTREMELY LONG AND I BELIEVE I WAS GOING ABOUT 20-25 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN THE WHEEL SEPARATED HALFWAY THROUGH THE HAIRPIN TURN. I HEARD A CLUNK CLUNK AND THE TIRE SKIDDING. IT WAS HARD TO KEEP THE FORD ESCAPE FROM LEAVING THE ROADWAY ON THE RIGHT, BUT BECAUSE OF MY LOW SPEED, I WAS ABLE TO MOVE OVER TO THE SHOULDER UNDER CONTROL. I AM EXTREMELY THANKFUL THE WHEEL DID NOT SEPARATE FROM THE CHASSIS WHEN WE WERE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO DAMAGE TO THE FENDER OR FENDER WELL AND FROM WHAT I COULD SEE NO DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL. IT LOOKED LIKE A BOLT WAS MISSING FROM THE COLLAR (I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU CALL IT) THAT SURROUNDS THE SPINDLE. DON'T THESE BOLTS HAVE COTTER PINS? THE TIRE WENT FLAT AFTER THREE HOURS. THE POLICEMAN ASKED ME IF I HAD RUN OVER SOMETHING. I DIDN'T THINK SO, BUT WE WALKED THE ROADWAY BEFORE THE SKIDMARKS ANYWAY. NEITHER THE POLICEMAN NOR I FOUND ANYTHING. I NEVER ABUSED THE RENTAL CAR. I HAVE PICTURES. *TR
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
3
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.
Illustration