NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,692 reports130,000 miles · Dec 20, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT I…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. UPDATED 02/15/17*LJ *CN
NHTSA ODI #10936438
78,000 miles · Dec 19, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA ODI #10936328
87,000 miles · Dec 19, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
NHTSA ODI #10936211
150,000 miles · Dec 16, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE STEER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STILL DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #10935910
12,000 miles · Dec 15, 2016
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or OtherCrashInjury
TAKATA RECALL I WAS DRIVING IN THE FAR LEFT LANE OF THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK AND MY CAR SHUT OFF, SOMETIMES MY CARS DOES NOT START. I HAVE HAD ALTERNATOR, STARTER TESTED, AND THEY ARE GOOD, MY CAMSHAFT SENSOR REPLACED, IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, SPARK PLUGS REPLACED, I KEEP A GOOD HANDLE ON MAINTENANCE UP, BUT MY CAR SHUTTIN…
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TAKATA RECALL I WAS DRIVING IN THE FAR LEFT LANE OF THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK AND MY CAR SHUT OFF, SOMETIMES MY CARS DOES NOT START. I HAVE HAD ALTERNATOR, STARTER TESTED, AND THEY ARE GOOD, MY CAMSHAFT SENSOR REPLACED, IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, SPARK PLUGS REPLACED, I KEEP A GOOD HANDLE ON MAINTENANCE UP, BUT MY CAR SHUTTING OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING AND SOMETIMES DON'T TURN ON AT ALL IS KEEP HAPPENING, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, VERY HARD TO TURN, ALL COMPONENTS IN MY CAR DON'T COME ON, GEARS LIGHT POPS ON AND OFF, DASHBOARD LIGHT SOMETIME FLICKERS. I HAVE HAD MY BACK LIGHTS. AND IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10935549
100,000 miles · Dec 15, 2016
Service Brakes
BRAKES BEGAN GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE STOPPING VEHICLE. HAD THE MAIN MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $307.63, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL? MANY OTHERS ARE OBVIOUSLY HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10935451
96,300 miles · Dec 13, 2016
Steering
2009 FORD ESCAPE HAS A SENSOR FAILURE AND TURNED OFF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING AND IN MOTION ON A STREET. THE STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER AT A TIME WHEN I DID NOT EXPECT THIS. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS FAILURE A FEW YEARS AGO AND THE FAILURE HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. WHY IS FORD HAVE SOFTWARE ISSUES THAT ARE…
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2009 FORD ESCAPE HAS A SENSOR FAILURE AND TURNED OFF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING AND IN MOTION ON A STREET. THE STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER AT A TIME WHEN I DID NOT EXPECT THIS. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS FAILURE A FEW YEARS AGO AND THE FAILURE HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. WHY IS FORD HAVE SOFTWARE ISSUES THAT ARE ALLOWED TO TURN OFF CRITICAL SYSTEMS (SAFETY) SUCH AS STEERING BECAUSE OF ANY SENSOR FAILURE. THIS SYSTEM SHOULD FAIL SAFE AND NEVER BE TURNING OFF SYSTEMS SUCH AS STEERING OR BRAKING!!!! THEY SHOULD ONLY BE ALLOWED TO MONITOR OR ASSIST AREAS SUCH AS STEERING OR BRAKING BUT ANY FAILURE SHOULD NEVER TURN OFF THOSE SYSTEMS; IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10935009
126,000 miles · Dec 5, 2016
Steering
THE VEHICLE IS LOSING POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WHILE IN THE MIDST OF LEFT HAND TURNS. THE CAR SUDDENLY BEEPS, NO WARNING LIGHT APPEARS, AND FOR 1-2 SECONDS THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. APPARENTLY THIS IS DUE TO A FAILING TORQUE SENSOR, AS THE DEALERSHIP REPORTS THAT IT IS SHOWING CODE B2278. THE FAULTY TORQUE SE…
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THE VEHICLE IS LOSING POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WHILE IN THE MIDST OF LEFT HAND TURNS. THE CAR SUDDENLY BEEPS, NO WARNING LIGHT APPEARS, AND FOR 1-2 SECONDS THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. APPARENTLY THIS IS DUE TO A FAILING TORQUE SENSOR, AS THE DEALERSHIP REPORTS THAT IT IS SHOWING CODE B2278. THE FAULTY TORQUE SENSOR IS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE WITH FORD ESCAPES, PART OF RECALL 14S05. BUT, RATHER THAN FIX THE PROBLEM (FROM WHAT I CAN TELL THEY FREELY ACKNOWLEDGE THE ORIGINAL TORQUE SENSORS WERE DEFECTIVE, AND THE NEW PARTS ARE OF AN IMPROVED, MORE DURABLE, AND SAFER DESIGN), FORD IS ONLY ISSUING A SOFTWARE UPDATE. APPARENTLY I HAD THIS SOFTWARE UPDATE COMPLETED IN 2014, AND YET HERE I AM WITH THE SAME MECHANICAL SAFETY ISSUE TWO YEARS LATER. THE SOFTWARE UPDATE, AS FAR AS MY RESEARCH REVEALS, DOES NOTHING TO ACTUALLY IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE, IT JUST MAKES THE CAR BEEP WHEN IT LOSES POWER STEERING. THERE ARE APPARENTLY 740,878 VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE, WHICH MEANS NEARLY A MILLION UNSAFE FORD ESCAPES AND MERCURY MARINERS ARE DRIVING AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH DEFECTIVE STEERING CONTROLS THAT COULD FAIL AT ANY POINT MID-TURN. FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO ACTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM (WITH PART REPLACEMENT) BEFORE TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10929862
75,000 miles · Dec 2, 2016
Steering
MY ELECTRONIC ASSISTED POWER STEERING STARTED MALFUNCTIONING IN6/16, IOT WOULD RESET ITSELF SOME AT FIRST BUT BY 7/16 IT TOTALLY QUIT. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR IT, TOOK IT BACK TO THE PLACE I PURCHASED IT, THEIR COMPUTER WOULDN'T TALK TO MINE. I THEN TOOK IS TO W W FORD DEALER IN SEARCY, AR WHERE THEY ADV…
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MY ELECTRONIC ASSISTED POWER STEERING STARTED MALFUNCTIONING IN6/16, IOT WOULD RESET ITSELF SOME AT FIRST BUT BY 7/16 IT TOTALLY QUIT. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR IT, TOOK IT BACK TO THE PLACE I PURCHASED IT, THEIR COMPUTER WOULDN'T TALK TO MINE. I THEN TOOK IS TO W W FORD DEALER IN SEARCY, AR WHERE THEY ADVISED IT WAS A RECALL COMPUTER UPDATE THAT THEY HAD ALREADY PERFORMED LAST YEAR WHEN THE FUEL SYSTEM QUIT & HAD TO BE UPDATED. THEY REFUSED TO LOOK AT IT, REFUSED TO HOOK IT UP TO THEIR DIAGNOSTICS COMPUTER AND I'VE BEEN STUCK "STRONG ARM STEERING SINCE.
NHTSA ODI #10929662
179,990 miles · Dec 1, 2016
Steering
2008-2011 FORD ESCAPE POWER STEERING RECALL 14S05 I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY CONCERNING A RECALL ON THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ON MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH WINNER FORD OF CHERRY HILL, NJ FOR THIS SERVICE, SINCE IT WAS THE CLOSEST DEALER AT THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO RETURN VEHIC…
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2008-2011 FORD ESCAPE POWER STEERING RECALL 14S05 I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY CONCERNING A RECALL ON THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ON MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH WINNER FORD OF CHERRY HILL, NJ FOR THIS SERVICE, SINCE IT WAS THE CLOSEST DEALER AT THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO RETURN VEHICLE FOR SERVICE. THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED THE SOFTWARE UPGRADE CITING THAT NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. AS OF NOVEMBER 28TH 2016, MY STEERING SYSTEM HAS BEGUN TO EXHIBIT PROBLEMS FROM THIS RECALL, THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE BOTH IDLE AND DRIVING SHAKES AND VIBRATES WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE AND MAKES PARKING DIFFICULT. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER CARE REGARDING THIS, HOWEVER I WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE THE RECALL WORK OF UPDATING SOFTWARE WAS PERFORMED, THAT THEY CONSIDERED THE ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE RESOLVED AND NO ADDITIONAL SERVICE WOULD BE PERFORMED UNDER THE 14S05 RECALL, HOWEVER AT MY OWN COSTS COULD HAVE THE VEHICLE RE-EVALUATED AT A DEALERSHIP AND AT MY OWN COST HAVE THE PROPER SERVICE PERFORMED TO REMEDY ANY ISSUED THEY MAY FIND. WHEEL SHAKING AND TURNING SLIGHTLY ON ITS OWN OCCURS WHILE BOTH STATIONARY AND DRIVING ON BOTH CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, ISSUE STOPS WHILE TURNING BUT RETURNS WHILE WHEEL IS NOT BEING MOVED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10928935
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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