NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
22 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Nov 19, 2024
Electrical SystemSteeringInjury
This is an update to the complaint from June- Because I have to compensate manually for the electric power steering, I’ve aggravated upper back injuries and strained hip muscles I incurred from work. I have to attend physical therapy for those injuries now, but it’s useless if my only mode of transportation prolongs my recovery.…
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This is an update to the complaint from June- Because I have to compensate manually for the electric power steering, I’ve aggravated upper back injuries and strained hip muscles I incurred from work. I have to attend physical therapy for those injuries now, but it’s useless if my only mode of transportation prolongs my recovery.—— My 2009 Mercury Mariner’s steering wheel started locking up 3 months ago, and it’s hard to get the steering wheel and the tires to agree on one direction. I looked up the make and model to see if there was a safety recall for it and there was, but my VIN wasn’t included in the recall campaign, even though it fits the criteria exactly. ///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.
NHTSA ODI #11626078
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2024
Electrical SystemSteering
My SUV was part of a recall due to the electronic power steering failing. My SUV was allegedly repaired by the cheapest of the three available options (computer reset or some such process). I bought my SUV in 2020. The electronic power steering slowly started going out intermittently and then more frequently over time, but is no…
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My SUV was part of a recall due to the electronic power steering failing. My SUV was allegedly repaired by the cheapest of the three available options (computer reset or some such process). I bought my SUV in 2020. The electronic power steering slowly started going out intermittently and then more frequently over time, but is now completely out. The dealer tested my SUV and stated that the entire steering column needs to be replaced. They claim that the problem has nothing to do with the recall, but I don't believe them. My issue is the exact same issue that prompted the recall in the first place. I should not have to pay for a failed recall repair. I think it's possible that the original dealership faked the repair, or simply chose the cheapest (but not proper) option to save themselves time and money. My shoulder is now damaged due to driving without power steering for so long. I need an honest evaluation of my vehicle and an investigation into whether or not the original dealer performed the proper repair. I would assume that the issue wouldn't come back if it had been repaired properly the first time.
NHTSA ODI #11563540
Mileage unknown · May 11, 2023
Electrical SystemSteeringVehicle Speed Control
The PCM shorts out and fails when sparkplug and Coil packs replaced this cause the steering system to fail speedometer to quit and no transmission connection
NHTSA ODI #11521608
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2023
Electrical SystemSteering
Electronic Power Steering System, which was part of a previous recall, and was allegedly fixed, but continues to experience the same loss of power steering. This is a continual problem, meaning that it is not a one time incident. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection at any time. When the power steering goes out while dri…
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Electronic Power Steering System, which was part of a previous recall, and was allegedly fixed, but continues to experience the same loss of power steering. This is a continual problem, meaning that it is not a one time incident. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection at any time. When the power steering goes out while driving, the steering wheel jerks to one side, and feels like a lock-up. The vehicle is still drivable, but can be dangerous in a situation where attempting to avoid an obstacle, could result in an inability to do so, because the maneuvers are being executed for a vehicle with power steering, so when it goes out, those same corrections will not successfully avoid a collision. The dealership is aware of the problem. They did a system check and insist that the steering column needs to be replaced, and that it has nothing to do with the previous recall, but it is exactly the same problem involved with the recall, therefore I do not believe they are differing issues. I believe the initial recall repair was unsuccessful, or the wrong fix. There were three or four options for fixing the issue. There are no warning lights that come on prior to the power steering going out, but a click can be heard however, at the exact moment when the mechanism for the power steering goes out. The same click can be heard when the vehicle is started and the power steering does come on. It usually comes on when it is cold outside. It will then go out once the car gets warm. I bought the car in January of 2000, and I did not experience the issue for a few months. When it did start happening, it was only once in a while - maybe every few months. The problem started happening more frequently with time, with the current status being that the power steering is predominantly not working.
NHTSA ODI #11504847
198,725 miles · Sep 7, 2022
Electrical System
The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that the key was hard to insert into the ignition switch. The power steering assist fault message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the failure was due to the ignition housing. The contact called the local …
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The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that the key was hard to insert into the ignition switch. The power steering assist fault message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the failure was due to the ignition housing. The contact called the local dealer who informed her the power steering was repaired in 2014 under NHTSA Campaign Number 14V284000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 198,725.
NHTSA ODI #11483372
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2022
Electrical System
My power steering assist is not functioning this is part of a current recall that apparently my car is not included in even though it was a recall for mercury mariners 06-10 and I drive an 09.
NHTSA ODI #11473918
Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2021
Electrical SystemSteering
Loss of power steering 90% of driving time
NHTSA ODI #11430909
113,000 miles · Mar 3, 2021
Electrical SystemSteering
THE WRENCH LIGHT ON THE DASH APPEARED AND THE POWER STEERING SHUT OFF WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. THE CAR STILL OPERATES AFTERWARDS, BUT THE WRENCH LIGHT IS STILL ON AND STEERING IS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS.
NHTSA ODI #11398974
150,000 miles · Sep 16, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE WHILE DRIVING. IF THE IGNITION KEY IS CYCLED THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MAY FUNCTION AGAIN. THE AFFECTED COMPONENT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE (PSCM) WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS IN 2014, HOWEVER ONLY THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED W…
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VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE WHILE DRIVING. IF THE IGNITION KEY IS CYCLED THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MAY FUNCTION AGAIN. THE AFFECTED COMPONENT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE (PSCM) WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS IN 2014, HOWEVER ONLY THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIR. THE MALFUNCTIONING COMPONENTS WERE NOT REPLACED AND THE ISSUE HAS RETURNED.
NHTSA ODI #11355433
142,000 miles · Nov 28, 2018
Electrical System
REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN BECAUSE ELECTRIC ACTUATOR HAS FAILED AGAIN, THEREFORE THE SPARE TIRE CANNOT BE ACCESSED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT'S BEEN REPLACED ONCE ALREADY. THIS IS A OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11154531
NHTSA investigations
2DP15001 · 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
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