NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
315 reportsMileage unknown · Nov 29, 2024
Steering
Power steering stopped working completely.... was taking a turn and the steering became stiff and shook a little and went back to normal. Parked the car. started the car 2 hours later and steering completely stiff... no power steering. a quick google search of this common issue will tell you : Ford owners forum groups with t…
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Power steering stopped working completely.... was taking a turn and the steering became stiff and shook a little and went back to normal. Parked the car. started the car 2 hours later and steering completely stiff... no power steering. a quick google search of this common issue will tell you : Ford owners forum groups with the same issue, complain that Ford apparently only did reprogramming and did not replace the actual part causing the issue, when checking the codes, it did not show the failure yet, so they reprogrammed the unit to check the box Ford completed the safety recall. Recall 14V284000: Loss Of Power Steering Assist NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 14V284000 "STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM" (5/28/2014) Summary: 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: 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. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11627895
Mileage 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
170,000 miles · Oct 4, 2024
Steering
The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while her son was driving at various speeds, the vehicle intermittently experienced a loss of power steering assist. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to…
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The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while her son was driving at various speeds, the vehicle intermittently experienced a loss of power steering assist. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
NHTSA ODI #11618098
Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2024
Steering
The power steering on my vehicle has failed and the repair shop stated there is an expired recall for the steering on this vehicle from 2014. I bought my vehicle (2009 Mercury Mariner) 1 year ago. VIN: [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11617716
131,000 miles · Sep 3, 2024
Steering
The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while driving 30-35 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle after 15-20 minutes, and the power steering became functional. The contact was able to continue…
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The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while driving 30-35 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle after 15-20 minutes, and the power steering became functional. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. The dealer was contacted and charged a fee for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.
NHTSA ODI #11612252
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2024
Steering
The contact's fiancée owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); however, a month after the recall repair, the vehicle lost power steering functionality while driving at an undisclosed speed. The dealer was notified of the failure an…
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The contact's fiancée owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); however, a month after the recall repair, the vehicle lost power steering functionality while driving at an undisclosed speed. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a fee would be charged for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer later informed that the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) was previously updated under the recall; however, the manufacturer informed the contact that there was no record of the recall repair in the vehicle repair history. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA ODI #11594154
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2024
Steering
My 2009 Mercury Mariner’s steering wheel started locking up 3 months ago, making it impossible to drive. I looked up the make and model to see if there was a safety recall on 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 rec…
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My 2009 Mercury Mariner’s steering wheel started locking up 3 months ago, making it impossible to drive. I looked up the make and model to see if there was a safety recall on 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 #11592974
Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2024
SteeringUnknown Or Other
Months back there were times the power steering would go out, it would be for short amount of times and always came back. As of 40+ days ago the power steering has totally gone out and has not once come back. The dash says "power steering assist fault" The other issue is the wrench on the dash. It's normally after driving for qu…
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Months back there were times the power steering would go out, it would be for short amount of times and always came back. As of 40+ days ago the power steering has totally gone out and has not once come back. The dash says "power steering assist fault" The other issue is the wrench on the dash. It's normally after driving for quite some time. Even if there has been a break on the car while grocery shopping etc. when it comes on the car goes into limp mode. VERY DANGEROUS as we cannot tell when it'll happen. There has been multiple times the light turns green we take off, get to about 15-20MPH and she just stops. The dash reads to safetly pull over and I believe it says to shut off the car. This has been happening for 5+ months. There is also random over heating when that happens. This is based on how I remember it. Because of the safety issues I have not driven the vehicle. My husband drives it because he can handle no power steering better then me... Not that it's better for anyone to use..
NHTSA ODI #11585642
150,000 miles · Jan 9, 2024
Steering
The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering wheel was locked. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer…
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The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering wheel was locked. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #11564411
175,000 miles · Jan 8, 2024
Steering
The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while driving around a traffic circle and making a left turn at approximately 20 MPH, the power steering failed to function as intended. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stopped the vehicle and turned off and restarted the vehicle h…
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The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while driving around a traffic circle and making a left turn at approximately 20 MPH, the power steering failed to function as intended. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stopped the vehicle and turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to regain power steering functionality. The contact drove the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle had not been diagnosed by the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.
NHTSA ODI #11564164
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