8.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,270
Average Mileage:
100,050 miles
Total Complaints:
16 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (9 reports)
  2. replace power steering rack module (5 reports)
  3. replace steering column (2 reports)
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problem #16

Oct 072020

Escape XLT 2.5L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

My 2009 Ford Escape power steering locked up with only 55,000 miles on it yesterday. This morning it worked just fine. How can this not be a recall? This is a huge safety issue.

- Bj T., Lutz, FL, US

problem #15

Jan 012017

Escape XLT 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 133,000 miles

7/2014: Ford performed open campaign 14S05 Electric Power Steering "reprogram PSCM and IC Module" .

Early 2017: started experiencing intermittent power steering failures, sometimes while driving. Duration varied, and corrections occurred when vehicle started.

7/2017: Alternator replaced at 142K miles, and power steering failures stopped for a few months, then began again intermittently and degraded to point where for many months have had no power steering.

01/2020: Ford dealer estimate $2,143 parts/labor plus tax to fix problem (bad torque sensor) by replacing steering column. Currently at 166K miles.

Adding this complaint to the many already documented regarding power steering failures experienced following Ford's 14S05 campaign with Ford declining to cover this expensive repair.

- Bob M., Baldwinsville, US

problem #14

Aug 162019

Escape XLT 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,525 miles

Started car and tried to back up, no power steering. Drove about a mile with no power steering, Pulled over at a gas station and looked under the car and hood couldn't see anything wrong. Got back in car and started it up and had power steering, drove home no problems. Nothing happened for about 2 weeks then it started happening again more frequently.

- Ron M., Merritt Island, US

problem #13

Feb 022018

Escape XLT 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles

After loss of power steering and message that said "Power steering assist fault" I took this to the local ford dealer for a diagnosis and possible repair also to see if it was under a recall, some models were. They informed me that it was not under recall and it would cost $99.98 for a diagnosis. Feeling I had little choice I let them continue. Several minutes later a service manager came back and said that I either needed a torque sensor, steering column, gear box or all three. I don't consider that a diagnosis. Then the prices came totaling between $1200 and $1800.00. Needless to say I left the dealer and am trying to get done elsewhere. I am currently driving around without power steering as I guess many other unhappy Ford customers are. How are they getting a pass on this safety issue?

- Darrel S., Merriam Woods, US

problem #12

Nov 132017

Escape LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 139,000 miles

The electronic assist power steering for my Escape stopped working without any warning or indication of failure. My mechanic has been looking for a replacement for almost two weeks now with great difficulty because the widespread failure of this part has caused a scarcity of availability. Ford has been well aware of this issue but has failed to provide any support with this issue. I will never buy Ford again!

- William F., Oakville, US

problem #11

Aug 092017

Escape Limited 4WD 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,000 miles

Recalls on some but not all Ford Escapes from 2008-2011.

- Alan H., Moline, US

problem #10

Apr 152017

Escape XLT 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,500 miles

This is terrible, one minute it works then it stops all together... very dangerous

- Gabriel A., Miami, US

problem #9

Nov 242016

Escape Sport V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

My 2009 Ford Escape built in Kansas City is not one of the 900,000+ Escapes recalled because the vin # is not on the list of recall. But my vehicle's power steering module failed while my 84 year old father was out to Thanksgiving dinner with my 85 year old mother potentially causing them to be in an accident. The Ford dealer diagnosed the problem to be the exact issue that the other 900,000+ Escapes that have their vin # on the list, built the same time, and same location as my Escape. But the local Ford representative said that since my vin # is not on the list, they won't pay for the $1,500 bill that the other 900,000+ Escape owners were given ...???

Anybody have any suggestions??? I'm at a loss for words ..... HELP!

- yellerduc996, Bridgewater, NJ, US

problem #8

Nov 102016

Escape XLT 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,000 miles

My wife was driving, making a left turn, when the electric power steering assist went out. She said that she almost ran into a curb because of the force required to turn the steering wheel.

I don't know why our VIN number is not included in the big recall for this problem!

The fix is supposedly Dorman Part # 905-524 ( torque sensor for the steering column) , which seems to be out of stock at every parts store in the USA! What do we do now? Try a Ford dealership and get charged $1300 to $1500 for the repair? Where can I find this sensor?

Thanks, Ed P

- Ed P., Waddy, KY, US

problem #7

Oct 222016

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • 175,000 miles

All I know is I have been driving just fine and all of sudden I get the error alert stating "Power Steering Sensor Fault". Now I do not have any power steering, can not drive my vehicle as I am afraid to ruin my all electrical system in my car. I have seen that there has been recalls on this matter for the same year of my car, but apparently mine is not.. Can not afford to fix something, when the manufacturer is aware of the ongoing issue. I feel this needs to be addressed and included with the recall to resolve this issue.

- Jackie A., Bates City, MO, US

problem #6

Jul 142016

Escape 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

Parked car after driving about 6 miles. Returned to car after shopping and power steering was 100% dysfunctional. Was unable to effectively drive through the parking lot because steering was so difficult. Completely afraid to drive on the road with the inability to steer. Parked car. Freaking out because i imagine this is an expensive fix. There were no signs that the steering was going out. Am lucky i was not driving on the freeway at 65MPH when the steering went out.

- B D., Vancouver, WA, US

problem #5

Jun 282016

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

I have a 2009 Ford Escape - The issues Is that the steering wheel will not turn and it locks up. I have been stranded several times in the past week and had to wait until I could finally get the car moving. Today was the last straw. I had to have the car towed because the wheel would turn, but it was very hard and spongy--very unsafe to drive. If this has been happening to other Ford cars then I should not have to pay almost $2,000 to get this repaired. Thank you for listening.

- Francies B., Deerfield Beach, FL, US

problem #4

Aug 172015

Escape XLT 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles

Can't believe, hardly got my Escape paid for and start having problems. Sure wish Ford would get their problems solved before selling their cars. Not sure if I will buy another one or not, but it seems like all of the manufactures are having trouble these days. About time guys that are working should take more pride in their work and make sure cars and trucks are built safe and together right.

Sure tired of all the junk being sold today!!!!!

- bertiemcd, Alpena, MI, US

problem #3

Feb 012015

Escape LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles

This is a problem thaat was suppose to be a recall...Ford said they fixed it once...so they are not responcible to fix it...but it was not fixed if the SUV only driven under 6000 miles before it is messed up again...now I am going to pay to have it fixed and just let everyone know how unfair and dangerous buying a car or SUV from any Ford dealer will be...because of not taking care of this issue...I paid over 15000.00 for a Car that I thought the Ford dealership would stand by...but I think I am wrong and will make sure it is out there...

Update from Mar 9, 2015: LC Ford said that it was not the recall part that was the problem and charged me 1208.81 to fix whatever was causing my powerstreering to not work...I just think that it is not right that a problem with the powersteering is on the recall to save people lives...and Ford will not honor it...I am driving safer and it was fixed...but I feel that I should not have paid for a recall...they can say it wan't, but I do know that from what I read up on the defected part...They just wanted my money...no matter what I have to do to get it...

- Larry W., Powell, TN, US

problem #2

Apr 022014

Escape XLT 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

It started about a month ago now when my steering wheel started grumbling randomly (on and off). It became more and more frequent and then last week my fiancé drove it to get groceries and when she backed out of the parking spot the power steering died. She eventually got it to catch and drove home. Over the last week or so, it’s gotten a lot worse and only happens when I start the vehicle but usually will go away after I cut the engine and turn it over a couple times. When I called Ford, of course the guy in service said "huh, never heard of this before".... I'm gonna call BS on that one! Now my steering wheel is shaking especially when it is turned to the left or right. They told me it seems to be the Rack and Pinion and I may need 2 new tie rods and an alignment :( . I'm gonna order the part through a local parts dealer (cheaper) and have installed by a shop I use. It is going to total around $1300 when all is said and done. Count me in if your compiling a list to submit for a request to get this recalled by Ford.

- Drew B., Reston, VA, US

problem #1

Mar 272014

Escape LS 2.5L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles

When turning on car, the power steering wouldn't work. Had to turn it off and on so that it could work. Then the problem got bad and had to remove and put again the fusible for the EPAS. Sometime I had to wait 1-2 hours and the power steering would work.

Went to the mechanic and the power steering rack module was damage. The piece cost $1,068 (no tax) plus what the mechanic charges.

- tdelgado, Caguas, PR, Puerto Rico