Steering started to clunk and bind on occasion. Effort would go up but it would respond when turned. It rapidly got worse where it would clunk and bind and skip a section while turning. Only three days from start to skipping while turning. Finally it was skipping and binding on every turn. Took to dealer they found rack and pinion was bad. (the car was never in an accident or taken off road.) rack was ordered and replaced.

- Orange, CT, USA

3 years old, 60,000 miles - transmission has completely blown. Its in the shop currently. The oil pan is leaking. The rack and pinion steering is leaking fluid.

- Broadview Hts, OH, USA

Check engine light came on; took vehicle into dealer; found a faulty catalytic converter monitor sensor; ordered part (10/02/03) took vehicle in again about a week later to have new sensor installed, and an engine oil leak was found; rack and pinion unit was leaking; unit was replaced, and was still found to be leaking so a third unit was installed (10/14/03).

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

Power steering leaked in Oct 2001, problem caused by failed rack and pinion steering system. Dealer replaced after having vehicle in shop for a month. In Nov 2002, the vehicle suffered a transmission failure while crossing a major intersection. Barely managed to get through the intersection without an accident. The nearest Ford dealer happened to be across the street. Took into service dept and they found that the transmission had failed and was welded together. The only service performed was rack/pinion replacement by original dealer in Oct 2001. Experts tell us that transmissions are not welded. They are bolted. Either vehicle came from factory with welded transmission (poss. Other vehicles with same problem) or original dealer damaged transmission when installing new rack/pinion system and welded the damage without reporting it to the consumer. Not happy about 2 major problems in just over a year.

- Cross Junction, VA, USA

The power steering fluid was leaking due to rack and pinion failure. The dealer replaced the rack and pinion.

- Garden Grove, CA, USA

Brakes and steering failed once while driving down a curvy mountain road, speed approx. 25 mph, second failure at approx 45 mph on a straight and level city road. Both times two feet had to be used on the brake pedal and with heavy steering and the vehicle was just stopped before crashing into obstacles. No warning preceeded the incidents. Three dash warning lights came on after. The dealer took the vehicle back to the dealership both times and the first time said perhaps we had more than one key on the key ring in the ignition key hole. This was noted as a potential cause of turning off the engine. This was not the case in either incident, only the ignition key was on the ring. First incident they said Ford noted the heavy key posibility and Ford engineering also recommended reprogramming the computer and a new mass air flow sensor was installed. This did not help as a few days later the same failure occurred again, almost resulting in a crash. Currently (Feb. 23, 2002) the Escape is at the dealer now after the second near crash incident as we will not drive it anymore. They say they are asking their engineering staff again what to do. This is the same source that originally said to tell us we probably had too many keys hanging from the ignition key. None has any firm answer and sources on the internet confirm this problem and Ford has no solution at this time. We would like to terminate the purchase which was done about a month ago as the vehicle is not save to drive. Both my wife, first incident, and daughter, second incident will not drive the vehicle they were so frightened and barely were able to avoid crashes. Date Feb. 23, 2002 signed eugene lally.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA