After realizing there was a problem with my power steering I took it to my garage where they sprang the bad news that I need my steering column replaced to the tune of $1,400.00. I then did some research and was shocked at the number of people who have the very same problem. Due top the high mileage on my vehicle I'm not sure whether its worth the $ to fix but in the mean time I'm now scared to death to take this on the road. This certainly should be a manufacturer's recall and honestly if I do decide to purchase another vehicle it probably will not be a FORD. I certainly hope that someone doesn't have to loose their life before Ford does something about this......

It's ridiculous that so many 08 Escapes are having this problem right after warrantys end and the cars are being paid off. Ford needs to recall this.

It's dangerous and outrageous that all of a sudden we are expected to pay $1500 to fix a small power steering component. I hear a little click inside my steering wheel base as the power steering shuts off and on. A small electric component that is giving out shouldn't require such an expensive fix. If I have to pay $1500 to fix it, not only will I NEVER purchase a Ford again...I will tell anyone who will listen to not purchase one and why!

I've spent 2-3 weeks researching the problem as I always do and found that I'm not the only one with this issue. I really think it's a rip off because I, like too many other people, just made the last payment on this vehicle and was looking forward to at least a year of just regular maintenance on this truck. After watching all of the stories on the news about GM having a recall on it's vehicles because of a safety issue that could have been fixed for less than $1, it's ridiculous that Ford hasn't recalled this 2008 Escape. It's definitely a huge safety issue for your steering to go out with not as much as a warning light in the dashboard! And then, to add insult to injury, you have to take it back to the dealer (automatic big $$$) to have it fixed. And, and, on top of that, for the repair to be in access of $1300 is ridiculous. (the estimate from my ford dealer is $1800 <------WTF????) It's a downright financial hardship for most people. I'm sitting here contemplating if I should borrow money from relatives, open a new credit card or trade the damn thing in for 6 more years of car payments. I was going to give this truck to my son to take back to school with him. Thank God I didn't. I would have been horrified! Ford needs to get on the stick and recall these trucks immediately!

My 2008 Escape began having steering issues recently. The problem came out of the blue with no warning of failure. The symptoms were loss of power steering and vibration in the steering when the power steering would work. Because of the seriousness of the problem, I had the dealership fix the problem (replaced steering column) at a cost of $1600 to me. It is clear to me that this is not a random occurrence now that I've had a chance to do some digging on the internet. 2008 was the first year that Ford switched to electronic power steering as apposed to traditional hydraulic. With this many complaints, it seems evident that this should be a recall item, especially in light of the safety concern with this issue. My vehicle went from being perfectly fine one day to total loss of power steering the next. Beware.

For no reason, the power steering will vibrate, and occasionally stop all together. I have to shut it off and restart. I have been told it is the power steering sensor, and very expensive to replace. It appears this is a common problem with the Ford Escape with similar mileage. Fortunately, it has not happened on the highway, or in heavy traffic, but it is a constant worry to me. It seems to me that Ford would stand behind their product and offer a recall to repair this recurring problem. I love the car, but can't afford a $1200 repair bill.

I was driving my 2008 Ford Escape when I made a left turn and my steering wheel froze. It took all my strength to try to turn the wheel to try to get out of the turn and into on coming traffic. I pulled over to closest parking spot, shut the car off and called my husband. When he arrived , he started the car and it worked fine. We took it to mechanic and he could not fine anything wrong with the steering but he said the Pinon rack was leaking and that might cause that made the wheel freeze, cost $1000.00.

Six weeks later I was driving to work when I turned to get off the highway ramp and the steering wheel froze again. As I tried to turn the wheel again it took all my strength to straighten the steering wheel and try to get out of the way of oncoming traffic. I am scared to drive the car now because next time this happens I might not be so Lucky. I am taking the car to the Ford dealer to see what they can do for me. They need to RECALL all the 2008 Escape before people get KILLED !!!!

MY DAUGHTER HAS HER CAR ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS AND DRIVING AROUND THE DRILL FIELD AT 15 MPH THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES TO HER IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. I MYSELF WAS IN A KROGER PARKING LOT AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT LOCKED UP. IN THE PAST 3 WEEKS THE POWER STEERING HAS LOCKED UP ON MY DAUGHTER 3 TIMES WHILE ON CAMPUS - NEARLY CAUSING A 10 CAR PILEUP BEHIND HER. AS A COLLEGE STUDENT, ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN FOR US. I HAVE READ MANY MANY MANY COMPLAINTS TO FORD ON THE POWER STEERING ISSUE AND CAN NOT BELIEVE THEY ARE CONTINUING TO PUT PEOPLES LIVES IN DANGER BY NOT RECALLING AND FIXING THIS POWER STEERING PROBLEM. I CALLED THE FORD CORPORATE CENTER AT 800/392-3673 TODAY AND THEY SAID THAT THE ONLY WAY TO GET THIS CAR RECALLED IS TO HAVE PEOPLE CALL AND REPORT IT AND GET IT ON FILE. SO PLEASE, ANYONE THAT HAS HAD OR IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE CALL FORD CORPORATE AND HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD.

Update from Nov 12, 2013 - I AM TAKING IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER TOMORROW FOR THEM TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM. WILL UPDATE SOON AND LET YOU ALL KNOW HOW MUCH THIS IS GOING TO COST US.

Update from Nov 14, 2013 - Got the call from my local Ford Dealership, the entire steering column needs to be replaced for the price of $1,402.00 - WOW, just WOW !!!!!

In 2012 experienced a similar loss of Power Assisted Power Steering on more than one occasion -after shutting engine off and restarting the Power Assist steering normal. Had reported this along with a bad ignition switch (which finally after much correspondence with Ford Customer Relations-was taken care of by our Ford Dealership of which service always has been super) to Ford Motor Company. If Our Ford Dealership had not took it upon themselves to help -we never would have had any thing done.

On September 15 , 2013 arriving home from work, loss of Electronic Assist to Power Steering occurred as I pulled into our yard at home. I shut down-had our son check belts, fluids -all ok. Restarted Engine and the Steering fine. Backed around yard and lost the Power assist again. Drove it around our back large 1 acre field -still not working. So shut down engine-pullled key from ignition and replaced back and restarted engine. It has not occurred for a couple days. But, this had happened a couple times to my wife back a couple weeks earlier. I signed on to a Ford Forums -and saw many other folks having similar problems with their 2008 Ford Escapes-off that made a complaint to Ford via E-Mail Form the Ford Forum Site had.

Received Tier 1 Email today -CRCFMC crcfmc@ford.com. Very Quick response. But not anything more than an apology for the inconvenience and the fact that when checking our records seen that no factory warranties or programs in effect on our vehicle that would provide assistance for our current concern. The, writer from Customer services (Jamie) suggested that we keep our repair receipts in case Ford initiates a Recall or Customer Satisfaction Program in the future. Quote and Un-Quote. That irritated us-and we immediately responded to Ford Motor Company CRM:07232000001267 --Subject matter.

This the Our Response in part: Jamie,this is kind of remindful of our last problems with Ford--Our Dealership stepped in and took care of an obligation that Ford Customer relations should have taken care of. It is this kind of response influencing our decision to after all the years of purchasing Ford products-buying a non-Ford vehicle or two--we have been planning to purchase a small Suv and or a truck--or both. We had this problem before in 2012 -along with a faulty ignition switch--and Ford passed the buck -and if our Dealership,( which has always more than stood up and helped us )had not stepped up and helped us -nothing would have been done.

In our response we further stated "this vehicle is a Ford product and Ford -NOT the Dealership should stand up as to the responsibility of their vehicle". Thank you for your time. Our next purchases of vehicles , by Fords response has certainly made it easier for us .

Any one experiencing our problem with the Power Assist Electronic Steering -look on all the Forums -as to 2008 Ford Escape Limited-will find many with same problem. Also most have stated as we found -shut down engine and restart -and will be ok --TILL THE NEXT TIME, that is. We also have heard that there is some sort of Electronic Sensor assist part--we have contacted our dealership and they are going to reply to us . We at least can depend on them. They are in Vineland, NJ and have been great--the main reason as we told Ford, that we had continued with Ford products--because of their professional and courteous ways with our cars and trucks.

Steering column has been shaking and pulsating for a couple weeks now. (might be good in other situations but umm...not this one) It now feels like its pulling one direction and all of a sudden will jerk in the opposite direction. Very scary driving it anywhere. Broke down and took it to a Ford dealership yesterday. It will be $1500 to totally replace the steering column. According to my self diagnosis via research online, 2008 is the first year that Ford used electrical power steering. Lucky me. I will never buy another Ford car...just say'n.

Twice the steering gave out. When I turned the engine off and then on it was fine. The second time it happened I had my grandchildren in the car. Luckily we were in a parking lot but I could not drive the car like that. What if it happened on the highway.

I read that 2008, the year of my car, was the first year that the Escape had electronic steering. Obviously they didn't get it right and Ford should help fix this. It cost me $1,500 to fix. Tonight on the CBC news I saw a report on a man who has the same problem and does not have the money to fix it.