Christmas Day was yesterday... I get in the car to go to the store today and as I pull up to the pharmacy, I get a sensor noise that I’d heard before but when I looked at the dash board, never saw anything... well, today there it was. “Power steering assist fault”.

Fault is an understatement! The steering wheel did not turn whatsoever no matter which way you turned it... suddenly, it’s like my tires were locked in cement. I’ve searched online to find that this is a known issue and Ford has selectively only recalled a few from one plant yet all models have been having recurring issues.

This happened while I was driving down the highway at 70 mph the other day and I guess by some miracle it didn’t lock up completely because it could’ve literally led me right off of a highway as I was coming up on a sharp turn. This is insanely dangerous and Ford should really make right on this manufacturing error. The car has not been in any accidents and has been well taken care of. This is not a result of wear and tear.

I’m thankful it happened while making a short trip rather than long distance as it really could’ve been the reason for lives lost driving this thing. I have to wait until Monday to contact a dealership to see what they can do about it and I’m hoping for the best. Getting an unwelcome surprise like this is definitely not something anyone wants to receive for Christmas! First time buying a Ford and also will be the last car I ever buy from them. Never again.

Vehicle was traveling at approx. 50 mph from interstate onto off-ramp. While turning, I noticed the wheel became very heavy. I put more force into the wheel, but it was as if it was locked. This did not feel like a mechanical lock, such as when the vehicle is off - that generally has quite a bit of play. I stood on the kick panel and pulled the steering wheel with enough force to deform the steering wheel. It felt like it was pulling back just as hard. A screeching/hissing noise that sounded similar to a power steering whine was observed. A few feet short of going head-on into the guardrail, the wheel finally released, and the vehicle spun out. The steering was then acting fine. One mile later, the steering began to die completely. 0.5 miles later, it began to fight again. I was attempting to turn right with the dead power steering (being able to be controlled without much effort). The wheel suddenly froze up again, this time though, I turned the vehicle off and back on while in neutral. Control of the vehicle was regained, and the power steering system was dead after the flare-up. The vehicle traveled another 2 miles completely dead, but not locked up. The vehicle was parked, and I don't feel it is safe to drive. I contacted Ford of Murfreesboro on 10/26/2020, who was unwilling to diagnose the safety issue without me first promising to pay $135 before tax. This is not a desired fail-safe operation, and I believe it may pose an issue with similar years of the Escape. I don't expect it to be fixed for free, but Ford needs to investigate the Escape's electric power steering to make sure this was a failure specific to this vehicle.

Although it would be nice to at least help me out. I'm a college student, and I was furloughed from my job with the government this year, and I don't have enough money to buy a better car. I was told by a Ford tech that this generation Escape is one of the most reliable cars Ford has ever built. In the past 10k miles, I have replaced a PATS ring (anti-theft prevented the vehicle from starting), coils, a water pump, the radio shorted out, an ABS module, and more. I wanted to support American manufacturing, but these cars are awful. I will never buy another Ford product again with how awful they've treated me, and how unconcerned they were about me almost having a head-on crash with a guardrail at 50 mph. I'm so upset, I just want someone to acknowledge that this car has an issue, and that it was awful and terrifying.

I have submitted an NHTSA report, #11366502. I will update this whenever I get an answer from Ford. My local mechanic has agreed to look at it to see if he can find the failure.

Update from Aug 2, 2021: After months of investigation, I and the Ford dealer have discovered that this vehicle was recalled for issues from the PSCM (power steering control module). When the recall is applied, the PSCM software is updated to provide a visual (wrench light) and audible (warning chime) warning when an anomaly is detected and the power steering is diabled completely as a fail safe. Ford Lincoln of Franklin was the dealer who supposedly performed the recall work in February 2015. A Ford technician (who will not be disclosed for fear of being reprimanded) found that the version of software on my PSCM was out of date. He confirmed that neither the wrench light nor the chime activated on failure condition, confirming that Ford Lincoln of Franklin in Franklin, TN did not perform the NHTSA recall for the electric power steering. Ford declined to fix the faulty recall and the NHTSA has yet to respond. My technician advised me that if the issue reoccurs, to shift into neutral and turn the car off and then back on. The issue has only occured 2 times since my initial incident, but has not ever locked up again, instead the power steering cuts off and is controllable.

I saw that there was a petition for the National safety committee to investigate if Ford was negligent in not fixing this problem and am wanting to know what the result of that investigation was. We are one of those who had the recall repair done before there was any problem and then had the power steering fail after the supposed repair. Ford is quoting $5,000 to repair now!!! And saying that because the recall was completed it is now "closed out" and cannot be "reopened". The problem still exists! What is being done??

Recently experienced a "Power Steering Assist Fault" on my 2008 Ford Escape. After doing research, I found out that there was a recall on certain year Escape's built at the Kansas City plant. I read the information associated with the recall and learned there are three solutions based on what codes are pulled from the computer.

1. Reprogram the system so the computer upgrades (easiest fix); 2. replace the torque sensor; 3. replace the entire steering column (last resort). Each option should fix the problem.

After speaking with my local FORD Dealer, I learned that the recall had been performed on my vehicle in October 2014 (I purchased the vehicle February 2015). I have owned the vehicle less than 4 years and have put less than 20,000 miles on it (it currently has 158,000 miles on it.) The dealerships gave me two options: 1) bring in the vehicle so it can be diagnosed but I will more than likely be responsible for the cost; or 2) come in and speak with a sales person about purchasing a new vehicle because the mileage on mine is high. If FORD's first solution to reprogram the system does not ultimately fix the problem, when the issue reoccurs, it is still a safety issue.

A recalled part should be completely fixed so the customer does not have the same issue again. Does anyone know if there is a warranty on service? For example, if a recall repair fails, is it covered for a certain amount of time? Here are some Q&As from a document I found online that was sent to "All US Ford and Lincoln Dealers" After reading the questions and answers, it seems like FORD never intended to replace any actual parts, but only reprogram the module. It clearly states the fix would mitigate the risk of power steering failure. Unfortunately, it only does for a short time.

Safety Recall 14S05 Certain 2008-2011 Model Year Escape and Mariner Vehicles Electric Power Steering DEALER Q & A Q1. What is the problem? A. Ford is voluntarily recalling certain 2008-2011 model year Escape and Mariner vehicles to address concerns relating to power steering operation. In some of the affected vehicles, the power steering system may revert to manual steering mode due to an Electric Power Steering system fault related to the torque sensor. In manual steering mode there is still a mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and the road wheel, allowing steering control to be maintained. If this condition should occur, the steering effort may be greater at low speeds, which may increase the risk of accident.

Q2. Why are some vehicles repaired through part replacement and others repaired through module reprogramming? A. Each of these repairs mitigates the safety risk associated with this recall. The replacement torque sensor and steering column have improved durability to prevent the condition that results in loss of steering assist. Reprograming the modules will prevent the sudden loss of steering assist while driving, will display a warning light or message, and a chime will sound to inform the driver.

Q3. What does the software updates do? A. The software updates may extend the time steering assist is maintained. In addition, the update provides increased driver awareness by sounding a chime and displaying the wrench light or warning in the message center when a fault is detected.

Q4. What if a customer experiences loss of steering assist after the modules have been reprogrammed? A. The modules were reprogrammed to prevent sudden loss of steering assist while driving. Additionally, the instrument cluster software update will provide audible and visual indications to the driver in the unlikely event of a torque sensor fault. Any subsequent loss of assist repairs experienced after completion of module reprogramming are not covered by this recall.

Q5. What should I tell a customer who experiences loss of steering assist after the recall has been performed? A. The modules were reprogrammed to prevent sudden loss of steering assist while driving in the event of a torque sensor fault. Customers should be advised that the replacement of the steering column or torque sensor is at their expense.

Electric steering failed in a parking lot. Thank GOD!

I have spent days on the Internet finding information on the problem, looking up parts and procedures. I have the repair manual and it does not address fixes or information available about the system. One of the things I have done since I was 13 is fix cars, boats, jet skies, lawn equipment and appliances. I am now 58. My vehicles have gone to auto shops about 4 times. Three were four transmission replacements and one was for carburetor problem. My Family's fleet is 9 vehicles. I have repaired all of them. This issue really pisses me off. You build vehicles with electric steering.make it work the whole life of the vehicle! Make information and parts available. This is a very important issue! People can be killed or injured when these failures accrue. FIX THEM AND RECALL VEHICLES !

I own a 2008 Ford Escape for years now. I had a recall done on the Escape in August 2014 for Power Steering Failure. Well now all of a sudden last night the power steering went out again. I get a Power Steering Assist Failure and no power steering in the car. I called Ford since this was fixed under warranty in 2014 which is less than 4 yrs ago. They advised since it was already fixed and the warranty closed out that it's my responsibility to have fix. I am so frustrated with this car right now. I've been having one problem after another on this car. The car will going into the mechanic tomorrow to see what possibly went in the power steering. Also, I am on my second water pump in this car as well.

STEERING MESSED UP RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT THIS ESCAPE, BUT STARTED WORKING AGAIN REPORTED IT TO THE CAR LOT. SAID TO IF IT DOES IT AGAIN TO CALL THEM. SO A FEW MOUNTS LATER IT DID IT AGAIN. SO THEY SENT A FLAT BED TRUCK TO PICK IT UP. THEY GOT HERE, STARTED THE ESCAPE. THE STEERING WAS FINE SO THEY DID NOT TAKE IT. FINALLY FOUND A RECALL. TOOK IT TO FORD THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED 2014. NOW IT HAS QUIT ALL TOGETHER. MY WIFE ALMOST HIT A SMI. CALLED FORD SAID THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY ALREADY DID THE RECALL. NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT AND IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT IS BULL SH*T!!!!!!! THANK YOU

In 2014, one month after I almost crashed and burned, Ford issued a Safety Recall Notice for the 2008 Ford Escape. The issue was "the power steering system may revert to manual steering mode due to an Electric Power Steering system fault related to the torque sensor. An unexpected loss of steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may increase the risk of accident." Well, duh! This little old granny nearly took out a couple of unsuspecting drivers waiting at a red light! Anyhow, I don't know what it cost to fix the "issue" because I didn't have to pay for it; however, on the receipt I got from my Ford Dealer, it does not say what they did to fix the problem, only that they performed the recall. Now I find myself in 2016 with the power steering starting to act strange like it did in 2014. The only difference is, this time I recognized the problem and the first time it took me totally by surprise and nearly caused me to have an accident. The steering not only tightens up at low speeds when you're turning a corner, but I noticed today on the highway at certain times it became tight. Ford will not want to fix this on their dime, but since it was not permanently fixed when they issued the recall, I feel it is still their responsibility to make it right and ensure that I don't kill myself or someone else! What do you think?

Similar / Common to other 2008 Ford Escapes. Driving on icy / frozen highway and going around a corner electric power steering went out without warning. I thought we were going to crash. Two grand children in car (in back seats in their car seats). Insane event. Got the car off the highway and my daughter picked us up. Too dangerous to continue with the kids the car. Also, an electrical burning -smell developed. No fire...but the electric burn smell never is a positive development.

When I went online found out there have been worse episodes related to the same problem.

Also, there is one ERRONEOUS report this was a recall item. Turns out that is a fake WEBSITE (sure looked real).

I'm up to $2,000 in repairs (Steering column)--waiting to hear if the torque sensors are going to need repairs. Apparently the sensors cannot be tested until the column is removed?

Took to dealer (freeway Ford). They seem reputable (I have had other cars serviced there).

I have always had a Ford...Taurus wagon; Taurus sedan; First gen Focus wagon; Ford Five Hundred...and they were fairly good cars. The Taurus' and the 500 were tanks. All over 150,000 miles ...with minimal issues. The Focus was hinky but not terrible. And, this Escape seemed to be solid. But this event was unsettling to say the least.

Loss of power steering caused by the torque sensor now not covered by the recall issued in 2015 for people getting in accidents due to loss of steering. This is my wife's car and hauls my kids around everywhere. Had the power steering gone out while she was driving this could have caused a serious accident. There was a recall in 2014 that we took the vehicle into the dealership to re-calibrate the steering. Since I had taken the vehicle in and had the re-calibration done when Ford issued the recall, Ford had closed the recall on my vehicle after re-calibration.

My complaint is that Ford should have left this recall open or just replaced the column all together from the Kansas plant. Ford has lost all respect for not honoring a safety recall and refusing to pay for this known issue AND KNOWINGLY ENDANGERED MY FAMILY to save a few dollars.

Pretty Standard !!! Received a Recall Notice Sept. 2016 (14S05). Hadn't had any issues EXCEPT u-joint on lower steering column, which I replaced. March of 2017, had to get a new key programmed at a local dealership, was informed they had done the "Recall" then. August 2017, making a quick right turn into an alley from a busy street and lost power steering assist. Went back to same dealership and was told the recall had been closed out in March. Not sure if it's the entire column that needs to be replaced or just the torque sensor. Regardless, I'M gonna be paying for it !!! Thanks Ford ... scratch ANOTHER future customer !!!