Went to turn on the vehicle and had no power steering. The car had been sitting, in the cold, a couple days. I contacted the dealership and they suggested turning the car off and back on but this didn't work. I was not close to home so I drove the car, with no power steering to the closest auto shop. At this time I found out that it was an electric power steering unit. When the vehicle was turned back on at the repair shop the powersteering worked fine and I drove home. Over the next month this was happening more and more and I started hearing a "noise" and the steering wheel would move when idling. Yesterday, driving down the highway I lost all powersteering. I would have to turn the car off/on several time to get it to work and when it is working the steering wheel shakes! I was astounded when looking on line to check for a recall, the number of complaints and customers having the same issue...same model and year, and yet nothing has been done. I spoke with Ford this afternoon, both my dealership at home and the main customer service center to which I was told "that they are unaware of any issues, no recall has been issued, and they recommend that I get the repair completed". of course the repair has to be done, to the toon of $1500...this is crazy. This is clearly and issue with a major part of the vehicle, a huge safety concern as well. No power steering on a 4WD vehicle is dangerous!

- Kankakee, IL, USA

Started vehicle in parking lot. As I went to back out, I realized I had no power steering. Turned vehicle of, then back on and power steering came back. However, now the steering chatters at idle. After having read the numerous complaints on the NHTSA sight, I decided to add mine to the list. Over 1/3 of all the complaints received for this model are for the same issue. When is there going to be a recall?

- Saint Leonard, MD, USA

Twice this morning, while at a stop light, the steering wheel has begun to move on its own. The movements are small, rapid adjustments to the left and right. While investigating the cause, I found this to be a growing problem reported with this 1st year model Ford Escape with "electric power steering", and has been cited, by many, to result in numerous, no-warning, losses of power steering. The problem reported is a malfunctioning steering torque sensor, and the repair is the replacement of the entire steering column, part #3C529 ($908) plus labor. I believe this to be a serious safety issue and that a recall should be issued.

- Owensboro, KY, USA

I don't know who to contact but my 2008 Ford Escape has experienced power steering loss. There are several issues. The power steering randomly goes out while driving making controlling the Escape impossible. You have to turn car off and restart to get power steering to come back. If this would happen while moving at a fast speed it would be a very dangerous situation. I will be taking my car to a dealership tomorrow but there has been hundreds if not thousands of complaints concerning this situation (www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2008/Ford/Escape/steering). Ford estimated repair price is $1700.

- Delaware, OH, USA

When I start the car intermittently I have no power steering until I turn off the car a restart it. Also when the car is idling the steering wheel shakes and makes a knocking noise. I am very concerned that the steering will go out on the highway and cause an accident.

- Spring Grove, IL, USA

While stopped at red light, I noticed a "twitch" in the steering wheel. Steering appeared to be normal as I was driving. Later, again while setting still, I again noticed steering wheel actually "twitch" on it's own, my hands were off of the steering wheel. This vehicle has electronic steering assist. Vehicle is currently at dealership being evaluated. They are telling me that Ford currently doesn't have a recall on this. This definitely a safety issue! I have found online other reports of losing steering assist. This could lead to crashes in certain driving conditions and situations. The steering system of any vehicle is one of the most basic and fundamental safety systems, and being so, should be far more reliable and proven through testing and being G backed up by the manufacturer. I am being told that this could cost $1000-$1500 to repair, as they may have to replace the entire steering column. That in my estimation is unacceptable.

- Plymouth, IN, USA

As I was driving to work this morning, my power steering suddenly went out, without warning. I was able to gain control of the vehicle, but would most likely have crashed if this had happened on a busier road, or at greater speeds. I planned on taking the vehicle to my mechanic, but my first internet search uncovered the breadth of this issue, which seems to affect most Escape owners at or near the five year mark of the vehicle. This internet search also made Ford's crass response to this widespread issue, to stay silent and increase their profit margin due to shoddy products. In light of this, I am strongly considering trading the vehicle in for a more reliable make.

- Doraville, GA, USA

At idle speeds vehicle wheel shakes on its own when driving, power steering sensors force wheel to fluctuate, and motor inside steering column makes noise. Vehicle taken to dealer, was told standard fix is for steering column to be replaced, but cannot yet verify that is needed yet. Was told the condition will get worse, and for now to wait on repair, which would cost $1,600 to replace steering column.

- Chicago, IL, USA

My daughter was making a left turn from a full stop after turning had to force steering back lucky there was no on coming traffic later that day while turning into gas station steering locked up on my wife lucky she was going slow called dealer where we bought vehicle took in for service 2/5/2014 done on 2/6/2014 replaced steering column $1431.06 can Ford even replace a little finger for that amount I don't think so will not buy another Ford.

- Sicklerville, NJ, USA

Power steering on my Escape went out without warning, if I would have been going faster or making a turn, I could have lost control of my car and crashed. The number of complaints online is astounding, this is a huge issue and something needs to be done to make sure no one gets seriously injured.

- Plymouth, MN, USA

The power steering would not engage when starting the vehicle. I would have to turn off the vehicle and restart until in engaged. When it was operating, the steering wheel would shutter back and forth. I took it in to the Ford dealer and scan code B2278 confirmed that the torque sensor was bad in the electronic power steering assist. Required the steering column to be replaced at a cost of $1,439.68.

- Midland , MI, USA

TL-the contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated when he turned the vehicle ignition switch on. The power steering failed without any warning. The vehicle had not been taken to an dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.lj

- Lombard, IL, USA

Serious vibration, lot of cracking noise, steering wheel locking up, have to adjust steering wheel to start vehicle.

- Grand Prairie, TX, USA

Steering wheel initially started to pulsate at stop light.. next incident I started the vehicle and there was no power steering, turned vehicle off and restarted and had steering back...next incident steering wheel pulsates while driving and loses power steering while at speed.. pull vehicle to roadside and restart and regain steering.. not having this vehicle recalled to fix this issue is the most insane thing I have ever heard of.. if a frail person or elderly has this happen to them, people will die.. its not a matter of if this happens but when it will.. if it hasn't already.. anybody reading this I hope you or your children or family or friends or anybody for that matter does not die as a result of this matter going unresolved... it is mindboggling that Ford turns its back on this issue..im not alone in this, there are complaints all over the internet.. can you imagine a loss or multiple losses of lives after so many complaints being registered? please help

- Lynbrook, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact started the ignition and the noticed that the steering wheel had seized. Additionally, the steering wheel would shake whenever the contact was driving 35 mph or more or when accelerating from a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The technician stated that the steering column would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 57,960. Updated 8/11/14 updated 08/22/2014

- Chicago, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the driver was backing the vehicle out of the garage when the power steering suddenly malfunctioned causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn. When the vehicle was restarted the steering wheel functioned normally. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 68,000.

- Hamilton , OH, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 mph, a loud clicking noise emitted from the dashboard in addition to a loss of power steering. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road where the engine was turned off. The vehicle resumed normally upon restarting. The failure recurred when the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the steering column was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.

- West Newton, PA, USA

Power steering sporadically fails. This can happen at startup or while driving. It can cause a serious accident resulting in injury or fatality. There are hundreds of complaints logged online, even on the Ford website. Every dealership/auto body states that this should be a manufacturer recall.

- Oakville, MO, USA

I was driving in the neighbor hood and my electronic steering failed. I was able to drive it to the nearest car shop and they took a look at it. They informed me the electronic steering chip was going bad. So it will work at times and then it will fail again. This is a major safety concern. I am a bigger guy so I can handle not having steering assist. However if this happens when not expecting it, it could easily cause an accident. There is a growing list of complaints online with people having the same problem.

- Farmingtion, MN, USA

Clicking noise followed by loss of power steering assist. Restarting the engine allows for restoration of power to steering. Hundreds of reports of other electric assist units failing. Ours has not recurred, but we drive two lane roads to and from work. If this happens again at some points it could lead to bad crash. Ford knows of the issue, and it only a matter of time until someone is killed.

- Pleasant Grove, AR, USA