Sunday October 20th, 2013. While driving my 2008 Ford Escape the electric power steering failed. This was like trying to drive a tank. When I got to a safe place to pull off the road I turned off the engine and restarted the car. The steering worked ok at that time. I took my car to a repair shop to have the steering checked and was told the only pace to get this fixed was at a Ford dealer and that this type failure on the 2008 Escape was a common occurrence. Looking on line I confirmed that this problem was very frequent with the 2008 Ford Escape and could happen at any time. Fortunately it happened to me on a quite Sunday morning when there was little traffic and I was able to pull off the road without endangering myself or other drivers. I feel this is a major safety issue that could result in a serious accident with potential personal injury and/or a loss of life accident. I feel Ford should be required to recall the 2008 Ford Escapes equipped with this type steering and make the necessary repairs to protect the lives of both the Ford drivers and others that might be encountered on the road should the steering fail.

- Asheville, NC, USA

My steering column would shake while I was at a stop and within a few days I have lost the electrical steering (power steering). I now have no electrical assist for the steering and have been informed that they have to replace the entire steering column in order to fix the problem.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

While setting at a handicap space after eating. I started my car and the steering was hard to steer going into reverse or forward. It still hasn't come back to me yet after setting for a whole day. The only thing that I did before parking was go over a speed bump with one side of the car and making one turn after 50 yards of straight driving to the space.

- Midland, TX, USA

The incident reported is only one of many similar -in 2012 reported to Ford-dealership where purchased car did work on their own to fix-(no-charge-and only have the parts numbers used to repair-do not know the fix for the problem then) in 2013 the steering electronic assist has failed both my wife and I on more than multiple times! all except one time at low mph in parking lots-malls-and back yard. The one exception time was on a highway at normal 45 to 50 mph -cologne ave, mays landing NJ only solution to get power steering back to normal is to stop -shut engine down-restart engine-and the electronic assist is back and ok again. All except one time -had to restart and run around the back yard -shut down and restart again. These incidences of actual times and events reported to Ford customer relations--no action except to advise return to dealership for diagnosis. At our cost>we know and Ford knows -why should we pay another $100 for another diagnosis as in 2012" this is a life threatening situation if it happens on highway-not only to driver of subject vehicle, but to others on the highway. Our Escape a 2008 -but actually bought in March 2007; also we understand thru so many other complaints similar to ours that the 'electronic assist power steering first put on the Escape model in the 2008 year. Possible that Ford found out the problems and later corrected--but they are not acknowledging even that a problem ever existed! with so many complaints of exactly same as ours on so many forums as Ford forums, car complaints, edmunds, and two or three other places that can not recall as write this--how can it just be passed off as a rare incident to just a few"

- Mays Landing , NJ, USA

While driving the steering just lost all power, this vehicle has electric steering control, was able to pull over and shut down. Restarted and steering came back. Upon research online, there seems to be quite a few of these steering incidents and Ford is not doing any recall.

- Salem , MA, USA

This occurred in 2012 also. Loss of powersteering -when pulling into our yard. Had son check the belts-fluid levels-all ok;restarted and it was ok. Took around back yard and it immediately loss the power assist again. Actually steered it as was for about 400 yards around the large back field of our farm as it was-it never became normal again during that approximate 400 yards --until I shut off engine-restarted again and til today September 19, no re occurrence. Have been on many forums and seen so many others with same problems. A steering assist electric module or something similar seems to be the problem. This has happened to my wife two times -one in the back yard and one in mall parking lot area. We know what to do now-shut down engine and restart; however, if this happens while on highway in traffic while attempting to either pass or get back in you lane --it could be life threatening to not only us but the others on highway. Please, there have been enough complaints for a remedy -or at least an acknowledgement by Ford -not as our E-mail to Ford customer relations and a reply by a representative, [xxx], who stated they have done what they feel necessary and as to their responsibility of this problem, by telling us to take to Ford dealership for an analysis test by their professional mechanics and technicians. We as do so many Ford owners know the problem-cause-and why must we pay a large analysis problem for same. Thank you NHTSA-we are fortunate to have some one that is concerned. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Mayslanding, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the power steering failed without warning. The contact merged shut off and restarted the engine, and the vehicle resumed normal function. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

- Richmond , VA, USA

The vehicle's power steering system suddenly failed without warning. This occurred while the vehicle was stopped so there was no risk of accident at the time. This issue has never occurred before. I turned off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering returned. I did an on online search and discovered this is far from an isolated problem. I found literally hundreds of other 2008 Escape owners reporting sudden steering loss problems with characteristics matching precisely what I experienced. These complaints seemed to begin to surface within the last 2 years. It appears the electronic control unit (ECU) mounted in the steering column is to blame for the failures. I believe 2008 was the first year Ford introduced the ECU to replace conventional power steering pumps. Well it looks like they have a problem which Ford has apparently ignored so far. I am submitting this complaint in the hopes that the NHTSA will compel Ford to issue a recall. This is not an inconvenience, this a life threatening defect. If power steering fails at highway speeds someone is going to get hurt and quite possibly die. Please investigate this. And please do it soon.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

The car has randomly started loosing power steering.

- Palmyra, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while waiting at a traffic light, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact mentioned that after turning off the engine and restarting, the vehicle resumed normal function. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 86,000.

- Bayville, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the vehicle became difficult to steer as the steering wheel became very loose. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the cap of the U-joint had become detached and would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 118,000.

- La Place, LA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact was stopped at an intersection when the power steering failed. The engine was restarted and the vehicle continued without an issue. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Hanson , MA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when attempting a turn, the vehicle would exhibit an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was stated that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.

- Milwalkee, WI, USA

Very dangerous issue with this car. The electronic power steering goes out sometime without warning making the car difficult to steer. If this happened during a high rate of speed during a turn it would 100% cause a serious accident.

- Orlando, FL, USA

I was taking a left hand turn and the power steering/steering column failed and I crashed into a curb,

- Tewksbury, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was shut off and once restarted, the vehicle resumed normal operation. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the steering column would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 80,000. Updated 07/30/13 the consumer stated it was extremely difficult to steer the vehicle and she had to use both hands to control the vehicle.

- West End, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing from a residential driveway, the steering wheel seized without warning. The failure recurred three times. The contact was able to restart vehicle to resume proper steering capabilities. The vehicle was taken to dealer for diagnosis however, the diagnosis had not been provided. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000. The VIN was not available.

- Alley Springs, SD, USA

I was driving and the power steering went out! I struggled to maintain the Escape on the curve. I pulled off the road and shut off the car, when I turned it back on I was able to turn the wheel but that didn't last very long. I parked it for awhile and borrowed a car but I had to return it so now I'm driving and just praying I don't loose all control. Today it was diagnosed, need a new power steering electric motor, cost between 1300-1500 dollars! that is something that shouldn't be happening, Ford needs to fix this problem. I see how many complaints there are when I checked it out at all locations online.

- Pinckney, MI, USA

The power steering failed to work. After turning the car off and restarting, the steering worked, but had vibrations which were more noticeable when stopped. The steering wheel would click and move on it's own. It has continued and I am not confident it is safe to drive.

- Portland, MI, USA

During lunch hour slowed to make a right hand turn and brakes seemed to lock and grind. Steering wheel vibrated and the ABS and traction control light came on. Attempted to accelerate and the car seemed to be locked up for a few seconds. Vehicle behind me almost hit me due to vehicle failure. Lights would not go off for about 1 minute after accelerating to about 25 mph. While driving about 10 more minutes they illuminated several more times. During drive home the same thing happened 3 more times and always when slowing to make a turn and then attempting to accelerate again. Now ABS light won't go off at all.

- Springboro, OH, USA