Drove vehicle yesterday, no problems. This morning started to drive and lost power steering. Made it back home but could have been bad if on highway.

- Edgewood, NM, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving, the steering failed. The contact also stated that a strange noise emitted from the engine compartment while making a turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the steering column needed to be replaced and the computer needed to be reprogrammed. The technician also stated that there were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 88,133.

- Lima, OH, USA

For the last 6 weeks, my steering column would shake when car was idling. I attempted to back out of a parking space pn 12-4-12 and the power steering did not work. I restarted the engine and it began working. Since then, this has happened at least once a day. On 1-4-13, the power steering became no longer functional. The only place that could repair this problem is at the local Ford dealership in my town. It is well known dealerships charge more for repairs than private garages. The cost will be $1300 and it will take 2 to 3 days to complete the repair. Technician stated the sensor in the steering column was unable to be replaced, so the entire steering column would have to be replaced. I do routine maintenance on my vehicle and am curious why this problem wasn't involved in a recall. It is a definite safety issue!! while searching online, I found many others who experienced the same problem. While my car was under an extended warranty, another steering problem occurred, but the warranty covered the repair expense. Fortunately, I have enough in savings to cover this repair, but am not pleased about it. My car is only 5 years old and I have never had this problem with any other vehicle I have owned.

- Langston, OK, USA

Unable to steer vehicle due to loss of power steering, after restarting vehicle problem went away but returned while idling at a stop. The steering wheel began pulsating and moving on it's own. Had to have vehicle towed to repair facility because it was unsafe to drive. Steering would unexpected loose power assist.

- South Lyon, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the steering wheel seized as the power steering assist failed without warning. The contact mentioned that she shut off and restarted the vehicle, and it resumed normal function. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the electric steering and the torque sensor were defective and needed to be replaced. However, they referred the contact to the dealer to verify the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 150,000 and the current mileage was 168,000.

- Denver , CO, USA

While sitting in traffic my steering wheel suddenly turned on its own slightly. As I started to move forward I realized the steering was extremely difficult and appeared to have no power steering. I was just near the dealership so I was able to get it in to them. It turns out the steering column is electronic and broke requiring very expensive repairs. I researched this problem on-line and I am finding it to be a similar complaint across the country including with others who were actually moving at the time of the column failure. Many at low mileage (less than 55,000). I feel this is being ignored by Ford as a safety issue and that it is a known defect that Ford should be responsible for fixing.

- Quaker Hill, CT, USA

The power steering has been locking up in my 2008 Ford Escape and also when idling at a stand still my steering wheel pulses/vibrates. I have to turn the vehicle off, and restart it. Some times that fixes it and some time it doesn't. should be a recall with all these power steering problems, this is not safe!

- West Des Moines, IA, USA

The vehicle began to not have power steering at start-up a few times, with the problem being corrected by turning the vehicle off then on again. The day of December 27, the vehicle was turned on and steering wheel jerked/pulsated from side-to-side, but power steering was still working. We then tried to make it home one night when the power steering completely stopped working while on the highway. The vehicle was brought to the Ford dealership and problem was found to be the power steering column. Luckily the Ford Escape, with 88,500 miles on it, had an extended warranty covering the $1400 in repairs.

- Aurora, CO, USA

Was driving out of the garage from the dealership after the scheduled oil change, the steering wheel was not moving. I stopped the car and walked back to let them know, one of the tech's said the engine had been cleaned and therefore I had to wait for some wires to dry. Have had steering problems since then. When starting engine, I need to turn off and on 2 or 3 times for steering wheel to release and when stopped (but idling) steering shakes and makes crackling sounds. It all started at the shamaley dealership, in el paso, Texas. Car has been there since yesterday. Never had problems before until I took for an oil change on 11/27/12.

- El Paso, TX, USA

While attempting to leave work this morning I started my vehicle and when I went to back out of the driveway I was unable to steer the vehicle. If this would of happened while driving on the road the outcome would not be good.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

While driving my car out of a parking lot the power steering failed to work. It was very difficult to turn the car and the issue remained while driving at higher speeds. Upon turning the car off and restarting it, the power steering worked briefly but the steering wheel will shake back and forth while making a loud noise when the car is stopped but running.

- Grand Blanc, MI, USA

Power steering was interrupted, leaving me to rely on manual steering. Power steering returned after the car ignition was shut off and the car restarted. I took the car to the dealer on Monday 12/17, and was told that a "code" said that a sensor in the steering column had failed, and that the entire steering column had to be replaced, at a cost of about $1400. Dealer service rep told me the steering might "lock-up" while I was driving if I didn't have this fix. I understand from an internet search that many Ford Escapes have this power steering problem, and that replacing the steering column does not fix the problem. It seems to me a recall is in order.

- Hanson, MA, USA

My daughter was entering an interstate from a cloverleaf when the steering failed and locked which forced the vehicle across to lanes of traffic. Luckily there was not an accident and she was able to get it to the berm and turn off the motor.. after the initial shock of almost being killed she restarted the car and the steering worked. This is the second time the steering has failed. I contacted the dealer and they said they have never heard of this before, even though I contacted them when it happened the first time! this is dangerous and Ford should be made to replace all of the steering columns on the 2008 Escapes since this is the year they were first introduced on this vehicle and by the amount of complaints and reports I have discovered. The NHTSA has issued recalls on vehicles with far less dangerous problems in the past.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Power steering is failing in the middle of turns causing the vehicle become very difficult to steer. The vehicle must be shut off and restarted to regain power steering function. Failure is intermittent. Based on web research this failure is very common. I feel that this could cause a accident given the right situation.

- Livonia, MI, USA

First thing this morning I drove vehicle approx. 1/4 mile to intersection. Steering was fine. Waited for traffic to clear and then attempted to turn. Power steering had completely failed. I was able to return home but turning the vehicle around and steering was very difficult. I shut off the engine and let the car set for a minute and then restarted. The power steering had returned.

- Sunbury, OH, USA

Power steering failed. Same issue as almost all these posts. Basically it comes and goes, the big problem is it happens randomly. I have been able to control it however im worried about being lax on the wheel around a freeway turn going 60. This is definitely a safety hazard! im going to take it in but from what I have read on the posts I don't have 1000 to drop. I honestly just dropped 3000 on a new transmission on this vehicle just over 3000 miles over the extended warranty. Ford of course refused to help in any way.

- Kirkland, WA, USA

The contact 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds or in the park position he would notice excessive play in the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnose that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised him that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 119,500 and the current mileage was approximately 120,000...updated 11/28/12 updated 11/29/12

- Maraposa, CA, USA

Issue happened four times in last couple months--two times with my wife-two with me-was once on highways with each of us -and once in just going into a parking lot while turning at 5 mph or less-have a witness on last occasion a couple days back at work lot. Have also experience a battery dead-took to advance auto of hammonton, NJ and advised on Sunday passed that battery tested fine. The ignition has been loose-and is getting worse -the key wiggles -and on just a normal input the engine does not turn over --have to put in 2nd or 3rd time -pushing in hard to get contact. Feel, but do not know, that this issue effects both the battery and the loss of power steering on the four occasions--in any case it is a real safety issue-will not let my wife drive the car-she uses now the 2000 sel Ford van we have for second car. We love the Escape-but this is a serious safety issue. I have all my records on my home page Ford for years-and all service records-99 per cent from dealership where bought this and many others. They have in past been great. Contacted Ford.com -received a reply to my E-mail in a day from a [xxx] of Ford -they are doing a very intensive study and are also saying there are no current recalls or financial assistance on what our dealership said could cost around $400 to pull down and repair.[xxx] of Ford.com promised a reply and hope for solution with and in co-operation with my dealership and Ford. Ford in the past has always stood up to their responsibilities for us, as has our dealership service department at lilliston Ford, vineland, NJ. Thanks for allowing to share this with other folks -will follow up on a conclusion in the next weeks. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Mayslanding , NJ, USA

Power steering failed as a U-turn was being attempted...at rush hour.

- Fuquay Varina, NC, USA

Driving home from dropping my kids off at school, the power steering went out in the vehicle. I was forced to shut the vehicle off and start it again to get power steering to work again. I was almost hit by 3 cars trying to avoid me as I was struggling to get the vehicle to a safe stopping point. My vehicle is a 2008 Ford Escape limited V6 automatic.

- Hagerstown, MD, USA