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

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph the power steering failed. As a result, she was unable to maneuver the vehicle. The contact attempted to inspect the vehicle but was unable to find where the power steering fluid was located. The vehicle was restarted and the steering was operating normally. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The failure and current mileages was 127,000.

- Sioux City, IA, USA

Steering was very loose causing vehicle to weave back and forth on roadway..took vehicle to repair shop and lower steering arm was replaced correcting problem.

- Claypool, IN, USA

The steering wheel pops when turning. When the weather is cold the brakes won't push down. Battery goes dead if not driven daily. Radio wont play after replace battery that was dead.

- Albany, GA, USA

The power steering faltered going around a corner and I had to manually steer the car. The power steering came back without intervention but it was quite difficult to control the vehicle manually in the turn. I brought the car to the dealer right away. I am still awaiting the dealers diagnosis.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

Power steering failed intermittently while driving on I40 in Tennessee. Car vibrated and steering shook whenever car was steered straight. Driver had to weave the car within the lane to minimize driving in the straight position. Power steering failed completely when car was started the next morning, making it difficult to steer manually while driving a mile to the dealership. Ford dealer service (crossroads Ford, cary, nc) found that the electric steering components required replacement, including the steering column, at a cost of $1400. I have requested that the dealer provide me with the old parts after the repair. This same problem is reported on the internet for the 2008 Escape and other Ford vehicles with electric steering, although Ford reportedly denies that it is serious issue. For example, see this is a serious safety problem and a consumer ripoff, and I ask that the NHTSA investigate. Ford should perform root cause analysis and recall for correction, instead of denying problem. High-speed steering failure in a vehicle with only 75,000 miles shows poor design or manufacture. My wife and daughter only avoided death or injury through luck. Had driving conditions been different, they could have died.

- Tijeras, NM, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the electronic power steering failed. The failure occurred when the vehicle was operated for more than ten minutes. The dealer was notified and stated that there were no recalls or warranties addressing the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and also stated that the failure was not covered by warranty or recall. No furhter assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 85,000.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

On several occasions my power steering has failed. On each occasion the anti-skid warning light has come on at the same time. The vehicle is still able to be steered as long as you have enough strength. The power steering will reset as soon as you shut the car off and restart. 3 times this happened in the exact same spot while driving on the 408 at about 60 mph in orlando, fl. The 408 is a toll road equipped with electronic recording of toll usage (E pass). This happened while passing one of the electronic recorders. On other occasions it tends to happen on warm afternoons, and then shutting the vehicle off and restarting will only reset it for a short time before it happens again. This is a very dangerous situation and from researching the problem although not wide spread, is certainly not unique with Ford Escapes of that year, yet Ford claims to have little or no knowledge of the problem. No mechanic, Ford or otherwise has a clue as to what to do with this. I don't have the money to take this in to the Ford garage for them to blindly replace parts and pieces at hundreds or thousands of dollars per visit. I sincerely hope someone can help before people begin dying on our roads due to this problem. To: Ford motor, please remember Toyota's experience of the past years before blindly dismissing this problem.

- Winter Park, FL, USA

My daughter was on her way to school when entering a curve in the road her steering locked up she then went off the road an struck a culvert went airborne and when coming down started rolling she was thrown out of the car even though she had her seatbelt on as the police report stated she spent 5 days in the icu with her back broken in 3 places she just turned 17 she has aleast 2 months before maybe she will be back to normal we will have to home school her for the rest of the year. I will be contacting a lawyer and Ford Motor Company and as I have read Ford is at fault whether they admit it or not.

- Clay, KY, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact was driving 40 mph when the electronic power steering assist failed and caused the steering wheel to seize. The contact was unable to control the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The airbags did not deploy and the contact sustained neck and lower back injuries. The police were contacted and a police report was filed of the incident. The contact's insurance company inspected the vehicle and deemed the vehicle as destroyed. The manufacturer was contacted and did not acknowledge the failure to the power steering component. The failure and the current mileage was 113,000.

- Bladenton, PA, USA

Power steering would go out without notice. At first it would resume after turning off the vehicle and restarting, however it then began jerking the steering wheel during operation of the vehicle. We live in an area with extreme winter road conditions so this was a very dangerous problem. Finally we had it repaired at an authorized Ford dealer at a cost of $1500. This dealer seemed to think that the failure is common. Afterwards, looking online, we find that many have experienced this occurrence. This is an extreme safety issue and should have resulted in a recall of this product. This model has electric power steering which clearly wasn't perfected before being put into production.

- Alpine, WY, USA

While driving my 2008 Ford Escape going about 40 miles an hour, the steering column completely lock up making is impossible to steer. I was able to navigate the vehicle to the side of the road. We brought it in to have it looked at and were told it is an electronic censor that is imbalanced vs. Having power steering fluid it runs electronically. The way it is built, you have to replace the entire drive shaft vs. Just the censor. Hundreds of complaints online about this very issue with this make, year and model. It is a definitely safety concern. We called both the dealership and Ford Motor Company and neither is willing to take ownership or assist.

- Saint Michael, MN, USA