While entering into traffic onto a busy street the steering failed. Was able (with great effort) to straighten the vehicle in the lane and then safely pull to side(fortunately, my wife was not driving as she would not have had the strength to carry this out and probably would have crashed). Turned ignition off and looked under hood to see if belt had broken, etc. Could not find traditional power steering pump. Turned ignition on and steering worked! and has worked since. Discovered this vehicle has an electric power steering pump. And they are frequently failing. Called dealer-roughly 3 week backlog for part-which is the entire steering column-pump not able to be replace separately. How could a car designer or the government allow this type of steering pump to be put on a vehicle(probably just to squeeze out an extra mpg)? it is not only plain dangerous, but impractical. If I had known that this was how the steering was on this car I would not have bought it! the NHTSA should require (Ford at least) to issue a recall and stop this type of power steering being offered on new vehicles. I have had pumps and belt snap on vehicle in the past while driving, but never with this amount of steering loss.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 45 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stopped the vehicle on the side of the road and shut off the engine. After restarting the vehicle, the steering resumed normal function. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics or repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

- St. Petersburg, FL, USA

My power steering did not work when I backed out of a parking space. If I turned the car off, and then started it again, the power steering would work. This started happening daily, then many times a day and now, sometimes I have no power steering at all, and sometime it will work for a short time, but it goes out while I'm driving which is very dangerous. The repairs will be about $1200, we are waiting for the parts to arrive to get this fixed.

- Orion, MI, USA

Like many others the eps (electronic power steering) system gave out on my 2008 Escape (106,000 mi.). it started with the steering wheel occasionally clunking and shaking both when driving and when the car was idle (as long as it was started). As soon as the wheel was turned to the left or right the power steering would engage and it would be fine. The problem quickly got worse to the point where the clunking/shaking was happening at all times until the power steering just flat out failed while driving. Luckily I was in a position to react and manually steer without incident but I was definitely worried as it could have been much worse. With the electronic power steering there is no fix without swapping out the entire steering column. $1250 parts+labor+tax. I called Ford directly and they just tossed me around saying that they will look into it and see if they can fix it as manufacturer defect. After finding this website I realized that there are several others experiencing the exact same problem. Also, the part is on back order everywhere in the country which leads me to believe that the problem is much bigger than indicated on this forum. I am frustrated in trying to hold Ford accountable. Ford explained that recalls are justified by crash data and there is no way to get one started prior. This is crazy, so not only is someone going to need to crash, but several people are going to need to crash in order for anything to get done.

- Grand Prairie, TX, USA

Steering locks up periodically while driving at variable speeds, and situations, there is a grinding when you turn steering wheel both directions even while parked. I have seen many complaints online about this same problem with many owners of the same make & model.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

My steering wheel keeps shaking while driving for the last week. It freeze upon initial start-up and I have to turn the car off and turn it on again for the steering function to be restored. The freezing occurred sporadically over the past few months but now it happens every time I start my car. Haven't taken my car into the dealership yet but will do so soon before this problem progresses any further and causes an accident because after reading the complaints with the exact problem I fear that is what to come. Who has to die for the Ford company to conduct a recall? I submitted this information to my local news station and maybe they will be able to shed some light on the matter.

- Tulare, CA, USA

I was driving with two family members when power steering failed on a freeway off ramp. Steering failed whereas I narrowly avoided a major collision. Vehicle extremely difficult to turn with electric steering failure.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

Like many others the eps (electronic power steering) system gave out on my 2008 Escape (75,000 mi.). it started with the steering wheel occasionally clunking and shaking both when driving and when the car was idle (as long as it was started). As soon as the wheel was turned to the left or right the power steering would engage and it would be fine. The problem quickly got worse to the point where the clunking/shaking was happening at all times until the power steering just flat out failed while driving. Luckily I was in a position to react and manually steer without incident but I was definitely worried as it could have been much worse. The place I bought it won't honor my warranty as this isn't covered under the power train(understandable, but still very frustrating) and with the electronic power steering there is no fix without swapping out the entire steering column. $1250 parts+labor+tax. I called Ford directly and they just tossed me around saying that they will look into it and see if they can fix it as manufacturer defect. They said I could expect a call back in a few days, 1 week tops. 3 weeks later and no phone call. After finding this website I realized that there are several others experiencing the exact same problem. Also, the part is on back order everywhere in the country which leads me to believe that the problem is much bigger than indicated on this forum. I am frustrated in trying to hold Ford accountable. The lady at Ford explained that recalls are justified by crash data and there is no way to get one started prior. This is crazy, so not only is someone going to need to crash, but several people are going to need to crash in order for anything to get done.

- Las Cruces, NM, USA

My steering wheel locked I have to pull over, turn off the car once I turned it back on it was really hard to steer, very dangerous and now I have to pay $1100 to get this replaced which is too much for a 2008, they should recall this since so many people have the same problem.

- Hesperia , CA, USA

I was driving at about 65mph on our freeway and I lost complete control of my power steering. I almost got hit by 3 other vehicles as I was unable to turn steering wheel. I then put my caution lights on and used all my force to get to the side of the road. I then power the car off and waited a few minutes and turned it back on my steering was then fine. I got back on the freeway and within 3 minutes I lost all of my power steering again. So I then did the same thing multiple times just to make it home. I no longer feel safe driving my Ford Escape.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

The steering wheel started occasionally jittering while the vehicle was stopped. Then when I went to leave a parking lot the power steering was completely non functioning. It has since been spotty.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

As I was getting onto the highway from an entrance, my steering failed. I could not turn the steering wheel to control the car. Thank god I was going slow and was able to pull over. I shut the engine off, turned it back on, and was able to drive. I have researched this complaint and there are many Ford Escapes, with this same complaint. I hope that something will be done before a death occurs. I plan on pursuing this further even up to involving media and legal action.

- Wallingford, CT, USA

I was merging onto a highway from an entrance. As I was getting onto the highway, I was about to pull on, when my steering locked up. I was able to pull over, shut the engine off, I started the car and the steering was fine. I researched this problem and found that there were many of the same complaints. I could not find any recalls for this problem. Will there have to be a death before something is done. I will pursue this further, thru the media, social media, and legally.

- Wallingford, CT, USA

On 12-13-2011, the power steering failed on this vehicle. Fortunately I was in a parking lot when this happened. I was able to drive home by exerting great force on the then manual steering. If this had happened while actually in motion I doubt that I could have controlled the vehicle to a safe stop. The next morning I started the car to take it to the Ford dealer and the steering worked. The dealer was unable to find a problem. I then telephoned the manufacture and was told they could not help me unless the dealer was able to find a problem. I told the person the car was unsafe to drive and was told unless the dealer can find the problem we can't help. I told the person I would report this incident to the ntsb and was told that is your right.

- Hamilton, OH, USA

Our Escape has less than 44,000 miles on it and this past Saturday the power steering just failed! and I had 3 children with me!! thank god we weren't doing 70mph on the interstate...or in a curve...next to an 18-wheeler...or where I had to make a quick avoidance maneuver! I learned (from internet postings...'cause it sure isn't in the owner's manual...) that it usually works properly again after turning the engine off and restarting...I guess the computer 'reboots'"??, but, who knew"! well, it just happened again less than a week later to my wife and daughter and since this is absolutely a safety issue, we've taken it to a dealership. I live in tn and if anyone recalls (no pun intended), this is also the place where a local investigative news reporter broke the infamous Toyota acceleration story. Hmmm...maybe I'll contact him and see if he can find out if Ford is bent on ignoring all these complaints... just do the right thing, Ford! remember the Explorer!!!

- Greenbrier, TN, USA

My vehicle has been experiencing a jerking movement in the steering wheel (feels like force feedback from a driving simulator), most noticeable at a stop. It appeared to be a malfunction of the electronic power steering system. I had the vehicle inspected and was told the steering column needed to be replaced to correct the issue. This is because the electronic power steering is located in the column. I was told that the parts are not available at this time and are on national back order pushing their availability out 5 months or so. I have been forced to drive the vehicle for several weeks in a worsening condition until a few days ago the power steering completely failed at highway speed. Power steering will come back after restarting the vehicle, but now the steering goes out 3 or more times on my 30 mile highway commute. I have also noticed that there is a tendency for the vehicle to "auto-steer" or veer in either direction with no driver input. Needless to say, I have lost all confidence in the safety of the vehicle. I have contacted Ford customer service directly and am awaiting a response.

- Maple Grove, MN, USA

I was about to leave work and when I started the car to pull out of my parking spot I was unable to turn the steering wheel. I know enough about cars to know that this was related to the power steering...not knowing at the time that my car had an electric power steering, I looked under the hood to check the fluid then I went to get my warehouse mgr to come take a look at it for me. When he started the car the steering was fine. I was able to drive home but was very cautious about it. My husband and I have noticed over the past week that my steering wheel will vibrate or shake when stopped and then this occurs. From what I am reading this seems to be a common occurrence. I have 2 small children and don't want to be in an accident with them in the car if this occurs out the of the blue again! we now consider this car to be a dangerous hazard and undriveable...we will be getting rid of it.

- Crosby, TX, USA

Was making a turn after stopping at a light. In the middle of my turn I felt the power steering fail. I was able to drive home with great effort made to steer. I got home and turned my vehicle off. My husband started my 2008 Ford Escape and had no problems with steering. After popping the hood, he found nothing wrong. After researching the internet, there seem to be numerous complaints of this same exact thing happening and restarting the car seems to reset the power steering. The problem seems to be the steering column. I am wondering why nothing is being done by Ford to fix this problem? I am also very afraid of it happening again and causing an accident!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Plainwell, MI, USA

I own a 2008 Ford Escape. I was driving down my street, started to turn into my driveway and had a hard time turning the steering wheel. The power steering totally shut down. I turned off the car and restarted it and everything was ok. It has happened 3 times in the last week. Checked online and this seems to be a common problem. Interested to see how Ford handles this.

- Oak Lawn, IL, USA

Was driving down the highway and the power steering failed. Looked on internet seems to be common.

- Guymon, OK, USA