Steering was shaking and then stopped working no power and steering shakes scared to drive in case will lock

- Washington, DC, USA

Steering wheel started shaking and vibrating at stop lights. This went on for about 3 days then a message appeared on the instrument panel that said "power steering assist fault". after reaching my destination I turned the vehicle off. Upon restarting I had no power steering. I drove the vehicle home then to the dealership the next morning. They explained that they retrieved a code dtc B2278 and said either the torque sensor or the steering gear is bad and they would need to tear down the steering column to find out. The estimate for this was $1200 to $1800 dollars. Not having the resources to have the car repaired at the time they sent me on my way. Humorously the power steering was working again after they retrived the fault code. That lasted about two days and no more power steering. This vehicle is like driving in the fifties again. I am a large guy and really have to strain to make a tight curve. I can't imagine what would happen were my wife driving. I understand after a little research that this is a very common problem for Ford and some vehicles have been recalled for it, unfortunately not mine. I want to let you know that the problem is real and the danger is imminent. Would you please check into this dangerous situation of losing power steering before someone gets killed?

- Merriam Woods, MO, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While driving 35 mph, the contact noticed that the steering wheel started to shake, which made the vehicle difficult to steer. The vehicle was driven to the contact's home. The dealer (griffin Ford Lincoln, 1642 janesville ave, fort atkinson, wi 53538) stated that the steering module was reprogrammed years ago as a remedy. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering) as a possible solution; however, the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 152,000.

- Lake Mills, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While driving 75 mph, the contact noticed that the power steering fault indicator illuminated and the steering wheel began shaking. The contact drove home and turned off the vehicle. The next morning, the vehicle was started and the power steering was inoperable. The power steering indicator was still illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer (phil long Ford at chapel hills, 1565 auto mall loop, Colorado springs, co) where it was diagnosed that the power steering column needed to be replaced. The contact inquired about a previous recall attached. Since the power steering control module was reprogrammed in 2014, the contact was informed that the recall could no longer be honored. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact due to the age of the vehicle and the reprogramming of the power steering control module, the repair would have to be paid for at his expense. The vehicle remained at the dealer. There were no recalls associated with the vehicle. The failure mileage was 149,000.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While driving 35 mph, the steering wheel was difficult to turn, became inoperable, and failed to move. Also, the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (gordie boucher Ford, N88W 14300 main St, menomonee falls, wi 53051) where it was diagnosed that the torque senor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified and opened case number: Cas1404099. The failure mileage was 154,578.

- Germantown, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While driving 70 mph, the power assist failure warning indicator illuminated; however, the power steering did not experience a failure until the vehicle was turned off and restarted. The vehicle was taken to holiday automotive (321 N rolling meadows dr, fond du lac, wi 54937, (866) 875-3224) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering torque sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering), but failed to prevent the torque sensor failure. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 154,000.

- Fon Du Lac, WI, USA

Power steering went out unexpectedly, have had 14S05 recall and experiencing same issue many have had with this vehicle model. Steering column is defective. Hundreds of others are dealing with this as well in 2009 Ford Escape. Power steering assist fault

- Westminster, CO, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While driving 35 mph, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to tom holzer Ford (39300 w 10 mile rd, farmington hills, mi 48335, (248) 474-1234) where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired, but was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 109,000.

- Canton, MI, USA

Power steering on car will shut off at random, an audible click will be heard when power steering shuts on or off, will turn on and off when going straight down the road or turning, having caused me to almost crash dozens of times. This will also happen when vehicle is stationary be at a stop light or sign, or even in driveway when vehicle still has yet to be driven. All dash board lights will also turn on and off, this sometimes coincides with the same timing of the power steering going on and off but not always. The red battery symbol will also turn on in dashboard. Exterior lights will have pulsing going on with bright and dimming. Power windows and locks still work properly during all of this. Center console (radio heat clock) will turn on and off at random also not necessarily all together. Battery and alternator checked with multi meter and working properly. This has been going on for several weeks now. Sometimes it wont happen at all other times it is constant on the drives. My rides are anywhere between 10-45 minutes.

- Otis, MA, USA

Power steering assist issue-power steering abruptly stopped causing major issues with ability to steer vehicle and function safely in traffic.

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

While driving, the power steering becomes intermittent and eventually fails completely. This problem occurred on the road and adversely affects the safety and functionality of the vehicle.

- Memphis, TN, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While the vehicle was at a stop sign, there was an abnormal squeaking noise and the steering wheel jerked to the left. While driving 4 mph in reverse, the steering wheel failed to maneuver in position without warning. The contact called a local dealer (phil long Ford, 1212 motor city dr #a, Colorado springs, co 80905) and was advised to schedule a service appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

- Fountain, CO, USA

I was driving about 45 mph and approached an off ramp on my right. As I was negotiating the the winding turn, the steering wheel seemed to almost lock and a message appeared saying "power steering assist fault". it never reverted back and I limped home with severe issues making turns. I had a recall notice in 2014 that was supposed to have addressed this problem. It was a 14so5 recall and they reprogrammed the pscm and ic.

- Dracut, MA, USA

This complaint concerns the power steering assist fault for my 2009 Escape. This alert appeared the morning of 01/06/2018. Although the display read power steering assist fault, the car handled normally for my drive home. After I had parked the car, turned it off, then restarted it, the power steering assist was completely gone. The roy O'brien Ford dealer, here in saint clair shores, mi(where I bought it from) told me that since I had responded to and completed some sort of reprogramming of the steering, as stated in a recall, that my case was closed and no recourse to repair the current issue was offered. I have owned Ford my entire life and am completely disappointed in the lack effort to at least offer a free diagnosis to determine the cause.

- St. Clair Shores, MI, USA

Ford recalled several hundred thousand Ford Escapes in 2014 for power assist steering failure. My year model falls within the year range of the recall. The problem with my car is exactly the problem described in the recall. Ford says my car is not part of the recall and is charging me $1558 to repair. What they are repairing is exactly what the recall is for. When steering failed luckily my daughter, who drives the car, was in a parking lot both times.

- Mount Juliet, TN, USA

I received a recall a little over a year ago for the power steering on my 2009 Ford Escape (recall 14S05) although I only experienced small glitches in the power steering I decided to be proactive and take my car in to have the recall addressed. Well yesterday when I was driving home from work my power steering suddenly went out and I had to use every muscle in my arms and back to turn my steering wheel and almost crashed into a car because I couldn't turn my car. I called Ford to tell them that the recall they supposedly fixed was not working and they told me they never replaced the power steering, they only reprogrammed the electrical power steering module. I asked if they would cover the issue with the power steering since it clearly wasn't fixed the first time and they said no because they 'closed' the claim when they reprogrammed it and that I was on my own and expected to pay $1800 out of my own pocket. I feel completely cheated and disappointed that the fact that I tried being proactive bit me in the butt completely. Can anyone help me? I

- Burbank, IL, USA

Steering wheel freezes randomly for 1-2 seconds when turning left. I've owned this vehicle (bought used) for one year.

- Goshen, IN, USA

First noticed steering wheel shaking and a noise.soon after power assist fault sensor came on.next steering wheel was so tight could not turn it.I was driving when power assist sensor came on.then I was sitting in my driveway trying to pull out when steering wheel got tight

- St Louis, MO, USA

Very scary moment. Turning left with on coming traffic and lost all power stirring. Was nearly hit. This Escape had been taken to the dear in December of 2014 under a recall. The pscm and the icm were updated as per the Ford 14S05C recall number. I could have been hurt or worse, the family in the car that nearly missed me. I have been reading online about the overwhelming amount of people this is happening to. It is wrong and Ford Motor Company needs to take responsibility for a faulty component on these vehicles. Ford is aware of this situation and thus far refusing to make it right. I am in the process of obtaining quotes for repairs.

- Fenton, MI, USA

I noticed an issue with my power steering about a month ago. Wheel shakes while driving as well as when stopped... but not consistently. I tookmy vehicle to my local mechanic and he wasn't sure what the problem was. I felt it was something in the power steering just by the way it was acting. Two days ago, when I started up my car, the dash indicated a warning with the power steering. The shaking, on and off, has become more apparent. I went on line to see what if anyone else has had this experience and here I am... lots of complaints, and no results. Extremely disappointed. This is my second Escape and will definitely be my last and probably my last Ford product. Vehicle has roughly 195,000 miles.

- Brunswick, OH, USA