10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
13 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
13 / 0
Average Mileage:
96,112 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #180

Aug 202015

Escape

  • 148,000 miles
I own a 2009 Ford Escape. There was a very large recall on the steering column a couple years back, as the steering column would randomly freeze and you had very little control over your car. I had this issue. I almost got into a serious wreck during one of these freezing episodes when I was making a slow turn onto a road in atlanta, ga. The recall said to bring in the car to a local Ford dealership, and they would either do a re-set on the computer, or replace the steering column if deemed necessary. Originally, they re-set the computer. It happened one time after the computer reset, but I figured it was just a fluke. Almost a year later... the same issue started happening more frequently, again, and within 2 days, the electronic steering was completely gone. I lost all power steering ability. It went out completely. I brought it back in to gwinnett place Ford, and the "service" center said the recall had expired, and I would have to pay for a steering column out of pocket ($1,400). I had no choice but to pay out of pocket... even though there was not an expiration date on the recall. Ford hq stated that the dealership could have replaced it free of charge (instead of the $1,400 they made me pay) and then just sent the recall and the bill to Ford hq for a refund. Gwinnett place Ford blamed it all back on Ford hq for an "expired" recall. Per the recall letter, they should have replaced my steering column free of charge....they did not.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #179

Aug 212016

Escape

  • 32,000 miles
Power steering eps assist steering torque sensor (pscm) went out. NHTSA #14V284000. Ford recall 14S05. Purchased 12/14 at brandon Ford (fl). Not ever informed of recall. Actually texted that they did not know of recall. Called Ford who put a case # on it. Review done by Ford but they said brandon Ford did a test on it and reprogrammed the sensor. Ford denied the claim stating it had been 12 months or 12,000 miles since purchase. The vehicle only had 18,800 miles at purchase and has approximately just over 32,000 miles now. On Ford service phone line where one goes directly to the specific recall there is no mention of not honoring the full replacement of parts and labor dependent on if it is under 12 months or 12,000 miles. Neither does it state that in the online recall info. The cost for this repair we have been told is some $1300. The car is sitting at autonation Ford in panama city, Florida right now. The service manager and the assistant to the general manager at brandon Ford are not returning calls and voicemessages. This has been a fiasco with Ford. My daughter or anyone else could be seriously injured or worse and it states such especially at low speeds on the Ford recall recording line message yet nothing is being honored or done. Luckily she was stationary in a driveway and the car was in park when the failure occurred instead of on a street, highway or interstate.

- Riverview, FL, USA

problem #178

Aug 212016

Escape

  • 111,700 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to start the vehicle and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact had to apply force to the steering wheel in order to steer the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was previously reprogrammed per NHTSA campaign number: 14V2840000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,700.

- Oak Forest, IL, USA

problem #177

Oct 012015

Escape 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 169,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While driving, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering sensor and steering column had to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the onboard diagnostic warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle experienced a loss of power. The dealer stated that the mass air index was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. In addition, the maintenance warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle experienced a loss of power. The vehicle was repaired, but the ABS, low tire pressure, traction control, and parking warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired again. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 169,000. Updated 10/18/16

- Supply, NC, USA

problem #176

Aug 012016

Escape

  • 132,523 miles
Started car, went to back out of parking space and there was no steering. Pulled back into space and turned car off, popped hood to see if I could see anything wrong. Waited a few minutes, started car again, steering was fine. Notice I did not get hood down all the way, so I pulled over, turned off car, and secured hood. When I got back in the car, lost steering again. Turned off car, steering worked again. Made it home. Waited a few minutes after turning car off, and restarted it. Again no steering. Took brute force to turn wheel. At no time did a warning light come on indicating any trouble.

- Zephyrhills, FL, USA

problem #175

Jul 312016

Escape

  • 65,000 miles
Vehicle no power and surging.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #174

Jul 242016

Escape

  • 66,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While driving 30 mph, the power steering failed. The contact stated that the vehicle required extra force to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the electronic power steering module software needed to be serviced or updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #173

Jul 162016

Escape

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While driving 70 mph, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.

- Hamtramck, MI, USA

problem #172

Sep 012015

Escape

  • 165,000 miles
The power steering stopped working while driving on a city street. I was turning into a shopping mall and there was suddenly no way I could steer this car. It is dangerous to try driving the vehicle. You cannot turn it without brute force and it is impossible to steer at slow speeds. It is definitely a safety issue. The problem is a torque sensor which when it goes out, the entire steering column must be replaced to the tune of $1500. Ford should take responsibility for this issue before too many owners end up in crashes.

- Myrtle, MS, USA

problem #171

Jun 182016

Escape

  • 140,000 miles
The power steering suddenly stopped working. It did not work for over 2 hours. After stopping and turning off the car for 5 min., the power steering began working again.

- Saint Cloud, FL, USA

problem #170

Jun 062016

Escape

  • 82,000 miles
No warning that something was wrong. Was told it could have happened on the highway at a high rate of speed. Which would have made it impossible to steer and could have caused life threatening injury of possibly death. The car was parked on Friday, sat over the weekend and when I went in to start it on Monday and drive it to work the steering wheel was hard to move and the tires stayed stationary. Towed it to the dealer and was told the steering column broke and needed to be replaced and it wasn't under warranty anymore and the recall that is out there was not applicable for this specific problem with the steering column. They dealer said it would cost approx $1,400 to replace the steering column. It was never in an accident and was never part of theft. It is 9 years old, never towed anything and not driven hard.

- Derwood, MD, USA

problem #169

Feb 112016

Escape

  • 126,000 miles
While driving the Escape the steering wheel just locks up in the middle of driving. I have to get the Escape to the side of the road and shut it off and restart to get the steering wheel to unlock. Have taken it to a Ford dealership and they say it's not on recall so they cant fix it. They did clean the wires and said it should be fine, but it still did it again.

- Lowman, NY, USA

problem #168

Apr 162016

Escape

  • 101,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While attempting to park the vehicle, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The electric power steering warning light illuminated. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the torque sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.

- Hutto, TX, USA

problem #167

Apr 042016

Escape

  • 140,000 miles
Power steering suddenly quit working while driving! after researching issue on internet, Escapes have had several recalls on different model years involving steering., but not my 2009. It is obvious the problems with the steering has been going on many years but Ford has not corrected. If my son had been driving when it went out, I shiver to think what may have been the outcome. Steering issues are very serious safety problems. Come on Ford fix the Escapes issues.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #166

Apr 072016

Escape

  • 88,457 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. When the vehicle was started, the power steering column shook uncontrollably. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the column assembly steering was defective and needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,457.

- Carey, ID, USA

problem #165

Apr 012016

Escape

  • 111,000 miles
Steering wheel began shaking while the vehicle was stopped and at low speeds while driving in rush hour traffic. The shaking stopped for 1 day - then began again. Two days following the dashboard sensor read - power steering assist fault. Power steering failed at this time. I contacted Ford - as I believe this to be directly related to a large recall 14S05 1.3M vehicles. Ford courtesy cas9191445. Ford has denied this is related to the recall - advising this vehicle VIN does not match the referenced VIN's- however I am experiencing the noted issues. What assistance can the NHTSA provide adding this vehicle into the recall. I contacted local Ford dealerships in hope of receiving assistance/guidance - this also was unsuccessful. Ford has referenced tsb no. 14-0016

- Arvada, CO, USA

problem #164

Jan 152016

Escape

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 45 mph, the steering ability seized. The dealer diagnosed that the power steering column needed replacement. The contact also stated that the vehicle was repaired under a recall for the power steering back in August of 2015. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The NHTSA campaign number was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #163

Mar 212016

Escape

  • 133,414 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering instrument cluster module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred after the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V824000 (steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,414.

- St. Port Lucie, FL, USA

problem #162

Nov 242015

Escape

  • 125,000 miles
Before 6/18/15 randomly while driving any speed my vehicle had a wrench warning light illuminate and loses complete power along with steering, the car shuts off completely you have to turn ignition off and restart. It would run fine for several days and then randomly happen again or possibly multiple times in a day. 6/17/15 - I brought vehicle to Ford dealership to fix recall (13N03) ' tech replaced throttle body for this correction. At the same time they also performed a recall (14S05) ' tech reprogrammed pscm for correction. 11/24/15 ' was driving my vehicle when the wrench light came on again and the whole steering column froze up. Had to stop and turn vehicle off in traffic and back on. No correction to problem the vehicle was immediately brought back to Ford dealership. 11/25/15 ' I was told the torque sensor needs replaced. I advised them the recall was not properly fixed the first time. I was informed that part is not under warranty according to Ford service cite. 11/27/15 ' the torque sensor as indicated on their diagnostic testing and replacement of this part failed to fix the problem with the steering being locked up. Service tech contacted Ford hotline to try and figure out why the problem was not addressed with replacement of the part that indicated as the issue. 11/30/15 ' Ford service technicians had to work with Ford hotline to troubleshoot vehicle. They said now my whole steering column would need replacement. Ford said I needed to pay for both parts (which did not fix any problem) and labor. I refuse to pay for any parts. My vehicle has been at dealership with this issue so long my tags are now dead. My car needs a safety inspection and service manager said they could perform the safety inspection and just electronically put the 'passed' information into the system. Vehicle is not safe and is still at dealership to date.

- Maryland Heights, MO, USA

problem #161

Mar 012016

Escape 4-cyl

  • 61,500 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 10 mph, the steering lost power without warning. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there were no recalls. The failure mileage was 61,500.... updated 04/11/16 the dealer replaced the entire steering column. Updated 04/20/16.

- Enon, OH, USA

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