Over the last couple weeks we have experienced a loss of power steering and an increasingly severe "shaking" of our steering wheel when it is working. We took the car to the mechanic and was told that we need to replace the entire steering column due to a failure of the electronic power steering. The part alone is $900, $1,400 with labor. After doing some research online it appears as though this is quite a common issue for '08 escapes and Mariners (www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/escape/2008/steering/power_steering_failure.shtml). it is extremely dangerous because I cannot turn the wheel at all when the power steering goes out. It has not gone out mid-drive for us yet, but have read of that happening to people. For us, when we turn the vehicle on, there will be no power steering and we have to turn it off and back on again 1-3 times before the power steering will work. And then there is a severe "shaking" while driving. I am shocked the defective electronic power steering has not been recalled for these very popular cars. We drive a 3 year old and 5 month old in our car. We cannot afford this type of repair, but clearly cannot afford to drive our children in the cars very dangerous condition.

- Chicago, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that upon entering and powering on the vehicle, the contact stated that it became difficult to steer. The vehicle was not taken for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.

- Oxford, OH, USA

A couple days ago I started my car as usual before going to work to let it warm due to the weather. As I started backing out of my drive I realized my steering wheel isn't moving like it's supposed to. I stopped and turned the car off and then back on, then it was fine. As I'm driving and getting ready to switch lanes on the highway it does it again so I pull on the shoulder and get out the car to check under the hood, a man pulls over to help me seeing as I'm a woman on the side of the road and in my military uniform. He says it could be because of the weather but it should be fine. Now after 2 or 3 days the steering wheel shakes and vibrates and a rattling noise occurs at low speed and certain positions when the wheel is turned, or even at a standstill position. It has recurred several times since the first time and always when the car starts. It can be stopped by turning off the ignition and restarting the car. Also a wrench shows up in the message center, as I read my manual come to find out that's for the transmission. I've read a lot of the comments and complaints and have to wonder, will it take a death because of this for Ford to realize we're not making this up and it's not due to poor or lack of maintenance.

- South Elgin, IL, USA

The steering wheel started by locking up when started. Then it started shaking whenever it was in park or brakes were applied and then just started to shake whenever the car was on. After a few days of this the wheel would start locking up while driving occasionally.

- Union City, PA, USA

When starting up the car, I was unable to turn the steering wheel without significant effort. Felt like the wheels were frozen to the ground. After turning the car off and on again, it let go and steered as usual. Now the steering wheel shakes and vibrates and a rattling noise occurs at low speed and certain positions when the wheel is turned. It has recurred several times since the first time and always when the car starts. It can be stopped by turning off the ignition and restarting the car.

- Saratoga Springs, NY, USA

My car is well maintained. I do everything to keep it running well and now the power steering only works half the time. It is now also making a clunking noise in the steering wheel column and the wheel will shake on its own while in park. I have read lots of complaints about this same problem on many I these vehicles and something needs to be done! $1300 is a ton of money to pay to have a "sensor" probably the size of a fuse replaced! and it's very scary when the power steering goes out while your doing 70 down the highway!

- Rose, OK, USA

I drove into a parking lot and all of a sudden I could not steer the vehicle. It was like having 4 flat tires at once. No warning signals from the dashboard. After turning the vehicle off and restarting later I could steer it home. On the following Monday the 25th of November, I took it to a local mechanic I know and he decoded a power steering sensor malfunction. The whole steering column had to be dismantled to put in the new electric power steering pump. What happens if these units go out when you are doing 70 mph on the interstate? my cost was $1262.43 I will never buy a Ford product again.

- Salem, MO, USA

I was driving down freeway when steering failed applied brakes to slowdown and steering would hardly work. Was able to get it to Ford garage steering column had to be replaced as a sensor failed and a clock spring broke.

- Aberdeen, SD, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while driving approximately 2 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician stated that the steering gear would need to be replaced. The contact was concerned that the failure would recur due to the format of the electrical steering system. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner. The contact was driving 5 mph when the power steering assist failed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection. The contact was advised that the steering column would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

- Lunenburg, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner. While driving 55 mph, the power steering failed; however, the contact was able safely merge onto the emergency lane where it was restarted. The contact stated that the steering wheel functioned with difficulty. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for inspection and the contact was informed that there was an issue with the electric steering in the steering column. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.

- Barto, PA, USA

As driving I went to turn right when the steering failed, it was like an old car with manual steering. Between abruptly forcing the brake pedal to the floor and trying to force the wheel to the right, I managed to go across the street and into a farmers field ( good thing I bought it with AWD). When I restarted the vehicle the steering worked fine. After reading similar scenarios on the internet. I then later contacted Ford care and the wonderful personnel tried to tell me that it is not a concern of Ford since it not an issue for Ford at this time. Failure of steering seems to be major safety concern to anyone who drives a vehicle in my opinion. The worst part of this issue is I deal directly with an automotive supplier of steering column assemblies to Ford and other manufacturers in Indiana. By knowing what is under plastic and Ford telling me I need to replace it, I ask what quality is in the rest of the vehicle.

- Medina , OH, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed and it made a loud noise and was hard to turn. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have the diagnostic test performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 87,500.

- Ashville, OH, USA

Power steering failed while driving. One of thousands of Mariners and escapes to have this problem. Costs $1400 to fix.

- Hillsboro, OR, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed. The contact was unable to turn the steering wheel in any direction. The failure recurred intermittently and without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000. The current mileage was 85,000.

- Antioch, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed and the steering wheel pulsated abnormally. The failure recurred twice. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and was told that the steering column would need to be replaced. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 125,000.

- Omaha, NE, USA

I have Ford that are 70 years old and the power steering works great now I buy my wife a Ford its only a few years old and the power steering quits almost dies and then wants my pay checks for 7 weeks 1400 dollars and now all of these ppl on here have the same problem and Ford won't stand behind it and at least make it a recall ok they want to wait till ppl start die to understand that the engineers they had design this did not know their a** from a hole in the ground.

- Pinconning , MI, USA

I own a 2008 Mercury Mariner and I am a little concerned with its safety. On 03/15/13 I was pulling out of my drive and the steering wheel would not turn. I proceeded to put in reverse to get out of the road and backed into the drive. I turned all power down then restarted the vehicle with no problems in the steering. I went to pick up my kids and the steering wheel started to pulsate and I could hear a clunking noise while sitting at a stop sign. Everytime I came to a stop it would do it. On sat. I took it to the local shop. We couldn't notice anything out of the ordinary that would cause this to happen. The only solution was the entire steering column would have to be replaced. I did some research on line to see if this was a known issue or if a recall had been issued. I was amazed at how many complaints have been placed and no recall has been issued. I set up an appt with the dealer for tues. I was working on mon. And left to run an errand for work and the next thing I know, I was driving 65 mph on the highway and with out warning I lost all power in the driving and heard a loud grinding and then clunk. I thought the transmission went out! I immediately turned on my hazards to try and get off to the side of the road cause I was slowing down extremely fast. I was almost in a 3 car accident and luckily everybody is ok, but it could of been a lot worse! I was towed to a dealer. They confirmed my fears. The transmission went out with no warning. They told me this is a known problem but there was nothing they could do cause there was no recall on this! when I asked as to why, the said not enough complaints have been made! wow, you have got to be kidding me"!? how many people have to die before these issues are addressed" very unhappy because it's going to cost $5200 to replace transmission and the entire steering column! hold Ford accountable!

- New Windsor, IL, USA

-the steering wheel will vibrate or chatter when stopped at a light or stop sign, if the vehicle is parked and idling the steering wheel will visibly oscillate back and forth, to a small amount. -on several occassions the steering wheel wouldn't turn in either direction, once the vehicle was started and shifted into drive; independent of whether it was the beginning of the day or if the vehicle had been recently used. To resolve this issue required shifting to park, powering the vehicle down, and restarting the process. -the certified mechanic at the dealership indicated that this issue wasn't servicable by them and would require replacement of the steering column and electric actuator "pump" mechanism. Very expensive!

- Harbor Beach, MI, USA

I have experienced issues with the steering column. Vehicle makes a clicking/ticking sound when approaching a stop. Steering wheel shutters from side to side at a complete stop and upon starting from a dead stop. Vehicle was taken to two service garages (one Ford, one independent) and was diagnosed as in need of replacement of the power steering unit. Vehicle also had intermittent loss of power steering. When starting the vehicle at my residence the power steering did not work. However, after taking it to the first service garage for diagnosis the power steering was operable again. Since the replacement of the power steering unit the vehicle has not exhibited any further symptoms or issues.

- South Bend, IN, USA