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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
28 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
19 / 0
Average Mileage:
104,919 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Ford Escape steering problems

steering problem

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2008 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 4 of 54)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1013

Feb 032022

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Steering wheel starting clicking and moving on its own, a few days later a power sterring assist fault error message came on and the same day the power steering went completely out.

- Monterey , TN, USA

problem #1012

Jan 272022

Escape

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the steering wheel suddenly became difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering torque sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced however, the part was on back order. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 150,000.

- Piqua, OH, USA

problem #1011

Jan 272022

Escape

  • 112,832 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 50 MPH, the power steering assist warning light illuminated, and remained illuminated. The driver continued driving the vehicle in manual steering mode until arriving at his destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,832.

- Oberlin, OH, USA

problem #1010

Jan 192022

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While I was driving is when I notice the diffrence.And when I was stopped I couldn'do even turn the steering wheel..

- Pittston , PA, USA

problem #1009

Jan 192022

Escape

  • miles
While I was driving my car my power steering stopped working.I took it to my service garage and he did some kind of a rebate on it.But he also said he dosen"the no how long it will work.

- Pittston Pa., PA, USA

problem #1008

Jan 062022

Escape

  • 124,510 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the "Power Steering Assist Fault" warning message was displayed. The steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic reset the computer code B2278 (Power Steering Shaft Torque Sensor) and performed steering angle torque sensor calibration; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 124,510.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #1007

Jan 102022

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2008 Ford Escape. I was driving with my 7 year old and 4 year old and my power steering out, out of nowhere and went into manual steering. Without me being aware of that I went to turn and my car would not turn, I almost wrecked (because I could not turn the wheel) into the person at the stop light while my kids were in the car. Thankfully I hit my breaks and did not but it was a very scary moment for myself and my kids. I had my car towed to my mechanic who then told me the torque sensor went out. He looked online and it said there was a recall on the exact problem I am having for the exact model I have. I called Ford and one person told me that the software was cleared. I talked to another guy from a different ford who then told me that my car doesn-??t and has never had a recall done and it doesn-??t qualify. So I am frustrated trying to get this recall done that I-??m getting misinformation on from multiple different people at ford. I can not drive my car because the steering is a safety hazard one and two I am not strong enough to turn the wheel if I wanted to. I need to get my children to and from school and myself to and from work and can-??t because of this problem. I don-??t understand how one person can tell me I had a recall done and the other tell me I did not and can-??t. I-??m having a hard time believing that I don-??t have a recall on this problem when I have the exact problem and my car is a 2008 escape and the recall they have is for a ford escape models 2008-2011 for the torque sensor and software. I am a single mother who doesn-??t have the extra money to have this problem fixed especially when there is a recall on my exact problem but no one at ford is being kind enough to help and they are all giving me different information. At this point I don-??t know what to do because they are leaving me confused and with no options. I just want this safety hazard fixed as soon as possible.

- Hamilton, OH, USA

problem #1006

Dec 012021

Escape

  • miles
Vehicle lost electric steering assistance system while driving causing a crash in a street curve. This system problem is now intermittent. The Ford dealer told there is nothing they can do if I don't pay for the repair. I think this is a secury issue and Ford is responsible for it.

- San Juan, PR, USA

problem #1005

Dec 102021

Escape

  • miles
Power steering assist fault is being displayed on the screen. My vehicle is hard to turn when slowing down.

- Maricopa, AZ, USA

problem #1004

Dec 122021

Escape

  • miles
Electric power steering intermittently has a failure while driving. Vehicle gets very hard to steer.

- Eau Claire, WI, USA

problem #1003

Nov 242021

Escape

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing out of her driveway, the power steering assist failed without warning. The contact called an independent mechanic to her home who informed her that there had been a recall placed on similar vehicles for the power steering, which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and informed her that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The manufacturer then referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Lubbock, TX, USA

problem #1002

Nov 142021

Escape

  • 144,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the power steering failed while the contact was making a left turn. The failure caused the contact to crash into a parked vehicle. The air bags were deployed upon impact. The contact sustained injuries to her neck, back, left hand, and ringing noises were heard in her ears. However, no medical attention was received. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. Prior to the failure, the steering rack and pinion and lower steering coupler shaft were replaced by the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #1001

Oct 152021

Escape

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the power steering assist fault warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle to continue driving. The contact called the dealer where she was informed that her vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

problem #1000

Aug 202021

Escape

  • 179,643 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH and attempting to make a right turn, the steering wheel inadvertently lost power. The Power Steering Assistant Fault message was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated she was able to pull to a nearby gas station and she turned off the vehicle. The contact stated when she restarted the vehicle, the steering wheel was significantly more difficult to maneuver. The contact stated she was able to forcefully maneuver the steering wheel and drove to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the repair since the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 179,643.

- Brazoria, TX, USA

problem #999

Aug 242021

Escape

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 5 mph or a slower speed, the steering wheel pulled to the left. The contact would turn the steering wheel with force to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that an unknown warning light illuminated on the instrument panel and a sound was heard when the failure occurred. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a safe location. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic for a diagnostic test to be performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer advised that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #998

Jul 302021

Escape

  • miles
Hello, While I was driving on the highway suddenly my steering became very stiff and it required much more effort to to turn the steering wheel. This was a very scary and dangerous situation in which could have led to a potential accident. There were no warning lights prior to this issue. I did some initial investigation and found out that there was a big recall for Ford Escapes for this same issue. (Issue with the torque sensor within the steering column, which may result in the loss of electric power steering assist). I called Ford and they informed me that my car had already been recalled and that they had already fixed it and that I would have to fix it at my own cost. It obviously wasn't fixed 100% and now I am being forced to pay the cost even though it is obviously the same issue that the vehicle had originally been recalled for.

- Walnut Creek, CA, USA

problem #997

Jul 052021

Escape

  • miles
Hard to steer the vehicle.

- Elmwood Park, IL, USA

problem #996

Jun 072021

Escape

  • miles
The loss of power steering that was reported as being fixed with Ford Recall # 14S05 is still happening and Ford is not covering the cost of fixing it again.

- Lees Summit, MO, USA

problem #995

Apr 082021

Escape

  • 132,500 miles
I started my vehicle and I got a warning beep saw the display saying power steering assist fault. My steering wheel was vibrating and a loud motor type noise was sounding. I would drive and I could feel the steering wheel shimmy while driving. The next day I started my car and display showed right away the power steering assist default. And I had no power steering from then on. Other 2008S had recalls for power steering but my VIN was not on the list for recalls

- Melvern, KS, USA

problem #994

Apr 032021

Escape 6-cyl

  • 116,710 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle loss power steering assist and became difficult to steer. The contact stated that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the power steering needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 116,710.

- Highland Park, NJ, USA

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