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10.0

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

2009 Ford Escape steering problems

steering problem

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2009 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 5 of 39)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #700

Jun 012022

Escape

  • miles

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

Intermittent failure of power steering, beginning at startup-?"at each startup, power steering either worked or it didn-??t. After one month, power steering failed entirely. Vehicle is still drivable, but with no power assist to steering. My mechanic says the power steering control module requires replacement. There is an active recall for this exact failure that applies to my model and year, but Ford customer service says it does not apply to my VIN, and will not tell me exactly why. Internet forums show this failure is common and often not covered under recall. Ford no longer manufactures the necessary replacement part, and my mechanic so far has been unable to find a used replacement.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #699

Aug 092022

Escape

  • 64,300 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel became difficult to steer. There was an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact was able to steer the steering wheel with the assistance of her son. The contact also stated that the vehicle overheated the day prior to the steering failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,300.

- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA

problem #698

Jun 292022

Escape

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact was able to drive home safely however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under call. The failure mileage was 160,000.

- West Paducah, KY, USA

problem #697

Jan 012022

Escape

  • miles

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

Steering assist failure. The steering assist failed without warning, no lights or indications. I had my car checked on a trouble code scanner and it showed the failure. There appears to be a recall from Ford for this problem, but not all vehicles were included. It should be all vehicles, not just some. I can see on this site alone there are at least 64 complaints for the same issue, all are not covered under the recall. The fact that so many are experiencing this problem, might warrant a revisit on extending the recall to more vehicles. To have this repaired by a dealer without a recall is extremely expensive for something that is a safety concern.

- Daly City, CA, USA

problem #696

Jul 182022

Escape

  • miles
First steering column locked with less then 65,000 miles. Now power train wrench light warning popped on less then 80,000 miles. Throttle body issue forcing car into limp mode leaving driver in danger on the road

- Folcroft, PA, USA

problem #695

Jul 012022

Escape

  • miles
Rear shock mount rusted out and is destroying the inside of my trunk. Now is hanging loose.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #694

Jul 012022

Escape

  • miles

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

While driving, my electric power steering failed. There is no warning light or system notice to indicate that this was going to happen. My daughter and I almost wrecked due to this issue. Now I have no way of knowing what the real issue is. I noticed my truck wasn-??t included in the recall but it definitely should be. I almost lost control of the vehicle when this happened and it could have been catastrophic.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #693

Aug 012021

Escape

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal clicking sound was coming from the steering wheel as the power steering assist failed to operate as designed without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the power steering motor was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #692

May 212022

Escape 6-cyl

  • 81,000 miles
The contact's friend owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact's friend was reversing out of her driveway at approximately 2 MPH, when the power steering failed to make it difficult to turn the wheel in either direction. The contact's friend stated she noticed no warning lights were illuminated. The contact's friend had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the electric power steering assist had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic stated that the manufacturer had issued a recall related to the failure; under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #691

May 232022

Escape

  • miles
The electric power steering malfunctions and yes it would be available for inspection upon request. No I have not had a dealer or service center confirm this problem and it's not been inspected by police, insurance representative etc. There was no warning lamps, or symptoms of any kind prior to the failure. The first time this occured I was backing out of a parking spot and it was extremely hard to turn my steering wheel and the vehicle had no issues when I parked. I found that if the battery was unhooked for several hours the steering would work properly again for a period of time but, I never know when it's going to stop working again. It's my understanding there has been a recall on some vehicles for this issue but unfortunately my vehicle didn't fall under the recall. I have saw several complaints of this online when investigating the problem and really wish something would be done because I don't undetstand why some 2009 Ford Escape have a recall for this problem but not all 2009 Ford Escape when it's obviously a problem for more Escape's than just the ones with the recall.

- Butler , KY, USA

problem #690

May 132022

Escape

  • 181,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while reversing out of her driveway, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and locked. The contact could not turn the steering wheel to the left or right. The contact stated an unknown warning light illuminated and was flashing. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 181,000.

- Johnston, RI, USA

problem #689

Apr 282022

Escape

  • 178,000 miles
The contact's girlfriend owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his girlfriend was pulling out of a parking space, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's girlfriend was able to drive to her residence by using excessive force to steer the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.

- Black Creek, WI, USA

problem #688

Apr 172022

Escape 6-cyl

  • miles
I recently purchased this vehicle, have had it for about 3 to 4 weeks. The vehicle belonged to a gentleman whom deceased and vehicle came from Canada. The vehicle was running great and I was happy, however, on Easter 2022 my 1yr old daughter and I were leaving the emergency room due to us both being very ill and all of a sudden I was unable to steer the vehicle without having to use my entire body and all my strength. So, I immediately went to the auto part store and purchased steering fluid. Well, come to find out this vehicle has an electric steering system which I never heard of before in my life. Thankfully there was a mechanic on site and he told me about this along with changing a steering fuse"?? The new fuse did not fix the issue. This nice man looked up and seen this vehicle has a steering, air bag and few more recalls out there. So, I called a ford dealership to inquire about getting these recalls taken care of and replaced, she basically told me that they would charge me for the diagnostic test and charge me for any and all recall repairs. I seen that this vehicle has never had any of the recalls taken care of. Now, is there a time frame for replacing recalls, especially if safety related!" Thanks [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #687

Apr 162022

Escape

  • miles
Steering wheel shaking, while idling and driving. The next day total loss of power steering.

- Saint Joseph, MO, USA

problem #686

Apr 112022

Escape

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse in a parking lot, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact pulled over and felt that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering functionality returned. There were no warning lights that illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was able to diagnose the failure as a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Oshkosh, WI, USA

problem #685

Mar 212022

Escape

  • 153,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the power steering failed and the steering wheel failed to turn in either direction. The message "power steering assist failure" was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact was informed by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The contacted stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 153,000.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #684

Mar 272022

Escape

  • miles
Steering intermittently locks up, sometimes at startup and sometimes while driving. Sometimes car steers normally without steering failure, but sometimes steering completely locks. Vehicle is not safe to drive.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #683

Mar 262022

Escape

  • miles
Steering wheel locked up without any warning while driving. Almost caused an accident. Now there is no power steering and.power steering assist fault warning is on.

- Winchester , KY, USA

problem #682

Feb 252022

Escape

  • 148,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the steering wheel would shake and vibrate before suddenly the message power steering sensor fault was displayed and the power steering failed causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not determined. 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 148,000.

- Taylor, MI, USA

problem #681

Mar 202022

Escape

  • miles
The electronic power steering goes out for no apparent reason. Making it very difficult to steer/maneuver vehicle while in traffic. This situation is very dangerous for a 17 year old driver, not knowing what is happening. Seems once he can get to a safe place to stop out of the way of traffic, the vehicle can be turned off and back on and this is reset to normal operation. Sometimes it may take several time of restarting the vehicle to get the electronic power steering to reset. I see numerous complaints concerning this same situation. This needs to be address by the manufacturer before some one is killed.

- Rockwall, TX, USA

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