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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 1 of 39)

problem #780

Mar 272024

Escape

  • miles

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

I was driving down the road then all the sudden halfway through making a turn the power steering went completely out almost causing me to wreck. I looked up the issue and it is on the recall list but for some reason this individual vehicle doesn't have the recall. It falls into all there peramiters for being recalled. The Ford dealership gave me the same runaround. So now it is sitting with the power steering still not working. There were absolutely no warnings that this was going to happen. Not a light or anything.

- Central Point, OR, USA

problem #779

Aug 082024

Escape

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic power steering control module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #778

May 252024

Escape

  • miles
Complete power steering assist loss with no warning. should have been fixed by dealer before we purchased the vehicle used with less the 4,000 miles on it. reference recall 14S05. While driving at 45 mph to turn onto the highway experienced complete power steering assist loss.

- Huntingtown, MD, USA

problem #777

May 012024

Escape

  • miles

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

This year and model is under a Ford Motor company recall number 14S05 which is the steering torque sensor. this device when failing will cause the power steering to go out and make it almost impossible to steer. Which obviously can cause a major accident. I have called Ford Motor company as well as the local dealerships and they both stated that this is a specific VIN number eligibility recall. The issue is whether or not my 2009 Ford escape made the list is irrelevant because that is exactly what the vehicle is doing and should be serviced at Ford motor company's expense. Please advise how I can get this resolved.

- Canton, OH, USA

problem #776

Apr 252024

Escape

  • miles
The steering went out on my daughters car. When calling the dealership to find out about a possible recall as I see it's a known issue, we were told there is no recall for this car. (...same car, same year has recalled many of these for this issue, why not this one?) When taking to a mechanic were quoted that a new steering column was needed, although it would have to be a salvaged part which is not safe to put another defective refurbished steering assembly especially at the quoted cost of 3k.

- Vista, CA, USA

problem #775

Feb 082024

Escape

  • miles
When my daughter was driving, she experienced complete loss of steering assist when trying to make a turn. It is still happened with no warnings at all. reference recall # 14S05 we purchased this vehicle used with only 3,322 miles on it just a few years ago and thought that it had No recall issues, but after further research it looks like the vehicle was taken to Apple Ford around 04/12/21 or 04/27/21. Looks like they cleared the recall from records, but did not address the issue. it only had about 3,322 miles on it when it was reviewed in year 2021. After the complete loss of steering assist. I took the vehicle to Lexington Park Ford on 02/09/2024, they told me it had no recalls, after further research they told me the recall was closed back on 04/2021, they wanted to charge us to fix the same thing that the recall is for and it was never properly address. we did not have it fixed, the steering assist fails at random times and makes this vehicle very unsafe to drive.

- Huntingtown, MD, USA

problem #774

Oct 102021

Escape

  • miles

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

My power steering just went out a sensor, a recall i have read.My ABS just went to the floor for no reason, a part that was not made, also a recall I have read. My ignition is faulty, put another in but it isn't fixed. I have a button to start it. Mechanic fixed this contraception up. Air bags faulty passenger side.The car tells me to check it. All of these are recalls on the 2009 Ford Escape xlt, but they say no recalls. I wanted to get this all fixed. But it looks like this may be my death car. I am not of very much income fixed income so I can't afford to take to dealership to fix. But I have had certified mechanic look at it. I think it's terrible Ford doesn't acknowledge this and send me to a dealership it 80 miles from me. But they would tag this a "Lemon" and it is dangerous for my safety and others on the roads if everything goes out completely. I will be dead. I have 74,000 original miles on this Ford Escape. Not many miles for the troubles I have and am experiencing. Thanks for letting me share my opinion and maybe something can be done about this.

- Bonifay, FL, USA

problem #773

Jan 022024

Escape

  • miles
The car started moving the steering wheel back and forth on its own and then completely lost power steering.

- Joy, IL, USA

problem #772

Mar 312020

Escape

  • miles
Back in 2018 I had another incident which was when I was driving down the highway and had to make a turn I had no power steering and almost hit a police car. My car should be included with a recall I read about. That repair cost me $700. Since 2023 when I start my car I won't have any power steering. The Ford dealership is telling me it is another censor and will cost me $2,500. This is a dangerous thing.

- Desoto, MO, USA

problem #771

Mar 222024

Escape

  • miles
Unknown. Steering and brakes locked so i lost all control of the vehicle doing about 60 mph down the highway. Which resulted in being drove off the side of the highway through a fence hitting 2 trees before rolling twice. The airbags never deployed and both my passenger and i were taken to the hospital by ambulance. They sustained deep bruising and i suffered a closed wedge compression fracture of the L2 Vertebrae and some lacerations

- Prineville, OR, USA

problem #770

Mar 122024

Escape

  • miles

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

I was driving to work when all the sudden out of nowhere with no warning I lost all power steering control luckily I just got off the highway and wasn-??t going too terribly fast though it scared the crap outta me and this could have ended very badly! I was unable to turn my wheel at all!!! On my dashboard it says POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT after researching this I came across a recall for 2008-2014 Ford Escapes for what exactly happened to me on

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #769

Mar 122024

Escape

  • 148,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was without power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

- Leominster, MA, USA

problem #768

Feb 092024

Escape

  • miles
I was on the freeway and I was going 70 mph was starting to go around a small curve when I realized I had no power steering so I slowed down and took the first exit I came to, when I looked up online it said it was a modular or sensor in the steering column, it's one thing to know you don't have power steering but to go out like it did could have been a very dangerous situation I was very lucky there wasn't a lot of traffic, of course it scared me really bad, I'm a almost [XXX] that doesn't have a lot of strength so driving home was really hard on me INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Waterford, WI, USA

problem #767

Feb 092023

Escape

  • 150,000 miles
The contact's spouse owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his spouse was driving on several occasions at various speeds, the power steering assist became inoperable, and the steering failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that on several occasions, the power steering fault message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact believed that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Lindenhurst, NY, USA

problem #766

Jan 202024

Escape

  • miles
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" Steering and yes auto is available for inspection sitting in my driveway unable to drive. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My family including two small infants were driving normally as usual and the steering wheel locked up without any advance notification, which caused us all to lose our lives because a semi-truck was barreling down on us and stopped in the nick of time. -?? Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Below is the recall link given to me for my 2009 Escape. [XXX] -?? Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? Yes, see the attached printout from Firestone a reputable Automotive Center -?? Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem before the failure, and when did they first appear" No, this completely caught me off guard. I spent USD 100+ to have a diagnostic done. I have two case file numbers to prove I reached out to Ford Customer Service before being denied and now having to log an official complaint. First One -?" [XXX] Second One -?" [XXX] Contact # 800.392.3673 These two case file numbers should prove I-??ve followed the right procedures to get this very serious life-threatening mechanical issue resolved. As of this formal complaint, Ford Motor refuses to acknowledge their fault and offer me any financial assistance. I-??m a retired senior citizen on a fixed income and cannot come up with well over $2000 to make this repair. I need my vehicle for very important doctor appointments with my cardiologist. Regards, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #765

Jan 122024

Escape

  • miles
Independent mechanic diagnosed The steering torque sensor failed. I was stopped at a stop light when the steering wheel started shaking back and forth, the wrench light illuminated and I discovered I had no power steering after driving a little ways with my grandchildren in the vehicle. I was miles from home and had to have the car towed to the mechanic as I could not steer very well and I did not want to crash. The mechanic contacted the dealer and the soonest they can even look at is 1 months from now. I contacted Ford motor as I see there is a recall on the torque sensor, I was told it doesn't include my 09 Ford Escape. Mechanic has had the vehicle for 8 days. I had to get a rental car. I do not have the invoice for repairs yet.

- Spokane Valley, WA, USA

problem #764

Jan 182024

Escape

  • miles
Lose of power steering falt notice

- Enterprise , AL, USA

problem #763

Dec 302023

Escape

  • miles
Steering wheel sensor failure. We took the car to Titus Will Ford Tacoma as a recall note stated that this kind of vehicle has an active recall. Unfortunately the dealership could not find our VIN ih the list, though the car fits the criteria: Kansas assembly plant, steering wheel sensor issue. Dealership can confirm Vehicle could not be driven, due to the steering issue, and had to be towed to a dealership. Luckily, it happened as my wife was pulling out of the driveway.. There was no warning lamp but the car shook while driving on the highway. We first thought it was needing wheels balancing. Found out it was not, when my wife tried backing out the driveway and could not steer.

- Spanaway, WA, USA

problem #762

Dec 202023

Escape

  • 144,979 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse in a parking lot, the vehicle lost power steering inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact then wiggled the steering wheel back and forth, and the steering wheel responded as needed. The contact stated that she drove to an independent mechanic; however, the mechanic-??s shop was closed. The contact then drove to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,979.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #761

Dec 072023

Escape

  • miles
I was driving in a busy intersection when my steering wheel just would not turn, it just locked. I've gotten 2 parts fixed on my steering wheel and it keeps locking. Extremely unsafe.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

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