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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
13 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
13 / 0
Average Mileage:
96,359 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 3 of 39)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #738

Apr 122023

Escape

  • 165,600 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 driving 5 MPH, the steering wheel became firm with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 165,600.

- Lake City, MN, USA

problem #737

Apr 092023

Escape

  • miles
My vehicles steering wheel is having problems turning. Its stuck and if I drive it it will definitely cause a crash bc it wont turn. Its very tight and hardly moves.

- Mckean, PA, USA

problem #736

Mar 142023

Escape

  • miles
I was driving my 2009 Escape and the steering wheel started shaking back and forth. Then the power assist went out and I is very hard to steer. I took it to a dealer and they said either the sensor was bad ( $1000 ) to replace or the steering column was bad ($2200) to replace, but they could not get the part. They charged me $130 to diagnosis the problem which took 10 minutes and they knew the steering assist light being on that was the problem. then they told me they could not get the steering column, on mega back order so they won't know when they would get the part. On top of that, they charged a $15 shop FEE. For what? FORD suck and I will never own one again and I will tell anyone who listens that FORD SUCKS.

- Jenison, MI, USA

problem #735

Mar 292022

Escape

  • 125,000 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 driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving, and the vehicle responded as needed after being restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was repaired for power steering failure under an unknown recall; however, the failure reoccurred a year later. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

- Argyle, IA, USA

problem #734

Sep 152021

Escape

  • miles
In later part of 2021my vehicle's power steering began disengaging and reengaging. It is now parked in my driveway for I am afraid of driving it. Apparently the was a safety recall issued several years ago recognizing this problem and authorizing a software upgrade, new torque sensor or steering column replacement. I took my vehicle to the Ford dealer in 2014 under Safety Recall 14S05 and they did a software reprogramming. Obviously, they missed something. Now they tell me ambiguously that the recall is expired or that by reprogramming the software, they are released from further recall liability and that I would have to pay ($2200) for steering column replacement.

- Clintonville, WI, USA

problem #733

Mar 282019

Escape 4-cyl

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) in 2014. The contact stated that several years later while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as a malfunctioning power steering control module that was needing replacement. The contact stated that the independent mechanic reprogrammed the power steering module which temporarily repaired the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure returned, and the vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as a malfunctioning power steering control module. The part was still not replaced as the independent mechanic informed the contact that the part was on backorder. The vehicle was then taken to a Ford dealer where the contact was informed that the part was no longer being manufactured. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and stated that the part was on backorder; however, they would contact the dealer to order the part under a special case. The contact stated that the dealer informed him that the part was a stop sale as the manufacturer was no longer producing the power steering control module. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000. The contact has yet to receive a replacement part of their vehicle and no recall has been issued.

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

problem #732

Jul 122022

Escape

  • miles

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

The electric power steering system (EPAS) on my 2009 Ford Escape failed. Without the power steering the vehicle is unsafe to drive. It is currently sitting in my driveway undriven since July of 2022. The dealer has ordered new parts, but there is a long wait list because of the number of these failures. I believe there had been a recall issued for this problem but apparently my vehicle and many others were not included. I was told by the dealer-??s parts department that there are at least 900 outstanding orders for this part and Ford has issues with their being manufactured. I had to pay the dealer in advance for the parts before he would order them.

- Dumont, NJ, USA

problem #731

Mar 222023

Escape

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 50-70 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

- Ray City, GA, USA

problem #730

Mar 172023

Escape

  • miles
Oh yes my power steering went out without warning without notice took it to the shop put it on a diagnostic machine they said it was the power power steering I called my the dealer here in Owensboro they said that the problem was fixed in 2014 the same exact problem that I'm having now so obviously there is a history of this safety matter so it's going to be so is there going to be another recall on it or how we going to solve this problem you.

- Owensboro , KY, USA

problem #729

Mar 052023

Escape

  • 168,054 miles
The contact's aunt owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his aunt was driving 35-40 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality inadvertently. The message "Steering Torque Sensor Failure" was displayed. The contact's aunt was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to the nearby dealer, where it was diagnosed that the torque sensor needed to be replaced and that the failure was related to the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the recall as the VIN was not included. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 168,054.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #728

Feb 232023

Escape

  • miles

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

While making a turn the power steering stopped working, the steering wheel jolted straight, giving me the only option to drive straight versus making the turn. From that point the power steering randomly works.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #727

Feb 162022

Escape

  • miles
The power steering goes in and out. The car is very hard to start when the key is turned and sometimes it would take several tries to get it started. Now it won't start at all I changed the Ignition switch and it still doesn't start.

- Oceana, WV, USA

problem #726

Jan 152023

Escape

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist became disabled. A clicking noise was coming from the steering column. The check battery warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The approximate failure mileage 200,000.

- Gladwin, MI, USA

problem #725

Feb 102023

Escape

  • miles
While driving, the power steering kicked off and made it extremely difficult to turn, which was very dangerous. This has happened intermittently 6-9 times over the past several days, it appears the fault is getting worse and happening more frequently.

- Columbus , MS, USA

problem #724

Jul 012021

Escape

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced intermittent power steering failure. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that excessive force was required to steer the vehicle during the failure. The contact called a dealer and was informed that the VIN was not covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

- Wilmington, OH, USA

problem #723

Feb 052023

Escape

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while pulling out of a parking lot at 20-25 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact was turned off and restarted the vehicle several times; however, the failure persisted. The contact was able to drive the vehicle at low speed by using physical force to steer the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Hedgesville, WV, USA

problem #722

Aug 012022

Escape

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced intermittent power steering failure, without warning. The contact also stated that excessive force was required to steer the vehicle during the failure. The contract called a dealer and he has scheduled an appointment for a diagnostic test. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) which he linked to the failure; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that his vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #721

Feb 012023

Escape

  • miles
The electronic steering on our 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid stopped working. We responded to the 14S05 recall. Our dealer reprogrammed the system and that seemed to work, however the problem is not with the program, the issue as shared with us by the Ford dealer is with The torque sensor or the electronic steering switches that are affixed to the steering column. The repair per the dealer is to replace the steering column. The software was not the issue, the Ford components are the issue. The recall letter states that "...the dealer may need to replace the torque sensor or the steering column. This service will be performed free of charge (parts and labor). But now Ford will not authorize the repair since the it was 'fixed' previously with software. A correction that ultimately failed. Ford's customer service is unwilling to acknowledge this reoccurring issue as shown by the complaints here. From Ford's perspective they believe the dealer is at fault for not undertakign the proper correction, when the dealer was first advised to address the problem with software. I.e. the cheaper solution. Ford has a know component failure issue that it is refusing to address.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #720

Jan 162023

Escape

  • 91,300 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was a loss of power steering assist. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module (PSCM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer, where the contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 91,300.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #719

Jan 232023

Escape

  • miles
The power steering suddenly stopped working. I checked for recall and there was one- however it says not for my vehicle- but others of the exact year, make and model. It concerns me that a problem was identified yet they might not be fixing every vehicle it effects. I highly doubt it is a coincidence that this exact issue is happening to my car that has happened to so many others of the same model/year out of the blue.

- Sandwich, MA, USA

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