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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 3 of 54)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1033

Jul 102022

Escape

  • miles

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

I bought it 2 months ago it's happened to me three or four times now when I'm driving all of a sudden the power steering goes out and there's no power steering at all.I found out by turning it off and turning it back on it works the power steering but it's very dangerous all of a sudden it goes out. It's called the steering modular unit sensor. There's no warning or nothing it's loses all power steering. There was a recall on it when I first bought it I checked it out but now it's not there I don't know what happened to it. The car is available for inspection. I have not had it expected. I did have an appointment to get it looked at at the dealership but I canceled the appointment due to very hot temperatures that day. I wrote it down on a piece of paper what the recall said at that time and it said it was the steering modulator sensor something like that. If I can find it I will upload the paper.

- Magalia, CA, USA

problem #1032

Aug 222022

Escape

  • 145,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while a friend was operating the vehicle, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering rack was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign 14V284000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 145,000.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #1031

Mar 012022

Escape

  • 126,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering wheel was uncontrollable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ignition module switch needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.

- Kirkland, WA, USA

problem #1030

Dec 302021

Escape

  • 0 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 while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was without power steering assist functionality. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The power steering failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the failure and determined that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The failure mileage was unknown.

- Rochester, WA, USA

problem #1029

May 012022

Escape

  • miles
The power steering assist failed when I was driving home about 2 months ago. I cannot afford repair to the Power steering assist. The warning light came on as it failed. It put myself and the person with me at risk, as we were on a major highway. The Ford recall number as of 2014 is 14S05. My mechanic said it is most likely the Power Steering Assist motor.

- Oxford, NY, USA

problem #1028

Feb 012018

Escape

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering malfunctioned causing the steering wheel to vibrate and become very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the torque sensor but the vehicle would erroneously steer to the right. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the entire steering column was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and 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 78,000.

- Barrington, NH, USA

problem #1027

Apr 272022

Escape

  • 152,000 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 while driving approximately 45 MPH, he felt the steering wheel jerk to the left and while attempting to correct failure, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact observed that the "power steering assist fault" warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over safely and turned off the vehicle and upon restarting the vehicle the power steering was still not functioning as needed. The contact called an independent mechanic who went out to where the vehicle was parked and performed a temporary fix. The mechanic advised that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer to be repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

- Elkhorn City, KY, USA

problem #1026

Apr 182022

Escape

  • miles
Car ran out of gas and was prompted to safely stop car I did, then put car in neutral and was assisted in pushing off to nearest park N ride lot. Was able to get gas into car and when I went to drive it a prompt came up stating power assist fault. Looked online how to fix and tried online instructions but to no avail, prompt is still on dashboard. Has not been diagnosed by mechanic yes can be inspected upon request safety was ok as I turned hazard lights on, no previous warning sign or messages prior to this happening. Mileage on car when it happened 271,071

- Bay Point, CA, USA

problem #1025

Apr 122022

Escape

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the power steering fault warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact lost power steering; however, safely drove to the local mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the failure to the torque sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

- Platteville, WI, USA

problem #1024

Jul 142014

Escape

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and repaired under NHTSA Campaign number: 14V284000 (Steering) in 2014. The failure recurred in 2019 and was repaired by the owner however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.

- Lakeland, TN, USA

problem #1023

Mar 252022

Escape

  • miles

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

I was driving on a dirt driveway to visit husband at work, I went to park in grass to avoid getting stuck in mud. Then it started getting difficult to turn my car. I ignored it at first and shut my car off. When I left my destination it was difficult to turn my wheel to back out of the driveway. Started to drive home, could not turn wheel to turn into home driveway. I pulled over on the side of the road, made a y-turn to go back to dirt driveway to had husband check out car. Fluids are full, car sounds fine, belt is fine, no other worries when checked out. We are assuming it-??s steering pump from non-mechanics. No safety or injuries. No mechanics available at time to check out car, we live on a rural island with limited resources, will be getting checked out ASAP. No insurance claims No warning lights

- Washington Island , WI, USA

problem #1022

Mar 132022

Escape

  • miles
I was driving my car in a 3 hour trip. I noticed the power steering was going out. My steering wheel was stiff when turning at. It was coming in and out then it stopped. The following day we started our 3 hours trip back but my power steering was not working. The steering wheel again did not want to move and was stiff at the turn. This could of killed me and my passenger plus our dogs. If I lost power steering while driving on the highest back home could of cost a accident and lives. I had no warning light or a audio warning. The car was running fine before this happened and was not failing on me. The Escape is currently being fixed by a independent service center for the torque sensor. I hoping my power steering will work after.

- Toledo , OH, USA

problem #1021

Mar 132022

Escape

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and it became difficult to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #1020

Mar 052022

Escape

  • 185,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the steering wheel lost power steering inadvertently. The contact veered to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the steering wheel did not regain power steering functionality. The power train warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle had already been repaired for the same failure under an unknown recall six years ago. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

- Billings, MT, USA

problem #1019

Aug 032021

Escape

  • 15,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the power steering failed to operate. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that she used her physical force to steer the vehicle while driving at various speeds. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that her VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (STEERING). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

- Riverdale, GA, USA

problem #1018

Jan 282022

Escape

  • miles
Steering shaft torque sensor failed which is part of vehicle recall through Ford on Escape Models. Upon conversation with ford they said recall was used by previous owner. If same part fails again should it not still be part of recall under safety guidelines loosing power steering while driving ? Thankfully no accident and able to pull off highway safely

- Ligonier, PA, USA

problem #1017

Feb 232022

Escape

  • miles
Power steering failure and shaking while idling in park. Went out fully while pulling out of parking lot. whole vehicle inspected by dealership before purchasing. No warning lamps. Felt like had a bad tire while driving down the road and steering wheel started shaking in park 24 hours prior to it failing.

- Johnson, NE, USA

problem #1016

Jan 222022

Escape

  • miles
On January 22, 2022, I was driving my 2008 Ford Escape from Everett, WA to Puyallup, WA. A few miles from my destination, the wrench indicator came on at the same time my steering wheel jerked from my hands for a second, then went back to normal driving and the wrench indicator turned off. Several more miles passed and I arrived at my destination, but as I was backing up to park, the wrench indicator came back on and I had complete loss of steering. Later that afternoon, I started my car again and the wrench indicator was still on and I had still had complete loss of steering. I had to have my car towed to my mechanic. After diagnostics, they confirmed there was an issue with the steering torque sensor, but that they would have to refer me to a Ford Dealership for further diagnostics. My car was then towed to the Ford Dealership. I was told the torque sensor was faulty and I had two options. I could replace the steering torque sensor or replace the entire steering column. But as steering columns are on back order with no ETA of when they will be back in stock, the sensor was my only option to have an operable vehicle. The dealership replaced the sensor and recalibrated the system on Feb 15, 2022. I picked up my car on Feb 18, 2022 and drove it home with no issues. A couple hours later I drove to a FedEx and the wrench indicator started coming on and off, accompanied by my wheel jerking slightly, and loss of steering. Vehicle was returned to Ford Dealership on 2/21/22 for further diagnostics of why the new sensor was also failing immediately.

- Everett, WA, USA

problem #1015

Feb 102022

Escape

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel started shaking and it was slightly difficult to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that she then went to a local auto store to have power steering fluid added to the reservoir however, she was informed that the vehicle was equipped with an electronic power steering. The following day after starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality and was difficult to steer. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Lansing, MI, USA

problem #1014

Jan 122022

Escape

  • miles
My 2008 Ford Escape XLT electrical power steering will stop working while driving the vehicle. It is available for an inspection at anytime. The safety issue is the car is next to impossible to steer once it stops working. My wife just missed running into a power pole while driving in a roundabout when it stopped working while she was driving it. It has happened more then this one time. If it happens at low speed it-??s even harder to steer. I called a recall number to see if it was in a recall but was told it was not in a recall due to where it was manufactured. I have not taken the Escape to a Ford dealer yet because of what I was told about the recall. However since that time I found out my Escape was manufactured at the plant where the recall is for. There has not ever been a warning light that comes up on the dash before it stops working, it just stops working. It has the same symptoms that are given in the recall.

- Conway , AR, USA

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