Power Steering Failed problems of the 2006 Ford Escape

On July 24, 2015 my wife and 2 kids, 6 and 2 years old were almost killed when the powered steering system failed, the car was impossible to control and hit the curve going over the sidewalk. My 6 year old got a bruise on his head from hitting the window and a walking pedestrian almost got killed. If my wife was going a little faster, we would be dealing with a murder by negligence case. The power steering in this model is electrical, not hydraulic; I have attached pictures of these parts. I’ve never seen this system before; as an electrical engineer I know this system is unreliable for any of the critical safety systems in a vehicle, such as steering or brakes. The motor could short or the brushes may wear, motor drives may burn, and even a low battery could turn these steering “assistance” into a load, making maneuvers even more difficult. Also a computer code could create problems that can cause fatalities making sharp turns at high velocities. A hydraulic system may go low on fluid and make sounds; it may get a little harder to turn but never will get totally stuck. This system is not safe for something as critical as the steering train!.

My power steering fails at low speed. I have had it into the dealer and they acknowledge the power steering piston pump needs repair at a cost of approx $900. 00.