Power Steering Failed Problems of Ford Escape Hybrid - part 2

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the power steering failed causing the steering wheel to seize. The vehicle was previously taken to the dealer where the techniciansmade unknown repairs to the vehicle. The problem did not recur until recently. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000.

See all problems of the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid 🔎.

Total power steering failure on start up when backing out of driveway. The power steering has been intermittent since then. Seems most likely to fail when cold. So far it has started working once warmed up and restarted. The vehicle is very hard to control when the power steering is not working. I'm concerned it will fail while driving and cause an accident. I plan on taking it to the dealership today.

See all problems of the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid 🔎.

The vehicle was being driven on my home street at low speed when power steering failed suddenly, resulting in manual steering only. With great difficulty, vehicle was then parked. Dashboard error message displayed: svc power steering.

See all problems of the 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid 🔎.

While pulling into a parking space, my car suddenly became extremely difficult to steer. The yellow wrench light lit up, and the digital read-out said to service the power steering. I took the car to the dealer two days ago. They are still trying to pinpoint the problem. They are now replacing the module, but advised that may not work; if it does not, they say the steering rack will need to be replaced. I am aware of Ford's recently announced recall of 2008 and later escapes for power steering failures. After discussing that with the dealer, I called Ford customer service and spoke with a representative. He said my car is not covered by the recall. I told him I understood that, but perhaps their recall should be expanded. He asked why I was calling, and I said the dealer had told me to call and start the claims process. At first, he told me there was no claim I could make because the recall doesn't cover my car, but ultimately gave me a case number. (I don't know if he actually a claim or just gave me a number to get me off the phone. ).

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. Consumer writes in regards to power steering failure. The consumer stated when his daughter started the vehicle, there was no power steering. After several starts, the power steering would activate. The problem worsened over the next several days, where it would take dozens of attempts for the power steering to activate, after the engine was started. The dealer replaced the steering column at a cost of $ 1700. 00.

The first time this occurred was approximately 5 months ago (est. 132k miles) while driving in city traffic, I swerved and brake quickly to avoid a road hazard (large pothole) estimated speed was under 20 mph. The power steering failed and the vehicle continued to run in electric (hybrid) mode and was able to muscle it off to the side of the road. Restarting the engine resolved the issue and the car has been fine until two weeks ago. The second time was in late November, mileage 135k, was slowly turning into a traffic circle at approx. 10 mph, without warning power steering failed the same as the previous time. I was able to stop and restart the car which restored the power steering. After the second experience I did some research online and am seeing that this is a known issue and has been reported to your agency (three different web sites with multiple complaints). I find it hard to believe that a recall has not required - someone will get hurt if this happens at highway speed to an inexperienced driver. I have worked as a professional mechanic and have a decent comprehension of vehicle systems (1974 - 1995), my comments are based on years of experience. I have not verified this, but one of the web posts states that Toyota experienced the same issue and did a recall. . Read more...

Electric power steering failed for 1-2 seconds then returned to normal. This had happened several times in the past. Ford dealer followed technical service bulletin and replaced a connector. Per Ford, the technical service bulletin exists because this has happened on other vehicles. Ford is treating this as a common, out-of-warranty component failure. Electric power steering is required for safe operation of this vehicle. Had this happened at highway speeds it could have had serious consequences. Because of this I believe this issue should be elevated in level.

My 2009 Ford escape (escape hybrid) was being driven into a turn at 35+ miles per hour. The steering locked up as I entered the turn which forcred me to hit the brakes and go skidding across full speed oncomming traffic - I narrowly avoided a head on crash, which likley would have resulted in many injuries or worse. The vehicle came to rest after skidding across the traffic lanes in the safety lane area of the far side of the road. After stopping, I found the steering wheel was still 99% locked up - I turned off the car and then after a few minutes to gain my composure, I restarted the car and found that steering had been restored - I drove home (nearby) at a speed of 25 mph. Vehicle was taken to the Ford dealer who confirmed that the torque sensor / steering column / power steering system - had failled causing steering lockup. An entire steering column unit was replaced at my cost of ~$1500. The unexpected failure of this critical component is very likley going to cause accidents, injuries and or fatalities as more Ford escapes enter the mileage at which the steering column / power steering fails and locks up.

I started the vehicle to leave my office at the end of the day and noticed a tugging sensation at the steering wheel. On the freeway, it seemed fine, but when I slowed to a stop I could feel it again. The next day, the power steering completely failed. It was like driving a tank. There were no warning lights on the dash display. My Ford dealer replaced the electronic steering column at a cost of $1,374. 40. The vehicle was no longer under warranty due to the mileage, but is only 4 years old.

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact was traveling 40 mph when the power steering failed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 59,000. Updated 08/16/lj the consumer stated the power steering failure occurred three times within the three years she has owned the vehicle. She did not take the vehicle to the dealer, but she did talk them and it seemed they would not do anything until, the failure actually occurred while in their possession. Updated 08/21/12.

While driving normally at 40 mph on a straight good road the steering wheel began kicking right to left abruptly. Almost like a big right left vibration. This lasted for several minutes before the power steering completely failed and made the steering difficult to control. I pulled to the side of road. Turned off the car and restart and took it immediately to the Ford dealer. Dealer said the electic power steering units were back order 5 - 8 weeks because many failures. This is a safety issue and people could die with the power steering failures. Please recall them before somebodies dies.

I have a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. While driving downhill and while braking, power steering seemed to fail completely for 3-5 seconds. Steering did not lock completely, it seemed, but it took real strength to move it as I was going around a gentle curve. I'm not sure my wife could have done same. Potentially very dangerous. Car is with dealership now.

Power steering failed while driving. Vehicle was taken to dealer for repair. Manufacturer diagnosed as "power steering control module" and replaced part. Less than two months later, power steering failed again. Vehicle again was taken to dealer for repair and diagnosed as "power steering pump wiring harness melted" power steering wiring harness part is currently not available and part is being manufactured 3 weeks after incident.

See all problems of the 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 🔎.

Driving at low speed when power steering shut off. This has occurred 1-2/month since I purchased the car from the dealer in 2008. When I have taken it in to the dealer and told them it was still occurring they always said there was no code so basically no problem. Power steering failure happened randomly at various speeds; when it happened at freeway speed was the worst. Finally took it to an independent mechanic and they found a code indicating it is the electric assisted power steering control module. Why are the 2005-2007 fehs not included in the recall?.

See all problems of the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid 🔎.

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at any sped and over a bump, the power steering failed; the contact had to apply extra force to keep control of the vehicle. The failure occurred intermittently. The contact turned the vehicle off for few moments and the failure would subside. The dealer replaced the power steering harness and computer module. The failure mileage was 31,567 and the current mileage was 91,000.

2005 Ford Escape Hybrid, 9500 miles, drove 20 miles in 5 degree weather. Shut car off for 15 minutes. When restarted power steering failed. Drove 5 miles with power steering off. Restarted car after 2 hours. Power steering worked fine.