NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
827 reportsClear category filter97,000 miles · Jan 25, 2017
Steering
THE STEERING WHEEL ON OUR 2009 FORD ESCAPE STARTED SHAKING CONSTANTLY AND THERE'S A WARNING SHOWING "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE." WE TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER. THEY DETERMINED IT WAS AN ISSUE COVERED UNDER A RECALL AND WE SCHEDULED A SERVICE APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIR. WHEN WE TOOK IT IN FOR THE APPOINTMENT, THEY THEN TO…
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THE STEERING WHEEL ON OUR 2009 FORD ESCAPE STARTED SHAKING CONSTANTLY AND THERE'S A WARNING SHOWING "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE." WE TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER. THEY DETERMINED IT WAS AN ISSUE COVERED UNDER A RECALL AND WE SCHEDULED A SERVICE APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIR. WHEN WE TOOK IT IN FOR THE APPOINTMENT, THEY THEN TOLD US IT WASN'T A RECALL AND WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. WE DIDN'T CONTINUE WITH THE REPAIR AT THAT TIME. WE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED ON 05/29/14, NHTSA CAMPAIGN #14V284000, FORD RECALL #14S05. WE OWNED THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME OF THE RECALL AND WERE NEVER NOTIFIED. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REGARDING THE ISSUE, BUT THE ONLY RESOLUTION THEY OFFERED WAS THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE WITH OUR FORD DEALER, WHICH WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM UNDER RECALL. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND ASKED THEM TO CONDUCT A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON IT WITHOUT TELLING THEM THE BACKGROUND. THEY PERFORMED THE CHECK AND DETERMINED IT WAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND RECALL WE WERE ALREADY AWARE OF. THEY PROVIDED US WITH THE RECALL DOCUMENTATION AND ADVISED US TO GO TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SHOULD REPAIR THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE PREVIOUS RECALL. COULD SOMEONE PLEASE PROVIDE US ASSISTANCE OR ADVICE IN GETTING OUR VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER THIS RECALL? WE'RE FEARFUL OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF STEERING LOSS AND DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW FORD IS REFUSING TO REPAIR A CLEARLY OBVIOUS RECALL ISSUE. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10947500
135,000 miles · Jan 23, 2017
Steering
MY FORD'S VIN# [XXX]. MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON MY WAY TO WORK. I STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. IT SEEMS TO FAIL AFTER DRIVING A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MILES. THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES HARD TO TURN AND YOU NEED TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO RESUME POWER STEERING. I CALLED FORD CUSTOM…
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MY FORD'S VIN# [XXX]. MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON MY WAY TO WORK. I STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. IT SEEMS TO FAIL AFTER DRIVING A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MILES. THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES HARD TO TURN AND YOU NEED TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO RESUME POWER STEERING. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME. I'M VERY SURPRISED THAT THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE AND FORD WONT DO ANYTHING TO HELP ITS CUSTOMERS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10947237
139,000 miles · Jan 17, 2017
Electrical SystemSteering
14S05. I WAS DRIVING THE 2009 FORD ESCAPE ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 70MPH. THE STEERING WILL STOPPED CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE CORRECTLY AND THEN THE STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I ALMOST CRASHED, PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY, GATHERED MYSELF, CUT ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND CUT THE AUTO OFF. AFTER A MINUTE, I STARTED THE…
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14S05. I WAS DRIVING THE 2009 FORD ESCAPE ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 70MPH. THE STEERING WILL STOPPED CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE CORRECTLY AND THEN THE STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I ALMOST CRASHED, PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY, GATHERED MYSELF, CUT ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND CUT THE AUTO OFF. AFTER A MINUTE, I STARTED THE AUTO UP AGAIN AND MOVED FORWARD TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK IN BUT IT WAS VERY VERY LOOSE. WHEN I GOT IT HOME I INFORMED MY MOTHER THAT IT NEEDED TO BE LOOKED AT. SHE CALLED THE FORD HOTLINE AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THE RECALL ON HER VEHICLE WAS CLOSED BUT IF THE STEERING WENT OUT, THAT IT WAS COVERED BY THE RECALL. SHE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THAT FORD TOLD HER TOO AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPAIR IT. SHE LEFT THE VEHICLE OVER NIGHT TO BE FIXED BUT THE NEXT DAY THEY TOLD HER THAT IT WASN'T A RECALL AND THAT SHE HAD TO PAY $89 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT SHE DIDN'T KNOW SHE HAD TO PAY. THEY STILL REFUSE TO HELP IN ANY KIND OF WAY AT ALL. MY MOTHER IS IN HER MID 70'S WITH A FIXED INCOME. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR HER TO COME UP WITH $2000. HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/FORDWONTHONORRECALL14S05/ *TR
NHTSA ODI #10945789
135,000 miles · Jan 17, 2017
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING ABILITY SEIZED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK LEFT TO RIGHT ON ITS OWN. THE VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING ABILITY SEIZED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK LEFT TO RIGHT ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE HOUSE WITH THE STEERING ABILITY VERY LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWO DAYS LATER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND TIPM FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
NHTSA ODI #10945661
157,000 miles · Jan 13, 2017
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000. UPDATED 03/03/17*LJ *CN
NHTSA ODI #10945153
57,000 miles · Jan 4, 2017
Steering
THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING 14S05 JULY 2014. WHICH I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AND THEY REPROGRAMED THE COMPUTER. ONE TIME THE POWER STEERING FAILED BUT RESTARTING CAR MADE IT WORK. LAST WEEK MY POWER STEERING FAILED THIS WAS 2 YEARS AFTER THE REPROGRAMING. I BROUGHT IT TO FORD LIVERMORE, CA AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE TO…
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THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING 14S05 JULY 2014. WHICH I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AND THEY REPROGRAMED THE COMPUTER. ONE TIME THE POWER STEERING FAILED BUT RESTARTING CAR MADE IT WORK. LAST WEEK MY POWER STEERING FAILED THIS WAS 2 YEARS AFTER THE REPROGRAMING. I BROUGHT IT TO FORD LIVERMORE, CA AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE TORQUE SENSOR WAS THE PROBLEM WHICH WAS NOT FIXED DURING THE RECALL WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN. ANYWAY JUST WANTED TO SAY FORD DID NOT FIX MY POWER STEERING PROBLEM AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE. VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT RESTARTED CAR AND POWER STEERING CAME BACK. DROVE HOME PARKED IN GARAGE AND NEXT TIME STARTED CAR POWER STEERING WAS OUT
NHTSA ODI #10939622
78,193 miles · Jan 4, 2017
Steering
THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS MODEL OF THE 2009 FORD ESCAPE FOR A STEERING ISSUE. THEY DID NOT HONOUR THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER EXPLAINED HOW DANGEROUS OF A PROBLEM THIS LACK OF ELECTRIC STEERING WAS CAUSING. I HAD TO PAY FOR AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST WO…
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THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS MODEL OF THE 2009 FORD ESCAPE FOR A STEERING ISSUE. THEY DID NOT HONOUR THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER EXPLAINED HOW DANGEROUS OF A PROBLEM THIS LACK OF ELECTRIC STEERING WAS CAUSING. I HAD TO PAY FOR AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST WOULD STOP FUNCTIONING WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, THIS CAUSED HEAVY VIBRATIONS OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND A LACK OF POWER STEERING.
NHTSA ODI #10939586
148,000 miles · Dec 29, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST PUMP SENSOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIGOROUSLY. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.
NHTSA ODI #10938491
Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WITHOUT WARNING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, RESTARTED, AND DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WITHOUT WARNING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, RESTARTED, AND DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10937084
150,000 miles · Dec 20, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #10936538
NHTSA investigations
3DP15001 · Loss Of Power Steering While Driving
Opened Apr 1, 2015 · Closed Jun 14, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System
On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering input. When the system detects this fault condition, it transitions the EPAS system to the fail-safe/manual steering mode.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the proper repair procedure. If no DTCs are present, dealers are to update the PSCM and instrument cluster module software. The updated PSCM software changes the torque sensor fault strategy so that the SNR condition does not result in a loss of power steering assist while driving.In addition, audible and visual warnings are provided for torque sensor faults.If DTCs indicating faults in the torque sensor, PSCM or Power Steering Motor (motor) are present in the initial recall inspection, the dealer performs the following repairs: 1) replaces the torque sensor for torque sensor faults (DTC B2278); or 2) replaces the steering column for faults related to the PSCM (DTC B1342) or motor (DTC B2277).Continued in attachment pages
PE13003 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Opened Feb 21, 2013 · Closed Feb 28, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
On February 21, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 to investigate allegations of electronic throttle body (ETB) failures resulting in sudden reduction of engine power in model year (MY) 2009-2013 Ford Escape, Fusion, Mariner and Milan vehicles. During this investigation, Ford identified a condition in subject vehicles equipped with 2.5L and 3.0L engines that may result in a sudden reduction of engine power.According to Ford, the ETB internal motor contacts may develop a high resistance material buildup condition on the commutator, resulting in intermittent electrical connectivity and reduced engine power. When this condition occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or Wrench light will illuminate and the vehicle may enter a limited limp home mode.Ford?s trade name for the feature is Failure Mode Effects Management (FMEM) mode.In this mode, engine power and vehicle speed are reduced, while full function of the power steering, power braking, lighting, and climate control systems are maintained.ODI?s complaint analysis indicate that the predominant failure mode involved reduced motive power associated with the limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Analysis of warranty claims provided by Ford identified 59,807 claims related to ETB replacements and approximately 50 percent of claims are associated with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed.Ford described several factors where the ETB motor may fail resulting in DTCs P2111 or P2112 but the failure is not an existing stuck open or closed ETB valve position.According to Ford, the ETB control strategy provides the driver with three FMEM modes that allow varying degrees of vehicle mobility depending on the severity of the fault detected.DTCs associated with stuck open or closed throttle valves are designated the highest failure severity resulting in engine speeds limited to high idle corresponding to the limited limp home mode.Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability.Other FMEM limp modes may result in reduced engine performance but will maintain vehicle speed above 20mph. During this investigation, Ford and its suppliers, Delphi and Igarashi, updated the powertrain control module (PCM) software to include a throttle body motor cleaning cycle during key-on and modified the ETB internal motor components design, surface finish and material composition to improve durability. Additionally, Ford developed a remedy procedure and issued a special Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) 13N03 extending the ETB warranty coverage and instructing dealers to update the powertrain calibration to improve vehicle performance in the event that intermittent electrical connectivity of the throttle body motor contacts occurs. The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, all vehicles are eligible for the program through January 31, 2015 regardless of mileage.Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by mail to take their vehicle to a Ford dealer who will reprogram the PCM to the latest calibration. The bulletin was sent to dealers on January 17, 2014 and the owner letter mailing began on January 27, 2014. See the investigative file for copies of Ford's bulletin and owner letter. This preliminary evaluation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding that
DP12006 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Opened Oct 2, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles. On October 2, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition DP12-006 to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition is hereby granted on certain model years. The NCCC letter cites two complaints of stall while driving in MY 2009 Ford Escape vehicles that were diagnosed as failed throttle bodies with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed. The petitioner indicates that the owners of both vehicles reported experiencing repeated incidents of stalling and engine surging. According to Ford, Escape non-hybrid vehicles are equipped with Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) assemblies beginning with MY 2009. Vehicles manufactured between June 22, 2009 and October 15, 2009 may contain contaminated printed circuit boards (PCB) with plating variations. Plating variations could lead to a lack of continuity in the throttle position sensor circuit where P2111 and/or other DTCs would be generated and stored. Ford and its electronic throttle body supplier, Delphi, modified the PCB manufacturing process and issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) 09-23-5. Vehicles produced after October 15, 2009 incorporated ETBs manufactured with a PCB process that resolved this condition. ODI's analysis identified a total of 123 unique reports indicating allegations of reduced motive power or vehicle stall. Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance associated with three limp home modes. In two limp modes, reduced engine performance may maintain vehicle speeds above 20mph while the third is a limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Allegations of stall appear to be related to the limited limp home mode. Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability. Allegations of vehicle surge appear to be related to limp home mode operation. Complaints alleging surge are most likely related to engine RPM fluctuations at low vehicle speeds or idle as the control system engages to prevent engine stall. In limited limp mode, rough-idle conditions may exist while the control system attempts to modulate engine RPMs once the vehicle reaches a reduced speed to maintain approximately 900 RPM. Separately, ODI received 59 complaints alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in model year (MY) 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles. Approximately 60 percent (36) of the incidents occurred at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more. Eighty percent of complaints (47) were received beginning March 2012 and 14 complaints reported that the throttle body was replaced or DTCs associated with limp home modes. Additionally, Ford issued TSB 10-21-6 addressing DTCs associated with idle speed drops and limited limp home mode. The petition is granted on certain model years.Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.See full copy of the closing resume for this defect petition for list of the VOQs associated with the defect petition analysis.
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