Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 70 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 70, in the owner's own words
Car steering torque sensor not working properly causing power steering assist to be lost compromising electric power steering (eps) assist and increasing the risk of an accident. Ford has a recall 14S05/2014-193, but they are saying my car is not included on this recall at this time although it is exactly the same issue I am having now.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 8 MPH, the steering wheel failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The steering wheel ceased to function; however, the contact was able to make a full turn of the steering wheel, and the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact was able to regain power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to two separate independent mechanics and the contact was informed that the steering wheel module needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact had the same failure three times within a month. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where the steering module was reprogrammed; however, the dealer was unable to provide a cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 260,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving in a parking lot at 15 MPH, the steering wheel became inoperable. The steering wheel was difficult to turn. The power steering assist failure warning light was illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The local dealer and an independent mechanic were contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed as a failure with the electric power steering assist. The contact was informed that the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH and making a left turn, the steering wheel suddenly became difficult to turn. The vehicle was later taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 190,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while stopped, the steering wheel started shaking abnormally. The vehicle then lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the power steering control module was reset; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the vehicle was experiencing similar failure as in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) and advised the contact to reach out to the dealer. The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer also stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 270,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist failed, causing the steering wheel to be difficult to maneuver. The power steering sensor failed warning message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the steering wheel would shake and vibrate before eventually the message "torque sensor failure" had displayed and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering torque sensor and possibly the steering rack were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number 14V284000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that after his wife started the vehicle, it was discovered that the power steering assist had malfunctioned, and the steering wheel was very difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 59,746.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that the steering wheel was locked after starting the vehicle. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle in for a diagnostic test. The dealer also informed the contact that there was no open recall on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that start-up of the vehicle, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon investigation, he discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) which he linked to the failure. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer where they diagnosed the vehicle with a defective steering column assembly; however, his vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact then took the vehicle an independent mechanic where they diagnosed the vehicle with the same failure and informed him that his vehicle should be covered under the recall. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred him NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the independent mechanic. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering failed intermittently without warning. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) which she linked to the failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where they informed her that an unknown sensor had caused the power steering failure. Additionally, the contact was informed that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the Vin was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTION NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 181,011.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED HASSETT FORD (3530 SUNRISE HWY, WANTAGH, NY 11793, (516) 785-7800) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS FAULTY TORQUE SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CARCARE IMPORT AND DOMESTIC (350 ROCKLAND RD, HENDERSONVILLE, TN 37075 (615) 822-5002) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE APPROXIMATELY 129,088. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN IN TO BE REPAIRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS BUT, THE FAILURE PERSISTED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST WITH THE POWER STEERING FAULT MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART ONCE THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE IGNITION WAS DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE VEHICLE FAILING TO RESTART. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED PRIOR TO HER OWNING THE VEHICLE AND THEREFORE NOT SUBJECTED TO THE FREE REPAIR. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ISSUES RELATED TO THE SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED CORROSION IN THE WHEEL WELL WHICH AFFECTED THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SUSPENSION AND THE UNIBODY CONSTRUCTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MECHANIC NEEDED TO REMOVE THE HYBRID BATTERY, THE FUEL TANK, AND THE FUEL LINE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AFTER DRIVING FOR SOME TIME, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOST TORQUE SIGNAL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES, AND WAS INTERMITTENT THE FIRST TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOMETIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT DID NOT ALWAYS CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTH BAY FORD (LOCATED AT 5100 ROSECRANS AVE, HAWTHORNE, CA 90250, (301) 584-7641) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
VEHICLE HAS HAD INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER ASSISTED STEERING FUNCTION. SYSTEM PROVIDES NO WARNING OF STEERING FUNCTION LOSS. CURRENTLY THE STEERING IS SHOWING EVIDENCE OF THE STEERING TORQUE MOTOR FEEDBACK LOSS. PRODUCES SMALL OSCILLATIONS IN STEERING WHEEL WHILE SITTING IN PARK OR AT IDLE.
THE POWER STEERING ASSIST HAS GONE OUT. FORD DID A RECALL ON THIS PART BUT IF YOU WEREN'T HAVING ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT AT THE TIME THEY DID THE RECALL THEY WOULD JUST FLASH YOUR ECU AND CALL IT GOOD. THIS DOESN'T ACTUALLY PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM HAPPENING. SO EVENTUALLY THE POWER STEERING FAILS LIKE IT DID TO ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, WHICH IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THEY THEN WANT TO CHARGE YOU TO HAVE THE STEERING ANGLE TORQUE SENSOR REPLACED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY FORD AT THEIR EXPENSE.
WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING JUST FAILED, THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME VERY HARD TO USE AND NEEDS REPLACED. I HAD FELT A SMALL CHIMY IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT A STOP A DAY OR 2 BEFOREHAND, THAT IS THE ONLY POSSIBLE WARNING,BUT DIDN'T REPEAT. IT JUST FAILED WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS IN TOWN, DASHBOARD PROBLEM LIT UP AND IS WORSE THAN A CAR WITHOUT ANY POWER STEERING. EVEN THOUGH I WAS TOLD IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT REPLACING THE POWER STEERING, THE DIFFICULTY OF IT MAKES ME WONDER HOW SAFE IT REALLY IS FOR MOST DRIVERS. DATE IS APPX, BUT VERY CLOSE TO END OF DEC 2018.
MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID HAS A PROBLEM WITH STARTING THE IGNITION. IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE AND WORSE FOR MANY MONTHS. I HAVE TO PUSH IT IN AND TRY OVER AND OVER BEFORE THE CAR STARTS. IT ALSO HAS SO MANY OF MY WARNING LIGHTS ON EVEN THO THE PROBLEMS FIXED OR REPLACED.
14S05 RECALL, CODE B2278 LOST POWER ASSIST SYSTEM LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS DRIVING IN A NEIGHBORHOOD AT LESS THEN 20MPH. I HAVE 154,000 MILES ON MY CAR. THIS FAILURE MADE IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO STEER MY CAR. IF I HAD BEEN ON A MILDLY BUSY STREET AND NEEDED TO TURN AT AN INTERSECTION I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IT. I WAS MOMENTS FROM GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAN NOT IMAGINE HOW I COULD HAVE HAD ANY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. FORD SHOULD BE REPLACING ALL THE FAILED TORQUE SENSOR. SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND A WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT AND A BYSTANDER PUSHED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FORD ISSUED AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE POWER STEERING MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FRIENDLY FORD (2250 SOUTH RD, POUGHKEEPSIE, NY 12601, (845) 462-1900) AND NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING POWER STEERING FAILURES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY ALREADY ADDRESSED THE RECALL DURING THE EARLIER VISIT. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER TO ESCALATE HIS COMPLAINT TO A TIER 2 LEVEL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER LATER STATED THAT A TIER 2 INQUIRY COULD NOT BE DONE BECAUSE THE CASE WAS CLOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
Data on this page last refreshed .