2008 Ford Escape Steering Problems
- 936
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 936 stored complaint records:
- 22 indicate a crash
- 14 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- Column · 3 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 373 |
| 60–100k mi | 254 |
| 150–400k mi | 142 |
| 30–60k mi | 55 |
| 1–30k mi | 18 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
At first it was hard to start unless i pushed the key in while starting then the power steering just went out totally. The steering wheel also vibrated when sitting and idling prior to the steering going out. *tr
ODI 10566034
Steering
Suddenly i began hearing a clicking noise in the dash of my 2008 escape with 96,800 miles. Next i began hearing a raspy noise in the steering column. While in idle my steering wheel jerks to the left and right on it's own. Both the jerking and the noises come and go with out any prior warning. This seems to be a major issue in many of the 2008 escapes, and someone is going to get seriously injured or killed. I…
ODI 10565369
Steering
Started vehicle in parking lot. As i went to back out, i realized i had no power steering. Turned vehicle of, then back on and power steering came back. However, now the steering chatters at idle. After having read the numerous complaints on the nhtsa sight, i decided to add mine to the list. Over 1/3 of all the complaints received for this model are for the same issue. When is there going to be a recall? *tr
ODI 10564752
Steering
I was attempting to leave a gas station when the power steering failed. Turned the vehicle off for about 10 seconds, then on again. Still no power steering. With great difficulty and with no power steering, backed away from the gas pump to an out-of-the-way area. Turned the vehicle off then on again. Power steering returned. I checked online to find that other ford/escape owners have experienced the same thing. It…
ODI 10576582
Steering
Twice this morning, while at a stop light, the steering wheel has begun to move on its own. The movements are small, rapid adjustments to the left and right. While investigating the cause, i found this to be a growing problem reported with this 1st year model ford escape with "electric power steering", and has been cited, by many, to result in numerous, no-warning, losses of power steering. The problem reported is a…
ODI 10564604
Steering
My wife complained one day the steering column was shaking. Then a few days later she said the power steering was not working. To get it to work, she turned the ignition on and off until it worked. I drove it a few days later and found the column shaking violently. The next morning, the battery was dead. Apparently the sensor in the column did not tell the ignition to turn off and it drained the battery. Tow truck…
ODI 10565502
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact stated the power steering failed. The vehicle was not taken for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vin was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 109000.
ODI 10565240
Steering
I don't know who to contact but my 2008 ford escape has experienced power steering loss. There are several issues. The power steering randomly goes out while driving making controlling the escape impossible. You have to turn car off and restart to get power steering to come back. If this would happen while moving at a fast speed it would be a very dangerous situation. I will be taking my car to a dealership tomorrow…
ODI 10564603
Steering
As i was driving to work this morning, my power steering suddenly went out, without warning. I was able to gain control of the vehicle, but would most likely have crashed if this had happened on a busier road, or at greater speeds. I planned on taking the vehicle to my mechanic, but my first internet search uncovered the breadth of this issue, which seems to affect most escape owners at or near the five year mark of…
ODI 10564417
Steering
At idle speeds vehicle wheel shakes on its own when driving, power steering sensors force wheel to fluctuate, and motor inside steering column makes noise. Vehicle taken to dealer, was told standard fix is for steering column to be replaced, but cannot yet verify that is needed yet. Was told the condition will get worse, and for now to wait on repair, which would cost $1,600 to replace steering column. *tr
ODI 10564391
Steering
I was on the highway with my 2 children and the power steering went out making it difficult to steer and change lanes even with the assist that the vehicle gives. If it was my wife in the care i don't think she would've been able to control it. So i pulled off the highway and read the manual and waited for about 20 minutes. When i tried it again the power steering came back. It thankfully which is not good went out…
ODI 10584126
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the power steering failed without warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure approximate failure mileage was 87,000 and the current mileage was 87,500. The vin was not available.
ODI 10569062
Steering
While stopped at red light, i noticed a "twitch" in the steering wheel. Steering appeared to be normal as i was driving. Later, again while setting still, i again noticed steering wheel actually "twitch" on it's own, my hands were off of the steering wheel. This vehicle has electronic steering assist. Vehicle is currently at dealership being evaluated. They are telling me that ford currently doesn't have a recall on…
ODI 10564450
Steering
I was pulling my 2008 ford escape out of the driveway when the power steering failed. The ignition was turned off and then turned back on and problem seemed to resolve. However, that was 2 weeks ago and it has been happening every day since. Also, the steering wheel now vibrates from side to side all the time. The vehicle only has 56,000 miles on it! I'm concerned that it might go out while i'm driving. It's a…
ODI 10565574
Engine And Engine Cooling · Steering
I was driving down the highway slowing down to make a left hand turn and was unable to turn wheel. After researching it found out if you have the heat on it will cause the sensor to over heat. This is unacceptable. *tr
ODI 10574803
Steering
Teenage daughter driving to school when electric power steering failed without warning. Obviously it is the power portion only that fails, but sudden loss of power assist in a vehicle the size of a ford escape for a young driver is rather traumatic. Had it been at highway speed on a corner (like 5 minutes earlier) instead of a parking lot the results could have been horrible. Researching the nhtsa website i see this…
ODI 10565679
Steering
Power steering on my escape went out without warning, if i would have been going faster or making a turn, i could have lost control of my car and crashed. The number of complaints online is astounding, this is a huge issue and something needs to be done to make sure no one gets seriously injured. *tr
ODI 10563872
Steering
Lost power steering when turning from a stop. Pulled over stopped and restarted the car and the steering came back. Happened again 2 weeks later. When the steering goes out it is nearly impossible to steer the car. The second time it happened was at 30 mph and was lucky enough to be near a shopping center where i could pull in, stop and restart the car. There is no warning when this happens it just goes! *tr
ODI 10569258
Electrical System · Steering
I was driving down the street and my power steering stopped working for the third time in a month causing me to run off the road because i couldn't make the next turn. If i pull over, turn off the car, and restart then it works fine. If i was going any faster, this could have been fatal. *tr
ODI 10577307
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the power steering assist failed. The vehicle was shut off and restarted however, the failure was sporadic. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
ODI 10565612
Steering
On feb 4 2014 our daughter called very upset stating while making left hand turn steering froze up stopped car no oncoming traffic forced steering back came clear later that afternoon steering froze 2 more times on my wife had to turn engine off and restart steering wheel also had a slight vibration ford has to know they have a problem echlon ford stratford nj knows and had no problem handing me a bill for 1431.06…
ODI 10568284
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
Power steering all of sudden went out while i was driving. *tr
ODI 10565374
Steering
My daughter was making a left turn from a full stop after turning had to force steering back lucky there was no on coming traffic later that day while turning into gas station steering locked up on my wife lucky she was going slow called dealer where we bought vehicle took in for service 2/5/2014 done on 2/6/2014 replaced steering column $1431.06 can ford even replace a little finger for that amount i don't think so…
ODI 10564228
Steering
Power steering failure while driving. Power steering goes out. *tr
ODI 10587701
Power Train · Steering
My power steering keeps going out and on and out and on at any rate of speed. I can't afford the 1500.00 to replace it since i just had my transmission replaced at 4,000.00 it is a big safety issue and i've seen 1000 other complaints online. Ford needs to do a recall. This is ridiculous. Gm just did a recall and it is the same part. Can someone help with this matter please? *tr
ODI 10578306