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
Power steering went out. Was near home and able to get vehicle into driveway. After shutting off and re-starting power steering worked. Steering wheel vibrated while driving until repair made. *tr
ODI 10578289
Steering
No power steering upon vehicle start up. Power steering returns after turning off and restarting vehicle 1-4 times. *tr
ODI 10566611
Steering
This happens multiple times on a long drive over 30 minutes. As i am driving the power steering in my 2008 ford escape xlt will fail and i will lose the ability to steer my vehicle. I have almost had several severe accidents on the highway when it happens at 70mph. This is a huge safety issue and there are many reports of this happening online to similar 2008 escapes. Ford has been silent on the issue. This needs a…
ODI 10574216
Steering
The vehicle's steering began to shutter. Then the power steering suddenly gave out. I was barely able to make turns to the right to exit the highway. The condition goes away after stopping and restarting but less than a minute after restarting, the condition returns. I have yet to be able to take the vehicle in for repair of this issue. This is dangerous. *tr
ODI 10560382
Steering
The steering wheel locked in position and the vehicle could not be turn in any direction. This was a potentially deadly situation. The driver had no way of knowing when it might occur. *tr
ODI 10567690
Steering
Steering wheel began to shake or shimmy when the vehicle was stopped and idling. Turned vehicle off and back on... The began to drive, power steering was out completely. The vehicle would steer - but was very hard to control. Pulled over shut vehicle off, power steering resumed, but steering wheel was shaking again at idle. Very dangerous if it were to happen at an speed. My daughter would not be able to control the…
ODI 10559120
Steering
My daughter was driving this car and the steering went out, ie: steering wheel hard to turn.she was able to pull over and shut the car off. When she re-started, the steering was fine. This happened to me several times before in the exact same manner. Luckily, neither of us was going terribly fast but this could happen anytime and at any speed. This vehicle needs recalled, as i see many other people have had the same…
ODI 10559161
Steering
My wife encountered a steering failure on our vehicle yesterday. Upon review by my mechanic he reported a failure of code b2278 and the reported fix is the replacement by ford of the entire steering column. He also suggested i look online because this appears to be a very common problem among the mid-2000's ford escape hybrids. There are dozens of webpages, each with dozens of entries such as this page (…
ODI 10559128
Steering
Power steering completely went out going around the curve. Did not turn the car out because a test was done on the battery yesterday and it was good, but left work today and had to have it jumped. Bought a new battery. Started the vehicle again and still no power steering. Will be fixed tomorrow for a total of 1200. I could have been with my small son today, but luckily i stayed home from work and my husband took…
ODI 10558942
Steering
A few weeks ago my 2008 ford escapes steering wheel intermittently started vibrating and making clicking noises while idling. I researched this issue on the internet and discovered that this is an indicator the power steering will go out and it can happen while driving at anytime. People on freeways or while turning would loose there power steering which is a safety hazard and can cause a serious and potential…
ODI 10558760
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, he attempted to make a right turn when the power steering assist malfunctioned and the steering wheel started pulling in the opposite direction. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the power steering assist module was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the…
ODI 10562191
Steering
Power steering stopped working while turning corner--car hit mail box @ 10mph. Power steering goes out anytime. *tr
Crash reported
ODI 10576548
Steering
When i start the car intermittently i have no power steering until i turn off the car a restart it. Also when the car is idling the steering wheel shakes and makes a knocking noise. I am very concerned that the steering will go out on the highway and cause an accident. *tr
ODI 10564477
Steering
I was coming to a stop and the electronic assist steering locked up, proceeded to pull away from stop sign and continued to drive to my destination without any steering assist. Upon arrival, turned off car and restarted to get steering assist back. I'm glad nothing happened this time!!!!!, car is undrivable, and too expensive to fix. Ford needs to step up and stand behind their product, too many corporations leave…
ODI 10558410
Steering
I bought my 2008 ford escape on january 15 2013 at 67,000 miles it has 78,000 miles and is doing what so many other complaints said are doing. When i go to turn left especially makes a loud bang click noise in the steering wheel/column. I do have a warranty but others don't. There is over 500 complaints on this issue on safe car.gov. Please dont let a death be a deciding factor for a recall to be issued and to save…
ODI 10560579
Steering
Just as many of the other complaints logged on this site about the 2008 ford escape my issues started with a rattling of the steering wheel when i was idling or breaking. Then a few days later i turned my car on and my power steering wasn't working. I turned the car off and restarted it which resulted in the steering working again. This happened a few times for about a week. I was starting to think maybe this is a…
ODI 10559961
Electrical System · Engine · Steering
Car stalled when driving on hwy in snow storm on two different occasions. Also, rpm's climb, just had the steering column replaced 2 months ago. *tr
ODI 10558611
Steering
Power steering went out, then reset itself. Has gone out again, and has not reset. Went out when highway driving. Serious safety issue. I have read numerous reports on this year make and model having the same issues. Ford needs to recall before someone gets killed. *tr
ODI 10559148
Steering
Hey back in december of 2013 i was driving home and i noticed the steering wheel started to shake. It wasn't a violent shake but it was noticeable. Now i knew i need my sway bar links replaced so i thought that was the issue. As we entered into 2014, (january) it was getting progressively worse. On 1/16/2014 (thursday) that morning before i went to work, the steering wheel was stiff. So i had to cut the car off and…
ODI 10560855
Electrical System · Steering
On dec 27 2013 we were driving escape . When trying go around curve ford lost all power steering which caused us to almost hit wall. My husband drove to side road. Shut it off . Waited few minutes started it power steering was back. Took it to garage was told power steering sensor was going out . Was told it be 1123.00 cost. It happened again on january 3rd 2014. Was told that this is a safety issue and that ford…
ODI 10559498
Steering
Upon starting the vehicle, power steering was unable to work. There is no power steering liquid in this model, and instead uses a computer to assist with power steering. After sitting for several moments, a second attempt was made, and power steering successfully responded. There are hundreds of complaints of a similar nature regarding 2008 models and some for the 2009 model of the ford escape. Is there a recall of…
ODI 10558212
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 mph, a loud clicking noise emitted from the dashboard in addition to a loss of power steering. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road where the engine was turned off. The vehicle resumed normally upon restarting. The failure recurred when the vehicle was in operation.…
ODI 10562857
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to function properly while making a turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the electronic power steering had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 87,800.
ODI 10558772
Steering
The power steering would not engage when starting the vehicle. I would have to turn off the vehicle and restart until in engaged. When it was operating, the steering wheel would shutter back and forth. I took it in to the ford dealer and scan code b2278 confirmed that the torque sensor was bad in the electronic power steering assist. Required the steering column to be replaced at a cost of $1,439.68. *tr
ODI 10563771
Steering
The first time my steering wheel started to shake for no apparent reason at a red light. Then it stopped as i proceeded to drive down the road the steering wheel jerked to the left. I then was worried because i had my little boy with me. I ran into the store and then went home and it stopped. Today, i drove 36 miles pulled into my driveway, stopped waiting for the garage door to open and the steering wheel started…
ODI 10557483