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
For the last 6 weeks, my steering column would shake when car was idling. I attempted to back out of a parking space pn 12-4-12 and the power steering did not work. I restarted the engine and it began working. Since then, this has happened at least once a day. On 1-4-13, the power steering became no longer functional. The only place that could repair this problem is at the local ford dealership in my town. It is…
ODI 10491970
Steering
Was driving out of the garage from the dealership after the scheduled oil change, the steering wheel was not moving. I stopped the car and walked back to let them know, one of the tech's said the engine had been cleaned and therefore i had to wait for some wires to dry. Have had steering problems since then. When starting engine, i need to turn off and on 2 or 3 times for steering wheel to release and when stopped…
Crash reported
ODI 10490336
Steering
Power steering is failing in the middle of turns causing the vehicle become very difficult to steer. The vehicle must be shut off and restarted to regain power steering function. Failure is intermittent. Based on web research this failure is very common. I feel that this could cause a accident given the right situation. *tr
ODI 10486282
Steering
First thing this morning i drove vehicle approx. 1/4 mile to intersection. Steering was fine. Waited for traffic to clear and then attempted to turn. Power steering had completely failed. I was able to return home but turning the vehicle around and steering was very difficult. I shut off the engine and let the car set for a minute and then restarted. The power steering had returned. *tr
ODI 10483602
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the steering wheel seized as the power steering assist failed without warning. The contact mentioned that she shut off and restarted the vehicle, and it resumed normal function. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the electric steering and the torque sensor were defective and needed to…
ODI 10491684
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact stated the steering wheel became hard to turn while driving in traffic. The steering wheel returned to its normal position when the vehicle was turned off and restarted. The failure was experienced several times. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure…
ODI 10492217
Steering
Lost power steering. Turned car off and on again power returned. Few weeks later while in parking lot same problem. When looked up problem discovered this was a problem with a lot of 2008 escapes. This was the year ford changed to electronic steering. I could not take the chance of this happening while driving on the highway or at a higher speed. I transport my grand children a lot so i had to have it repaired. The…
ODI 10505627
Steering
Power steering failed. Same issue as almost all these posts. Basically it comes and goes, the big problem is it happens randomly. I have been able to control it however im worried about being lax on the wheel around a freeway turn going 60. This is definitely a safety hazard! Im going to take it in but from what i have read on the posts i don't have 1000 to drop. I honestly just dropped 3000 on a new transmission on…
ODI 10482241
Electrical System · Steering
As i was backing up, i lost power steering. I was unable to turn the wheel without great force, and backed into the porch. After turning the car off and turning it back on, this resolved. It happened again the next day going forward at 40 mph. I could hear something in the steering column click and then lost power steering. Now the power steering has completely gone out. When i start the car, i can turn the steering…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10501966
Steering
My daughter was entering an interstate from a cloverleaf when the steering failed and locked which forced the vehicle across to lanes of traffic. Luckily there was not an accident and she was able to get it to the berm and turn off the motor.. After the initial shock of almost being killed she restarted the car and the steering worked. This is the second time the steering has failed. I contacted the dealer and they…
ODI 10486392
Steering
Beginning in the month of october 2012 my steering wheel began shaking. The power steering went completely out just as i was taking a turn on the freeway. I just barely managed avoid hitting someone head on. *tr
ODI 10503826
Electrical System · Steering
Issue happened four times in last couple months--two times with my wife-two with me-was once on highways with each of us -and once in just going into a parking lot while turning at 5 mph or less-have a witness on last occasion a couple days back at work lot. Have also experience a battery dead-took to advance auto of hammonton, nj and advised on sunday passed that battery tested fine. The ignition has been loose-and…
ODI 10477179
Rack And Pinion · Steering
Tl* the contact 2008 ford escape. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds or in the park position he would notice excessive play in the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnose that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised him that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure…
ODI 10480848
Steering
Driving home from dropping my kids off at school, the power steering went out in the vehicle. I was forced to shut the vehicle off and start it again to get power steering to work again. I was almost hit by 3 cars trying to avoid me as i was struggling to get the vehicle to a safe stopping point. My vehicle is a 2008 ford escape limited v6 automatic. *tr
ODI 10475292
Steering
Power steering failed as a u-turn was being attempted...at rush hour. *tr
ODI 10476771
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph the power steering failed. As a result, she was unable to maneuver the vehicle. The contact attempted to inspect the vehicle but was unable to find where the power steering fluid was located. The vehicle was restarted and the steering was operating normally. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the steering column…
ODI 10471855
Steering
Steering was very loose causing vehicle to weave back and forth on roadway..took vehicle to repair shop and lower steering arm was replaced correcting problem. *tr
ODI 10469441
Steering
The power steering faltered going around a corner and i had to manually steer the car. The power steering came back without intervention but it was quite difficult to control the vehicle manually in the turn. I brought the car to the dealer right away. I am still awaiting the dealers diagnosis. *tr
ODI 10463550
Steering
Power steering failed intermittently while driving on i40 in tennessee. Car vibrated and steering shook whenever car was steered straight. Driver had to weave the car within the lane to minimize driving in the straight position. Power steering failed completely when car was started the next morning, making it difficult to steer manually while driving a mile to the dealership. Ford dealer service (crossroads ford,…
ODI 10459811
Power Train · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. While driving 45 mph, the engine revved and the wrench warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. The consumer…
ODI 10650301
Steering
On several occasions my power steering has failed. On each occasion the anti-skid warning light has come on at the same time. The vehicle is still able to be steered as long as you have enough strength. The power steering will reset as soon as you shut the car off and restart. 3 times this happened in the exact same spot while driving on the 408 at about 60 mph in orlando, fl. The 408 is a toll road equipped with…
ODI 10455865
Steering
My daughter was on her way to school when entering a curve in the road her steering locked up she then went off the road an struck a culvert went airborne and when coming down started rolling she was thrown out of the car even though she had her seatbelt on as the police report stated she spent 5 days in the icu with her back broken in 3 places she just turned 17 she has aleast 2 months before maybe she will be back…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10454220
Steering
While entering into traffic onto a busy street the steering failed. Was able (with great effort) to straighten the vehicle in the lane and then safely pull to side(fortunately, my wife was not driving as she would not have had the strength to carry this out and probably would have crashed). Turned ignition off and looked under hood to see if belt had broken, etc. Could not find traditional power steering pump.…
ODI 10450218
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. While driving approximately 45 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stopped the vehicle on the side of the road and shut off the engine. After restarting the vehicle, the steering resumed normal function. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics or repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
ODI 10450063
Air Bags · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact was driving 40 mph when the electronic power steering assist failed and caused the steering wheel to seize. The contact was unable to control the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The airbags did not deploy and the contact sustained neck and lower back injuries. The police were contacted and a police report was filed of the incident. The contact's insurance company…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10452519