2009 Ford Escape Steering
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
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The power steering, steering assist, has failed in my daughter's 2009 Ford Escape which has less than 90,000 miles on the odometer and very light use. There is zero steering assist. The dealership explained the whole column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was brought to the dealership, we were informed the repair is $3,400.
Yesterday I went to the Ford dealership and asked if my 2009 Ford Escape could have the power steering repaired under recall as the code from the OBD2 data is B2278 and that falls under a RECALL for PSCM Power Steering Control Module - STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR MALFUNCTION CAMPAIGN ID: 14V284000 FORD RECALL #14S05 I was advised there is no open recall of my vehicle and that this recall had been performed in 2014 as a software update. The history also shows my vehicle did not have any stored codes at the time of programming the PSCM. The recall work shows a 0.3 hours time slot for the Ford covered repair. This is and was a band aid and not a genuine remedy. Ford took the cheapest way out of this and denying the repair now is shameful. There are thousands of complaints since then right here on this site. If my Escape had this B2278 code at the time it was brought in, the steering column and torque sensor would have been replaced free of charge. Yesterday while at the dealership I called the Ford customer service national line and spoke with a very courteous gentleman but he was unable to honor a goodwill claim for me. I just want my vehicle to be safe to drive. I believe Ford should repair anyones vehicle that only had a software update and not actual replacement of defective parts. Fords own site says there is no expiration date on this recall. Ironically, this morning I had my power steering again fail while driving this time at the 90 bend in my drive. The steering completely locked up while attempting the turn. The front of my SUV crashed into a frozen snowbank damaging the front. I also wacked my forehead pretty good because I was not wearing my seatbelt yet. I normally get out at the end of my driveway and check my mail before leaving so I don't buckle up until that point. I'm pretty upset by all of this to the point I will be late to work this morning in taking the time to write this back at home. I work for myself and am an Electrician PLEASE MAKE FORD FIX
This is a follow up complaint because I would like to attach more files that are pertinent
Power steering quit working. It would go in and out then just stopped all together. I see there is a recall however my vehicle isn't included but is experiencing the same problem. I have read where other vehicle no included in the previous recall also experienced the same problem.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left or the right. The contact stated that the code “NO BUSS” flashed off and on, causing the instrument cluster to not function as needed. The contact stopped, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the steering wheel returned to normal functionality. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the steering torque sensor and the steering wheel column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); and the contact was informed that the part to do the recall repair was on a national back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
The car had a recall in 2014 was fixed then went out again same part same problem after being fixed ford dealer said they won't handle the recall again steering torque sensor went bad a second time car only had 110000 thousand mile and the same torque sensor that was recalled and replaced went bad again.
I was attempting to leave work I started my vehicle and when I backed up I had no power steering I researched the problem and there was a number of recalls for the same manufactured defect that causes steering failure. The steering column needs to be replaced. My 2009 ford escape power steering manufacturer defect should have been included with the other 2009 ford escape recalls. Unfortunately it's my only vehicle i have to drive
Safety recall on steering. Ford dealership says it is under the recall and the steering column has to be replaced. Part is on back order and he said it could be 3-6 months even a year before the part comes in. This is my main source of income being impacted. I am still paying on the car so a second car loan is not ideal. Is there anyway to get it repaired sooner.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed without warning. Due to the failure, the contact used excessive force to drive the vehicle back to the residence. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); and linked the failure to the recall. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure and was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
I was almost home and all the sudden i could barely control my steering wheel, it was so hard to turn and i almost hit another car. Thats when it dawned on me the power steering quit working.
Unknown. Cranked vehicle and had no power steering.05/27/25
My fiancé my baby and I were leaving the house to go to the store and the steering wheel started jerking to the left when I went to turn right and then the power steering stopped working and sent a message to my dashboard that it failed. I called the ford dealership because I seen that there was a recall for the year make and model of my car but when I called they said there were no open recalls for my VIN number so there was nothing they could do. Which is my only vehicle and it is not safe to drive my 9 month old baby in.
Power steering torque sensor has gone out. Dealership has diagnosed the issue.
Vehicle was involved in recall 14S05 for electric power steering failure. Recall was completed in 2016 with no parts replaced because parts had not failed yet - only a reprogram of PSCM was done. Parts have now failed, and power steering has failed. I contacted my Ford dealer, who said they will not help, yet admitted that at the time the recall was completed parts had not failed but have now. I called Ford customer service and was told they will do nothing. I pushed back given the obvious safety concerns, but they were unmoved. They would not allow me to escalate. I'm firm in my belief that Ford should fix the issue here. Not sure where else to go, but starting with the NHTSA.
The electric power steering assist has gone out, and now I have no power steering which makes turning difficult.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the steering wheel failed to turn to the right or the left. The contact stated that the power steering assist was inoperable. The contact called the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called the manufacturer, who confirmed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The approximate failure mileage was 137,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available
The power steering has gone out we see recalls for this make, year and model. But when we called the dealer they informed us our VIN is not included in this recall problem. But it is in the year 2009 clearly included in the recall for power steering. Why can our Escape not be included in this recall?
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was without power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.
Steering wheel sensor failure. We took the car to Titus Will Ford Tacoma as a recall note stated that this kind of vehicle has an active recall. Unfortunately the dealership could not find our VIN ih the list, though the car fits the criteria: Kansas assembly plant, steering wheel sensor issue. Dealership can confirm Vehicle could not be driven, due to the steering issue, and had to be towed to a dealership. Luckily, it happened as my wife was pulling out of the driveway. . There was no warning lamp but the car shook while driving on the highway. We first thought it was needing wheels balancing. Found out it was not, when my wife tried backing out the driveway and could not steer.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the steering wheel was seized, and the "Power Steering Assist Fault" message was displayed. The check engine and air bag warning lights were also illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was made aware of DTC code: B-1936 and NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 249,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was stiff while attempting to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 223,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and inspected; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was then taken to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his son was operating the vehicle, the power steering malfunctioned, and the steering wheel became 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 contact was informed that the VIN 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 62,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized with no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
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Quick Summary
The 2009 Ford Escape has 718 Steering complaints on file. 11 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.