Problems · by component

2008 Ford Escape steering problems

1,237 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Ford Escape cite steering, 51% of all 2,417 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
1,237
51% of all complaints
Crashes
30
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
19
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Was driving on highway at 55 when the wrench warning light came on drove car to residence and turned it off, when car was cranked again it had no power steering. Vin number was not included in recall on same issue. Has not been fixed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2026SteeringODI 11756566
“The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH on the highway, the steering wheel seized. The failure was intermittent. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure recurred while reversing out of the driveway. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,548”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 30, 2026SteeringODI 11734808
“The contact owns a 2008 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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became firm and failed to turn to the left or the right. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it remained for several weeks; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 6, 2026SteeringODI 11729359
“The power steering torque sensor went out. It was recalled, the repair was made, but the part is failing again. It is creating a safety issue. Ford won't re-repair. The part they put in is failing again. It has been less than 15 years since they put in the recalled part.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 17, 2026SteeringODI 11724880
“The power steering started going out at low speeds and eventually just stopped working. The car keeps saying power steering assist fault. The power steering no longer works.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 18, 2026SteeringODI 11718770
“The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that occasionally, while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. An unknown warning light was illuminated, and an audible ringing sound was coming from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign: 14V284000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 29, 2026SteeringODI 11714175

Showing 6 of 1,237 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Steering: electric power assist system

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.

SteeringReported May 29, 2014NHTSA 14V284000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.