Power Steering Failure

This is the first time I've heard of this problem, but there are two power steering control modules. Is it possible they changed the wrong one? The Battery Junction Box located on top to the drivers side under the hood is easy to get to and remove the lid. The modules just plug in and there located in #F25 and #F32 slots. There both the first ones in the first and second rows on the right side of the box. They look the same BTW. There is also a Run/Start relay 20A mini fuse in #15 slot. In the SJB (fuses on the passenger side center console) fuse #20 (15A) is something to check also.

The power steering control module can flag a warning to the PCM for loose steering components and binding. In addition, the modules monitor vehicle speed to control the right amount of power assisted steering needed. If you have changed tires, the size could create a conflict with speed sensors and flag a warning. Low tire pressure could have the same effect.

The problem could come from many things, but it sounds like the dealership tech isn't on top of the power steering unit in the FEH. If the code is clearing before he hooks his diagnostic tool, he may never find the problem. The tire issue could cause a problem like this because the speed range may be a problem at a certain speed causing the warning.

Good Luck,

GaryG

The power steering not working should give the tech a DTC code and narrow down the problem. At what point did the power steering stop working? Was it when the tech thought he needed to replaced the wiring harness?

GaryG

Power Steering Failure- Me too!
My 2008 FEH 4WD had a similar issue: I stopped at signal then slowly accelerated to turn left. When I was mid-way through the intersection, the steering wheel went from normal responsive power steering to heavy manual-feeling, like power steering had failed. I compensated for lack of power steering and completed turn safely, and then within seconds, power steering resumed as normal- no warning lights or engine symbols were lighted. 24 hours later, traveling at approximately 60mph, started into a left-hand curve; power steering failed again. Managed to compensate, and complete curve without incident but was rather difficult. I took it to dealer and they have been "unable to duplicate the problem" and so I have been told to pick up the vehicle and drive it until it happens again, if I survive it! I no longer feel safe driving the vehicle and can get nowhere with Ford. I drive a mountainous, tortuous track of highway twice daily and this failure has me freaked out!

The same thing is happenening to me! Ford claims that they have never seen this happen before. I don't feel safe driving this now. The dealer has the car now and I am waiting to see what they come back with. The first time (less than 1 week ago) they relpaced something with the steering. Like you, no warning codes, lights, etc. FORD has to find out what is causing this and fix it before they have a class action suit, or worse, someone is killed!

This identical thing happened to my 2006. Module failed then 2000 miles later harness failed. My car is currently at the dealer and has been for a week. They are telling me that there are no wiring harnesses available in the US at the moment and there won't be any manufactured for at least two more weeks. New technology, same old Ford.

I had the same problem with the steering losing its power. I have a 2008 ford escape and accumulated about 67K miles.
i took the car to the dealersip and was told that i need to have the electronic electronic streering wheel pump replaced.
it's odd hat there were no warning signs/alerts, the steering wheel just suddenly felt loose.
the dealership is charging me about $1700-1800 (parts and labor), to fix the car. Ford claimed that I racked up too much mileage which could have been the reason why the steering wheel started losing its power. Sounds odd to me; I have driven a couple of cars which have more than the mileage I have with this new car and never encountered this problem with the steering wheel. Coud this be a defect?

I first experienced power steering loss after owning my '05 FEH a couple of years. As it was ok when I went in, Ford convinced me a fluke and it didn't happen again for a long time. For me, the "service power steering" message usually comes on but nothing shows when they do diagnostic. I finally drove in while it was happening and wouldn't let them turn off car until they checked but still nothing showed up. However, service mgr says for me to play to replace the steering wiring harness and a sensor . Also says he's never seen the problem before. Two other service mgrs say that's not the solution (though they don't know what is). As this problem doesn't happen all the time (but is increasing in frequency) and the work is just a guess and only warranted for 12 months, it's hard to know what to do.
There is no power steering fluid so one of the solutions above isn't helpful. As Ford told me as well, it's safe to drive but as others indicate, it can get pretty scary. My steering wheel gives a very hard pull to left usually, when it goes out. Lately, does that then doesn't go out for awhile. You find yourself tightly holding the wheel in anticipation. I had a bad should some months back and had to make a U turn - oh, my God!
The irony is that I have loved the car, except for this this which is now making me afraid to drive it. I was just learned the car is built on Mazda GF platform. I dont' know much about that but do know that Mazda is involved in a recall of '07-'09 Mazdas for power steering problem. I haven't been able to find out if the steering in the FEH has any similarities to the Mazdas being recalled.

It has happened to me many times with my 08 escape hybrid. Why aren't they recalling?

I was driving along on the freeway in my 2009 FEH and it felt like the power steering would disappear for about 5 seconds. After the third time it happened I took it to the dealer. The service guys said that they hadn't seen thins before but that they had just gotten a communication from Ford about it. In April of 2009 Ford replaced, what I thought they said was, the steering column connector and a module.

All was well until Dec. 19, 2010 when it did it again. I didn't wait until the third time but took it straight to another dealership (I had moved). Their service guy told me that if they couldn't duplicate the problem (I guess that is what they are supposed to say) they couldn't fix it. I made them look at the repair history and they contacted Ford and then did some more tests.

The upshot is that I am now waiting for a wire harness for somewhere in the steering that has been back-ordered until mid-February! To say I am unhappy about this is a gross understatement.

I have 2006 FEH and have 57,000 miles on it. I just lost the power steering this morning in a parking lot and was towed to the Ford Dealer. They claimed that they never heard of problems like this and had to check the module to determine the cause. Mechanic said he needed a special scanner to read the module. He claimed that the Ford hotline had nothing on it. Having read numerous other FEH owners complaints online I think Ford has lot's of problems with power steering loss. The Edmund blog indicated that sreering column replacement was used at several Ford dealers.
Joe R

I HAVE A 2008 ESCAPE XLS...NOT HYBRID...BUT SAME ISSUES AS STATED ABOVE. AT APPROX. 76,000 POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT US KNOWING AND WE NEARLY COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN TURNING INTO A GAS STATION. SOMETIMES IT CAN BE 'RESET" WHEN TURNIGN THE CAR OFF AND ON AND MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH. SOMETIMES THIS DOESN'T HELP AT ALL AND THE POWER STEERING STAYS OFF. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL GO OUT. WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTA HERE: https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/ AND ENCOURAGE ANY AND ALL WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT TO DO SO, AS WELL AS REPORT IT TO FORD.

The steering failed on my new 2012 Ford Focus Titanium. The car was less than 2 weeks old and had just over 1,000 miles. Scary. Happened on the freeway at high speed. Managed to get it off and parked without incident. Dealer said they'd fixed it ("re-programmed"), but car is now wandering from right to left to right again when travelling at high speeds on the straight. Impossible to keep control of, need both hands and strength to hold. Returned it to the Ford Dealer who is waiting for instructions from Ford HQ on how to fix problem. Happily, I purchased premium care - meaning that Ford pays. But that does not help my safety if it happens again and I can't compensate for loss of electrical steering.

After waiting for nearly 2 months for the wire harness to come back in stock, the thing was replaced. That was mid-February 2011. It is now late August 2011 and the steering problem has happened again. My 2009 FEH is back at the service department.

I no longer feel safe driving this car. I can no longer trust that the repairs will fix the problem. My and my passengers' safety is my first concern. I wish it were Ford's concern, too.

I've had the Electric Power Assist steering fail on my twice in our 2010 Fusion Hybrid. Ford dealer says "there's nothing wrong". Don't feel safe driving it -- especially after reading some of these comments. Am submiting a complaint to https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

I have a 2012 FWD Escape Hybrid, only 2300 km, and noticed same thing. Lost power steering after stopping at light and trying to turn right. Was fortunately able to get the car into a parking place, shut it down and restarted. Will be making a call to Ford tomorrow

DOUBLE WHAMMY!! I have an 08 Ford Escape, not Hybrid.62,200 miles on the engine. December 9th I was on the freeway that had slowing of traffic. When I tried to accelerate I had no power at the accelerator and it completely broke down. That morning, for the first time ever I noticed a small pooling of fluid. Thought it was antifreeze and intended to have it repaired when I returned home 120 miles away. I never made it home. Turns out it was transmission coolant and my transmission went out completely on the freeway. This happened over a weekend and I googloed 'common problems with the 08 Escape'. It brought up literally thousands of complaints over the coolant leak problem and resulting need to replace the transmission. I got it back LAST WEEK with a 'used' transmission w/ 20k on it.

Yesterday, Jan 9th, I parked my car, running, while waiting for a friend at a rental car return. When I put my car in gear to leave, I had ZERO power in my steering. It was driveable but requires every muscle in my arms to drive it. May as well have been a tank! I borrowed another car to get my friend to the airport and when I returned to get my car back, the power steering was working again. Regardless, I took it to the dealer. According to the computer, there is a problem in the wiring harness (this vehicle does not use power steering fluid, it's electrical) and the dealer tells me they have to go through the entire system to identify where the electrical problem is. If it cannot be located, they will have to replace the steering column. I havent gotten any results yet from the dealer. Again, googled this problem and again, there are a multitude of complaints

After the transmission, i started wondering "how much can I depend on my Escape now?" Well, I have my answer. NOT AT ALL! Fortunately, I have a bumper to bumper extended warranty that covers the repair costs, but $100 deductible on each occurance. Not to mention the hassle involved with getting a rental, drop off and pick up of my own car and inconveniencing someone to carry me around to these places. I am self employed and do not have time to continue dealing with the sudden and apparent albatross that I own. I have been a Ford owner since I started driving, 30 years ago. I am done with Ford since neither probloem has been addressed by them and no recall has been issued over either problem.

BUYER BEWARE! Do your research before settling on a Ford Escape, especially 2008-2011.

I have a 2008 Ford Escape not a hybird and was driving this weekend on a trip and the power steering just went out. The car was still drivable but it went out in the middle of me driving on the freeway. The only way to get the power steering back to normal was to turn the truck off and turn it back on again. This is not safe and after reading the comments Im not sure what im going to do about it. This is very bad news very bad news to hear about Ford.