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Ford Escape Hybrid Suspension/Steering Problems

31 messages,  Last post on Dec 08, 2012 at 5:36 PM

You are in the Ford Escape Hybrid Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Escape Hybrid, Steering, Suspension, Hybrid Cars, SUV

Messages Page 4 of 4

#22 of 31 Re: Steering Locks Up / Failure While Driving [jlcomstock] by bails1

Jan 15, 2011 (1:33 pm)

Replying to: jlcomstock (Jun 03, 2010 8:40 am)
Hi there first time on this site and just read your comment about the Ford Escape, we live in Alberta Canada and my wife has a 2010 Escape 6 months old and the power steering has just failed on hers and I agree with you we are talking 100% fail. Luckily it was while we were in a parking lot and not on our way home where we encounter Deer on a regular basis. If this happened at speed I do not want to think about the consequences, Ford needs to look at this NOW or face what Toyota did for their inaction.
   
I will be writing letters to the dealership and Ford so they are both aware of the issue so there is no denial later on. I also saw there was another complaint to the NHTSA about a similar problem . We were warned not to buy a Ford because the perception is they do not stand behind their product. We have been over the moon with the Escape until now and I was even thinking about getting aa new F150 but I may have to re-think that decision. I will keep you posted on what the dealer says but they can`t even look at it until Monday and it`s Saturday.

#23 of 31 Re: Steering Locks Up / Failure While Driving [fullwoodsue] by afraid2drive

Jan 23, 2011 (4:14 pm)

Replying to: fullwoodsue (Dec 13, 2010 4:03 pm)
I have the same problem with my 2009 Ford Escape. Two times the steering has locked when I tried to turn it. Once I was stopped and attempted to turn left. The other I was driving and tried to steer to the left. Several other times the steering wheel and brakes lost power momentarily and the stability control light went on. The last time, yesterday, I was driving along about 35 miles an hour when the power just went - only for about 3 seconds and then it was fine. I've taken into the dealer three times. It never happens when they take it for a ride. They did something to the steering column once. I have 18000 miles on it. I have another vehicle so I find I am driving it less and less. I don't know what to do

#24 of 31 Re: Steering Locks Up / Failure While Driving [jlcomstock] by jlcomstock

Feb 08, 2011 (9:32 am)

Replying to: jlcomstock (Oct 18, 2010 7:03 pm)
Well, this happened a third time. First two times were in 24,000 miles. Now again at 30,000.
 
I was going about 20 mph, into a curve. And this time my wife was with me. Again, I applied the brake, and the wheel loosened up.
 
Taking it in next week, so we'll see what they say. I'm definitely printed out some posts from on here and other sites from other people so they don't discount me as crazy.

#25 of 31 Re: Steering Locks Up / Failure While Driving [jlcomstock] by jlcomstock

Feb 16, 2011 (12:48 pm)

Replying to: jlcomstock (Feb 08, 2011 9:32 am)
Today my FEH is at the dealership. They are replacing the steering column under warranty.
 
They just took me at my word and said, "It looks like Ford has been having problems with the steering column in these Escapes." Though they didn't mention any tests or having seen anything awry.
 
There's a chance that could fix it. There's a chance it won't fix anything. There's a chance it could actually make the problem worse or more frequent.
 
I guess I won't know until it happens again. The steering locks up only about every 5000 - 10000 miles, so I need to go at least a year without it happening before I feel comfortable.
 
I would like to get rid of the car. I'm not too comfortable with driving my family around in this thing. But I don't know if I can afford to do that because I don't know if I can get a replacement vehicle for the same cost as just keeping this one. Still owe $17k on something that might kill me.
 
Good times.

#26 of 31 2005 ford escape by macquarrie

Apr 19, 2011 (12:16 pm)

Although I don't have a hybrid, I have had my 2005 Ford Escape for 5 years. I was out today driving down an alley. I went to turn right and the wheel completely locked up, but the engine did not. Luckily, there weren't any other cars around because I had to make an immediate stop. After shutting it off and restarting it I was able to make it home. But this was very scary, especially since I usually have my 1 year old son with me.
 
I want to take it in, but like many posts here, I tried to recreate what happenend today, but couldn't, so there isn't much that can be done. Any suggestions?????

#27 of 31 Ford Escape Mechanic in the San Francisco Area by creta

Jul 13, 2011 (10:57 pm)

Hello,
 
I own a 2006 FEH.
 
Unfortunately the power steering assist mechanism (electric -not hydraulic) needs to be replaced/repaired.
 
I am looking for a top flight mechanic who is familiar with this issue, the dealer has recommended that I buy a new vehicle..... they indicate the repair is too complex, risky and expensive.
 
I would greatly appreciate any assitance
 
Thank you,
 
Creta

#28 of 31 Re: Ford Escape Mechanic in the San Francisco Area [creta] by pf_flyer HOST

Jul 14, 2011 (4:07 am)

Replying to: creta (Jul 13, 2011 10:57 pm)
It's hard to imagine a repair (even if it's a complete replacement) of the power steering assist unit would be to expensive to be worth doing on a 5 year old vehicle. Not having heard an estimate, I could be mistaken on that. And the word "risky" is really throwing me for a loop. What risk? Is the mechanic not sure if he'll break something else attempting the repair? Too complex sounds like he just doesn't want to be bothered.
 
Did he give you an estimate?

#29 of 31 Re: Steering Locks Up / Failure While Driving [jlcomstock] by myownmolly

Sep 08, 2011 (7:44 pm)

Replying to: jlcomstock (Feb 16, 2011 12:48 pm)
My FEH first showed the steering problem less than 4 months after I bought it. The dealership had it for 9 days and replaced part of the steering column.
 
A year and 8 months later, the steering problem returned. this time the dealership had my car for nearly 2 months because they were replacing the entire wire harness and it was backordered.
 
6 months and 8 days later, the steering problem returned, AGAIN. This time Ford is doing a "repurchase" of my car. They have to follow certain guidelines according to California Lemon laws, they just don't have to follow them fast.
 
I have been driving this ticking time-bomb since August 20, 2011. I am going to give them about another week to make good with their buyback before I hire an attorney and go that route.
 
If your steering is going out, you need to contact Ford Corporate. Their phone number is on the internet. Ford knows this is a problem. They are responsible to make it right.

#30 of 31 Steering locks up 09 FEH by sothsegger

Sep 24, 2012 (4:01 pm)

I've had four instances this summer of my steering locking up temporarily. So far always at low speed. I've got it at a dealer now, but I know from experience with brake failure on the same car that Ford will not authorize any repair that can't be duplicated by the dealer. Indeed, I know that despite all the posts here, Ford will claim it has never heard of the problem. It will take a fatality to get Ford's attention.

#31 of 31 Re: Steering Locks Up / Failure While Driving [fullwoodsue] by davebhasin

Dec 08, 2012 (5:36 pm)

Replying to: fullwoodsue (Dec 13, 2010 4:03 pm)
I just picked up my FEH 2007 after paying $2700 to the dealer for steering repair. It went out (completely) as I was pulling out of a parking spot. Ford does not believe there is a problem with it. For me, it was a HUGE problem. This was my first domestic purchase in 2007 when I bought it brand new. After 5.5 years, I paid over 10% of what I had paid when I bought it new. The dealership says it is new technology that costs a lot more to repair when it breaks down.

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