NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Ford Escape. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
GAS PEDAL STICKS AND WHEN YOU PUSH IT, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO. AFTER PUMPING IT A FEW TIMES, THE CAR GOES FORWARD VERY FAST. WHEN PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL, YOU DON'T KNOW IF THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE OR IF IT WILL LURCH FORWARD. *TR
THIS WEEK THE NEWS HAD STORIES ABOUT GENERAL MOTORS RECALLING SEVERAL CARS BECAUSE THE IGNITION CAN SUDDENLY TURN OFF CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE EVEN DEATHS DUE TO BAD ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT OF THE IGNITION FAILURE AND CAR LOSING POWER. THIS REMINDED ME OF AN INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED TO ME WHICH WAS SIMILAR. I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID LAST DECEMBER, ON I-280 IN SAN FRANCISCO DURING RUSH HOUR AT 65 MPH, WHEN SUDDENLY THE DASH BEEPED AT ME, FLASHED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, DISPLAYED A MESSAGE TO PULL OVER SAFELY, AND THE ENGINE HAD NO POWER! I SUDDENLY FOUND MYSELF IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, MIDDLE LANE OF THE FREEWAY AND NO POWER TO SAFELY PULL OVER. I WAS LOSING SPEED AND SLOWED TO WHERE I CUT BETWEEN OTHER CARS AND OVER TO THE SHOULDER. I'M SURE I CUT SOMEONE OFF IN THE PROCESS. LUCKILY THERE WAS NOT A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. THERE COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN AN ACCIDENT. THE SAME THING HAPPENED THREE MORE TIMES IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS BEFORE I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO BE FIXED. THEY INDICATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE. THE FORD DEALER DIAGNOSED IT WITH CODE P1A0D, WHICH WAS A BAD COOLANT PUMP FOR THE ELECTRIC GENERATOR. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER FORD ESCAPE OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SITUATION AS I DID WHERE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE AT HIGH SPEED AND PUT THEM INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION. A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH ON THIS FINDS SEVERAL BLOG REPORTS OF PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR SITUATIONS. FORD HAS YET TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS, BUT I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST FORD: MACDONALD V. FORD, CASE NO. 3:13-CV-02988, IN THE US DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA. *TR
THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE. BEFORE THE ACCELERATOR WOULD HESITATE A LITTLE BIT AND THAN GO. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT FORD NEED TO FIX ASAP. *TR
THIS PROBLEM ORIGINALLY OCCURRED ON DEC 12TH 2013. WHEN I STARTED MY CAR,THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. I THEN TURNED OFF THE CAR,PULLED THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED IT,AND THE WHEEL WAS FINE THEN. AS I WAS DRIVING, MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE SLIGHTLY BACK AND FORTH WITHOUT ME TOUCHING IT. THERE WERE NO INDICATOR LIGHTS LIT UP ON MY DASHBOARD. THEN WHILE DRIVING SOME MORE,I HEARD A FAINT CLICK,AND MY STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AGAIN,IT HAD ABSOLUTELY NO POWER STEERING AND IT TOOK ALL OF MY STRENGTH TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THAT HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN EVERY TIME I DRIVE NOW,AND RECENTLY IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL IS ALWAYS LOCKED WITH NO POWER STEERING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING AND THE WHOLE STEERING COLOUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT IS A VERY BIG JOB. I AM STILL AWAITING MY QUOTE TO SEE EXACTLY HOW MUCH IT WILL COST ME.I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR ONLY 7 MONTHS AND IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THE 2008 FORD ESCAPES. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED,THEY CAN RECALL THINGS LIKE A POWER WINDOW FOR LOCKING UP AND NOT BEING ABLE TO GO UP OR DOWN,BUT NOT THIS. THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND POSSIBLY DEATH. THIS IS THE ONLY CAR I HAVE AND I RELY ON IT HEAVILY. IT IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BY FORD ALREADY. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DO THEY NEED BEFORE THIS PROBLEM IS ADDRESSED?? *TR
STARTED CAR AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN WHEEL TO FIND ABSOLUTELY NO POWER STEERING, WAS ABLE TO GET CAR TO REPAIR SHOP. ONCE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED, POWER STEERING WORKED PERFECTLY, THEN ONCE DRIVING IT INTERMITTENTLY WOULD STOP WORKING CAUSING SEVERELY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. NO WARNING LIGHTS ON VEHICLE REGARDING POWER STEERING CONTROL ISSUES WERE EVER DISPLAYED. DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE AT FORD DEALERSHIP SHOWS ERROR WITH THE SENSOR IN STEERING COLUMN, WHICH REQUIRES A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF STEERING COLUMN. FORD ONLINE FORUM LIST HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THAT EXACT SAME ISSUE, SIMILAR MILEAGE ON VEHICLE. CAR IS SCHEDULED TO BE REPAIRED BY FORD DEALERSHIP, UNABLE TO DRIVE UNTIL REPAIRED DO TO SPORADIC LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *TR
TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE, IT THEN BECAME HARD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT POSITION SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000. RK
I BOUGHT MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE USED IN NOVEMBER 2013. IN DECEMBER 2013 THE GAS PEDAL STARTED STICKING EACH TIME I WENT TO ACCELERATE. IT GETS STUCK "UP", MEANING I HAVE TO POUND MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL IN ORDER FOR IT TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. MY FORD IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND THIS MAKES IT NOT ONLY DANGEROUS ON THE ROAD BUT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO NOT STALL OUT ALL THE TIME. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE OF NO HELP. SAID CAR WAS USED AND IT IS WHAT IT IS. IT IS NOW MAY 2014 AND IT MY FAMILY AND I CAN HARDLY GET ANYWHERE. CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS. TOOK CAR TO MIDAS FOR A TUNE UP AND AN ESTIMATE. MIDAS STATED MY CAR NEEDS A BRAND NEW THROTTLE UNIT, THROTTLE CABLE AND A 3 PART FUEL KIT. THIS WILL COST ROUGHLY $1000.00 MIDAS STATED. WE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CHILDREN AROUND AND COME TO FIND OUT THAT FORD EXTENDED A WARRANTY FOR FORD ESCAPES 2009-2012 FOR THIS SAME EXACT FUEL KIT AND THROTTLE ISSUES. 2008 FORD ESCAPES ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE FOR MANY CONSUMERS. PLEASE HELP ME. MY FAMILY AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET THIS REPAIRED AND MY 6 AND 8 YEAR OLD (AND MY FIANC) CAN'T BE DRIVEN AROUND IN THIS CAR. MY OWN SAFETY IS ONE THING AND I WILL ENSURE I GET TO WORK EVERYDAY, BUT SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT IF THIS IS WARRANTY ISN'T EXTENDED OR RECALLED FOR FORD 2008 ESCAPES AS WELL. I HAVE ALL MIDAS SERVICE PAPERWORK AND DOCUMENTATION IF NEEDED. PLEASE HELP US. WE ARE IN DANGER EACH TIME I DRIVE THIS CAR AND WE NEED A CAR TO DRIVE. THANK YOU-CINCINNATI, OHIO/ MAY 2014. *TR
MY WIFE WAS TURNING TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. SHE HAD TO RESTART THE ENGINE TO GET IT WORKING AGAIN. *TR
THROTTLE BODY FAILURE; ACCELERATION ISSUES. *TR
STARTED VEHICLE AND BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY WHEN I NOTICED THE POWER STEERING WASN'T WORKING. TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND UPON RE-STARTING, POWER STEERING BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. *TR
WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY THE POWER STEERING FAILED, PLACED THE ESCAPE BACK IN THE DRIVEWAY. WILL CALL THE FORD DEALER ON MONDAY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL RETURNED TO NORMAL FUNCTION WITHOUT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
I PURCHASED MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE AT 71,000 MILES, NOW AT 122,000 MILES MY STEERING APPEARS TO BE LOCKING UP. OR LOSING POWER STEERING. WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK IDLING, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL MOVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE ON ITS OWN MAKING NOISE THAT SOUNDS AS IF IT IS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, AND STEERING LOCKS UP. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I CALLED FORD AND THEY HAVE YET TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. AS MANY COMPLAINTS THEY HAVE OUT THERE WITH THIS ISSUE, YOU THINK THEY WOULD TAKE THIS INTO CONSIDERATION AND THE SAFETY CONCERNS FOR THIS. *TR
PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL MY 2008 ESCAPE (NOT HYBRID) 2.3L XLT BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WHERE I WOULD GET A STICKY GAS PEDAL. IT WOULD SOMETIMES TAKE SOME JIGGLING TO GET THE GAS PEDAL TO DEPRESS SO THAT I COULD ACCELERATE. I CLEANED OUT THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED FOR ABOUT A MONTH. WE RECENTLY HAD SOME COLD WEATHER IN THE 10 - 30 DEGREE RANGE IN WHICH MY GAS PEDAL STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN. IT GOT SO BAD TO WHERE I COULD NOT DEPRESS THE GAS PETAL INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WOULD DEPRESS MY CAR WOULD JOLT FORWARD LIKE TOO MUCH GAS WAS APPLIED. THE ISSUE SEEMED TO DISSIPATE IF I LET THE CAR WARM UP FOR 30 MINUTES BEFORE DRIVING. I PURCHASED A NEW THROTTLE BODY FROM COURTESY FORD FOR $278.00 INSTALLATION WAS QUOTED AS $386.00. I OPTED TO HAVE MY BROTHER INSTALL IT FOR ME. IT HAS BEEN 10 DAYS SINCE INSTALLATION AND THE ISSUE SEEMS TO BE RESOLVED. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ISSUES SINCE REPLACING THE THROTTLE BODY BUT I STILL DO NOT TRUST THE CAR. I HESITATE TO TAKE MY FAMILY IN THE CAR AND AM THINKING ABOUT GETTING RID OF IT FOR SOMETHING ELSE. THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY FORD BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN MY FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 2008 SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED (INDICATOR WITH A TRIANGLE SHAPE AND AN ADMIRATION SIGN INSIDE). THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" SIGN WAS DISPLAYED AT THE SAME TIME. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE ANYMORE, THUS LOSING FULL CONTROL OF THE CAR. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER, TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND TURNED ENGINE BACK ON. THE PROBLEM REPEATED FIVE TIMES. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. WHILE DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE RELATED TO THE COOLANT PUMP SYSTEM. FORD, PLEASE RECALL THE MODELS IMPACTED AND FIX THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE PEOPLE GET KILLED. *TR
HELP! I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2008 FORD ESCAPE AND HAVE A PRETTY GOOD RECORD OF MAINTENANCE. A WEEK AGO, I NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKING. I HAVE TO RESTART SO MANY TIMES BEFORE I CAN MOVE IT. TWO DAYS AGO, I WAS EXITING FROM THE FREEWAY AND AS I TURNED, THE WHEEL LOCKED AND ALMOST CRASHED, STRAIGHT HEAD ON TO THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THAT WAS FRIGHTENING! I CHECKED ONLINE AND SURPRISED TO FIND THOUSAND OF COMPLAINS ABOUT THE SAME INCIDENT FOR 2008 MODEL AND UP. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM AND FORD SHOULD HAVE UPDATE THE WAY HOW THEY MAKE THE ELECTRICAL SENSOR/POWER STEERING WHEEL THAT IS CAUSING THIS AND SHOULD NOT BE STUCK TO PAY $2,000 JUST TO HAVE THIS PARTS FIXED. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS REALLY HURT AND CAUSE DEATH. *TR
MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXHIBITING ISSUES RELATING TO THE FORD CONSUMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 13N03 WHERE THE ACCELERATOR "STICKS" OR DOESN'T RESPOND TO MY PRESSURE. REQUIRING MORE PRESSURE THEN USUAL, THE VEHICLE WILL THEN SURGE FORWARD FOR AN INCREDIBLY JOSTLING ACCELERATION. THIS ISSUE WILL HAPPEN NOT ONLY WHEN STOPPED BUT ALSO WHEN IN MOTION. THIS BECOMES PARTICULARLY PROBLEMATIC WHEN TRYING TO MERGE OR TURN INTO MOVING TRAFFIC AS I AM NEVER SURE WHETHER OR NOT MY ACCELERATOR/ THROTTLE BODY WILL RESPOND AS IT SHOULD. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE FOR OVER 2 YEARS, BUT THE ISSUE IS INTERMITTENT. THE ISSUE BECOMES WORSE IN COLD WEATHER, MAKING IT EVEN MORE DANGEROUS WHEN ROAD CONDITIONS ARE SLIPPERY. I CONTACTED FORD REGARDING THIS ISSUE, CITING THE ABOVE MENTIONED CONSUMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM, BUT I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM AND THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED. IT SEEMS LUDICROUS THAT MY VEHICLE, WHICH HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS HAVING THIS ISSUE, WOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM. FORD SHOULD REEVALUATE THE VEHICLES THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THIS PROGRAM, BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS OBVIOUSLY MORE WIDE-SPREAD THAN THERE PROGRAM HAS IDENTIFIED. I AM INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTED IN THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEIR NON-RESPONSIVENESS IN HANDLING THIS ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWES A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MANEUVER IN ANY DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN MY FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 2008 SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED (INDICATOR WITH A TRIANGLE SHAPE AND AN ADMIRATION SIGN INSIDE). THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" SIGN WAS DISPLAYED AT THE SAME TIME. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE ANYMORE, THUS LOSING FULL CONTROL OF THE CAR. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER, TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND TURNED ENGINE BACK ON. ONCE I TURN THE CAR OFF, IT WILL DRIVE AND THEN REPEAT. INITIALLY IT ONLY HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY BUT NOW IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AT REGULAR SPEEDS (25MPH). THE FIRST DEALER I TOOK IT TO TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLANT PUMP, I DID STILL THE SAME PROBLEM; I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER WHO SAID I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FILTER TO THE COOLANT PUMP, I DID STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. TODAY I WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS BAD SO I REPLACED THIS, STILL THE SAME PROBLEM!!!! THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH NOSOLUTION. FORD, PLEASE RECALL THE MODELS IMPACTED AND FIX THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE PEOPLE GET KILLED. *TR
I WAS TRYING TO GO FROM STOPPING TO ACCELERATING. I TRIED TO PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL, BUT THE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO THIS EVENT, BUT NEVER ON THE ON RAMP TO A HIGHWAY. IT IS A DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR FAILED TO RESPOND TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY DECELERATED WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
BOTH OF THE HINGES ON THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS WERE CRACKED AND SPLITTING. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID THAT THIS COULD ALLOW THE REAR GLASS TO FALL OFF IN TRAFFIC CAUSING BOTH DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK AND TO OTHER MOTORIST. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AS AN INFERIOR PART FOR FORD TO BE USING ON THEIR VEHICLES. *TR
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND LOSS POWER STEERING, LUCKILY I WAS ONLY GOING 45 MILES PER HOUR AND WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. SURPRISED TO SEE SO MANY COMPLAINTS AND FORD NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS. THIS WILL BE THE LAST FORD OUR FAMILY WILL OWN. HOW IN THE WORLD CAN THEY SAY THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE IS UNBELIEVABLE. WHAT WILL IT TAKE A FATALITY TO GET FORDS ATTENTION? *TR
THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS APPROXIMATELY 5 MONTHS AGO (EST. 132K MILES) WHILE DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC, I SWERVED AND BRAKE QUICKLY TO AVOID A ROAD HAZARD (LARGE POTHOLE) ESTIMATED SPEED WAS UNDER 20 MPH. THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN IN ELECTRIC (HYBRID) MODE AND WAS ABLE TO MUSCLE IT OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. RESTARTING THE ENGINE RESOLVED THE ISSUE AND THE CAR HAS BEEN FINE UNTIL TWO WEEKS AGO. THE SECOND TIME WAS IN LATE NOVEMBER, MILEAGE 135K, WAS SLOWLY TURNING INTO A TRAFFIC CIRCLE AT APPROX. 10 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING POWER STEERING FAILED THE SAME AS THE PREVIOUS TIME. I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND RESTART THE CAR WHICH RESTORED THE POWER STEERING. AFTER THE SECOND EXPERIENCE I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND AM SEEING THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND HAS BEEN REPORTED TO YOUR AGENCY (THREE DIFFERENT WEB SITES WITH MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS). I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A RECALL HAS NOT REQUIRED - SOMEONE WILL GET HURT IF THIS HAPPENS AT HIGHWAY SPEED TO AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER. I HAVE WORKED AS A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC AND HAVE A DECENT COMPREHENSION OF VEHICLE SYSTEMS (1974 - 1995), MY COMMENTS ARE BASED ON YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. I HAVE NOT VERIFIED THIS, BUT ONE OF THE WEB POSTS STATES THAT TOYOTA EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE AND DID A RECALL. HTTP://WWW.ESCAPE-CITY.COM/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?F=38&T=21918&P=316290&HILIT=STEERING+FAILURE#P316290 HTTP://WWW.GREENHYBRID.COM/DISCUSS/F26/LOSS-POWER-LEFT-TURN-29211/ HTTP://WWW.HYBRIDCARS.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?100317-POWER-STEERING-FAILURE/PAGE5 I WILL APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS SO THAT FORD WILL TAKE STEPS TO RECTIFY THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE WE PURCHASED IT NEW IN 2008. I PLAN TO REPORT THIS TO MY SENATOR, AND STATE OFFICIALS. PLEASE ADVISE THE BEST WAY TO MOVE FORWARD. *TR
WHEN GOING FROM A COMPLETE STOP TO ACCELERATING THE THROTTLE STICKS AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE! THIS HAS HAPPEN MANY TIMES BEFORE AND HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A DAY! *TR
IT FIRST HAPPENED WHEN YOU STARTED THE VEHICLE , NO POWER STEERING !!!!! SHUT IT OFF ,, RESTART IT AND YOU HAD POWER STEERING AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED AROUND 20 MORE TIMES IN THE NEXT MONTH . THEN THE POWER STEERING WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IT , REGARDLESS OF SPEED . IT WAS WORST THAN HAVING OLD STANDARD STEERING . AS LONG AS YOU WERE ROLLING YOU COULD STEER IT , BUT WHEN YOU STOPPED IT TOOK BOTH HANDS TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WAS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS . MY WIFE DRIVES THIS VEHICLE TO WORK MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY . SHE HAS BEEN SCARED TO DRIVE IT NOT KNOWING WHAT MIGHT TAKE PLACE WHEN THE STEERING GOES COMPLETELY OUT. WELL IT FINALLY WENT OUT TODAY !!!!!!!! DON"T KNOW WHAT IT"S GOING TO COST ? I THINK FORD SHOULD HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM . IT A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM . THANK YOU *TR
ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON HEARD A BEEP AND HAD NO BRAKES WHAT SO EVER . I EVENTUALLY STOPPED BY ENTERING THE CAR IN TO NEUTRAL AND HITTING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WHEN I TURNED ON AGAIN IT WENT AWAY, MY MECHANIC SAYS ITS GOING TO COST $1200 MASTER CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I THINK FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THE PARTS RELATED WITH THIS ISSUE SINCE IT'S SAFETY RELATED. *TR
I STARTED MY ESCAPE ON DAY AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP, I COULD NOT TURN IT, SO I TURNED THE TRUCK OFF AND STARTED IT BACK UP AND IT WAS WORKING. IT HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES, SOMETIMES IT TAKES QUITE A FEW TIME OF TURNING IT OFF AND ON TO RESET IT. I HAVE NOT HAD ISSUES WITH IT LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING, BUT I AM WORRIED ABOUT IT, SO HAVE NOT BEEN DRIVING IT. WHILE IN THE PARK POSITION THE STEERING WHEEL DOES SHIMMY A LITTLE AND MAKES A NOISE. *TR
DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE RED EXCLAMATION INSIDE TRIANGLE ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE CUT OFF. HAD TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. REPAIRED AT FORD DEALER ON 4/3/14 RIVERTOWN FORD IN COLUMBUS GA. RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 14S19/ NHTSA 14V-526 AND THEY KEEP GIVING ME RUN AROUND ON RETURNING MY MONEY. *TR
MY FORD ESCAPE IS RUSTING OUT AROUND THE REAR WHEEL WELL ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE AS WELL AS AT THE WELDED SEAMS ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOORS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AS THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT CHEAP AND I EVEN PAID EXTRA OR THE RUST PROOFING AND UNDERCOAT BEFORE THE VEHICLE EVER EVEN LEFT THE DEALER PARKING LOT. I DON'T THINK A GOOD QUALITY, WELL MADE VEHICLE WOULD BE RUSTING OUT IN SUCH A SHORT TIME. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A FORD CUSTOMER AND TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLE AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS QUALITY. *TR
MY WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON, FEELS LIKE I HAVE NO POWER. IT WILL ONLY GO ABOUT 20 MPH, RPM'S GO HIGH AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL KICK IN AND START DRIVING NORMAL. *TR
WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY VEHICLE TO JOHN BLEAKLEY FORD FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING WHILE GOING UPHILL AND SOMETIMES WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 20. THEN WHEN DRIVING IN THE CITY THE VEHICLE WOULD SOMETIMES JERK. THIS IS A VERY NERVOUS FEELING!!! I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A FACTORY PROBLEM & TOLD TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MGR TO CONTACT THEM IN JANUARY AFTER HE CONTACTS FORD. I CALLED AND EMAILED OFTEN AD IT IS A NERVOUS FEELING TO DRIVE A CAR LIKE THIS. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO FOLLOW UP WITH THE SERVICE MGR WHO AVOIDED ME UNTIL MAY 2014, AND HE ONLY SPOKE TO ME AFTER I CONTACTED MR BLEAKLEY! I HAVE QUOTED PRICES FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AND A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE. I AM STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN FORD CUSTOMERS DO NOT FIND THE MONEY TO MAKE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. THE MILEAGE IS TOO LOW TO NEED A TRANSMISSION. ALSO I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR GOOD. THIS IS DANGEROUS & UNBELIEVABLE!!! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V284000 (STEERING), HOWEVER HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. UPDATED 10/22/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE BEING REPAIRED. UPDATED 4/1/2015 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT, AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED TIBIA AND A BLOOD TRAUMA TO THE FACE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 4/13/15*CN UPDATED 11/12/2015*JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL INDEPENDENTLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER LEGS, BACK, NECK AND FACE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. 4/15/15*CN UPDATED 9/21/2017*CN
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS OR EPAS) FAILED. THE CAR INSTANTLY LOST ALL ABILITY FOR POWER STEERING, WITHOUT ALERTING THE DRIVER. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, AND MAY FAIL AT ANY TIME. THE EPAS CAN SOMETIMES BE RE-INSTITUTED BY STOPPING THE CAR (IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AT TIMES, OR FREEWAY), TURNING OFF THE CAR COMPLETELY ... WAITING 10 SECONDS, AND RESTARTING THE CAR. BUT THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN AT ANY TIME WITHIN THE SAME DRIVING INCIDENT. THE EPAS CONTINUES TO FAIL AT INOPPORTUNE TIMES, WITHOUT ALERTING THE DRIVER UNTIL FAILURE HAS OCCURED. *TR
WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT TURN. DEALERSHIP HAS CONFIRMED MANY SIMILAR OCCURRENCES HAVE OCCURRED YET WILL NOT FIX THE KNOW PROBLEM AS A RECALL. ONE DAY SOON THIS WILL BE MAJOR ACCIDENT WHICH COULD HAVE FATAL OUTCOME. MY DAUGHTER IS A MOTHER OF ONE AND ANOTHER DUE EARLY NEXT YEAR, SUCH AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE MAJOR INJURIES OR WORTH. THIS NEEDS ATTENTION EVEN MORE THAN THE HEALTH CARE PLAN WHICH WOULD HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE INJURIES WHICH COULD OCCUR. *TR
JUST STARTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN FROM A STOP SIGN. STEERING SEEMED TO BE LOCKED UP, VERY HARD TO MOVE WHEEL. CAR ALMOST WENT OFF ROAD AS IT WAS A T INTERSECTION. SPEED ON CROSS ROAD IS 40 MPH AND LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO BACK UP PRIOR TO BEING HIT. ONCE THE CAR WAS BACK BEHIND STOP SIGN THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND STEERING STARTED FUNCTIONING AGAIN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE STEERING WENT OUT. THE FIRST TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO, SPEED APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN INTO SCHOOL PARKING LOT TO DROP OFF CHILDREN. I WAS ABLE TO GET CAR TO CURB AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR IDIOT LIGHT PRIOR TO STEERING GOING OUT ON EITHER TIME. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MAKE. I AM SURPRISED NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. THERE ARE QUITE A LARGE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS RECORDED ONLINE OF THIS VERY PROBLEM. NOT MUCH WORD FROM FORD THOUGH... *TR
I PLACED A MESSAGE ON THE NHTSA DATABASE ON 11/04/13 CONCERNING THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE. I CALLED THE FORD CORPORATE CENTER AT 800/392-3673 - THE FORD CENTER STATED THAT BY CALLING THEIR NUMBER THEY WILL HAVE A RECORD OF THE PROBLEM AND THE MORE PEOPLE THAT CALL THE CENTER IS HOW THE RECALLS ARE INITIATED AND NOT BY SIMPLY USING THE NHTSA DATABASE. IF YOU ARE HAVING POWER STEERING ISSUES WITH YOUR FORD ESCAPE, PLEASE CALL THE FORD CORPORATE CENTER AND GET YOU NAME ON THE LIST AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN HAVE THIS VEHICLE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS TERRIBLY HURT. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 595 SPEED OF 65 MPH THE CAR JUST LOST POWER CAUSING TO REDUCE SPEED FAST WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. HAD TO MOVE FROM THE FAR LEFT LANE TO THE RIGHT LANE ON RUSH HOUR ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING TO PARKING LOT AT LOCAL STORE AND THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKINGSO I STOPPED IN A SAFE AREA TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF TO LOOK UNDER THE HOOD DID NOT FIND ANYTHING STARTED THE VEHICLE BACK UP PROBLEM WENT AWAY THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN AT HOME UPON STARTUP NO POWER STEERING TURN VEHICLE BACK OFF HAS TO DO THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES THEN PROBLEM WENT AWAY.NOW THIS PROBLEM IS MORE CONSTANT OF NO POWER STEERING AND NOW THE STEERING WHEEL SITS AND CHATTERS BACK AND FORTH AT IDLE AND DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SHIP AND TALKED TO THE GUYS IN THE PARTS DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND FORD CAN GET IT FIGURED OUT AS TO WHAT THERE GOING TO DO THEY SAID AS OF RIGHT NOW THEY CAN'T ORDER ANY POWER ASSIST COLUMNS RIGHT YET SO I GUESS FORD IS DRAGGING THERE FEET ON THIS ONE I GUESS UNTIL SOMEONE DIES MAYBE ALL THE FORD CEO'S NEED GET INTO ONE OF THEY PROBLEM VEHICLES AND DRIVE FOR AWHILE AND SEE WHAT ALL OF US ARE TALKING ABOUT?? *TR
3 YEARS AGO MY RADIO NO LONGER LIGHTS UP, THE HEAT & AC ONLY WORKS ON HIGH AND INSIDE LIGHTS DON'T WORK. THEN IN 2013 REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING WITH 86,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE NOW IN 2015 THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT ON THE VEHICLE AND THIS WAS RECALLED IN 2014 AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD HAVE COVERED IT IF IT WAS WITHIN 12 MONTHS. IT WAS A WEEK AND HALF OVER THAT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
I PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT WOULD STALL AND THEN PUNCH IN AND TAKE OFF. THEN I WOULD PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND THE SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN. IT WAS KIND OF SCARY. IF SOMEONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME I COULD HAVE HIT THEM. THAT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AND FINALLY IT WOULDN'T MOVE AT ALL. MY TRANSMISSION JUST QUIT ON ME. WITH ONLY 66,000 MILES ON IT AND I STILL OWE $15,600 ON IT NOW AS A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO I HAVE TO TRY TO COME UP WITH $3700 TO FIX THIS????? THIS VEHICLE JUST GOT BROKEN IN WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT. I'M SO UPSET. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN AND AFTER DOING RESEARCH IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WITH THIS VEHICLE! WHERE IS THE RECALL ON IT? I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION COOLER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WRENCH WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SECOND AND FOURTH GEARS MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2008 FORD ESCAPE THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. LUCKILY, SHE WAS NOT GOING THAT FAST SO SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND STOP. SHE SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING. THE SAME THING HAPPENED A SECOND TIME ABOUT TWO TO THREE WEEKS LATER. WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO OUR MECHANIC AND HE DID SOME RESEARCH AND WAS ABLE TO LOCATE HUNDREDS OF 08 ESCAPE OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR
MY STEERING COLUMN WOULD SHAKE WHILE I WAS AT A STOP AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS I HAVE LOST THE ELECTRICAL STEERING (POWER STEERING). I NOW HAVE NO ELECTRICAL ASSIST FOR THE STEERING AND HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
SUNDAY OCTOBER 20TH, 2013. WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED. THIS WAS LIKE TRYING TO DRIVE A TANK. WHEN I GOT TO A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED THE CAR. THE STEERING WORKED OK AT THAT TIME. I TOOK MY CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE STEERING CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THE ONLY PACE TO GET THIS FIXED WAS AT A FORD DEALER AND THAT THIS TYPE FAILURE ON THE 2008 ESCAPE WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. LOOKING ON LINE I CONFIRMED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS VERY FREQUENT WITH THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE AND COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED TO ME ON A QUITE SUNDAY MORNING WHEN THERE WAS LITTLE TRAFFIC AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT ENDANGERING MYSELF OR OTHER DRIVERS. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH POTENTIAL PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR A LOSS OF LIFE ACCIDENT. I FEEL FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THE 2008 FORD ESCAPES EQUIPPED WITH THIS TYPE STEERING AND MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO PROTECT THE LIVES OF BOTH THE FORD DRIVERS AND OTHERS THAT MIGHT BE ENCOUNTERED ON THE ROAD SHOULD THE STEERING FAIL. *TR