Owners report electric power steering failures that strike without warning, sometimes at highway speeds. The steering wheel goes stiff, loses assist, locks up, or pulls itself involuntarily. In many cases, restarting the vehicle restores function temporarily, but failures recur. Some owners describe the wheel becoming so hard to turn that even maximum force barely budges it—a genuinely unsafe condition on a busy road or during a turn.
The 2014 recall (14V-284 / 14S05) was supposed to fix this. Dealers reprogrammed the power steering control module and installed a warning chime—but they did not replace the faulty torque sensor. Owners now report the exact same failures happening again, and Ford refuses to cover the repair because the recall was already "satisfied." The manufacturer claims the vehicle reverts to manual steering when the power assist dies, but owners say that's false: the unassisted steering wheel is much harder to turn than a genuine manual steering system, making the vehicle genuinely dangerous to drive.
The defect appears in Escapes built at Kansas City between 2006 and 2010, but some owners report identical failures in vehicles mysteriously excluded from the recall database. Repair shops and independent mechanics confirm the torque sensor is the culprit, yet owners cannot get Ford to replace it at no cost once the software-only recall has been closed out. Costs to fix are substantial—$700 to $2,000-plus—and some owners have been stranded unable to afford the repair.
Failure modes owners describe
Steering angle sensor failure—sudden wheel pull and lock
Steering angle sensor malfunction causing the steering wheel and front tires to turn themselves, especially to the left, when the engine is running. Owners report the wheel pulling to extreme positions involuntarily, requiring substantial manual force to redirect the vehicle. One owner reproduced the failure multiple times and confirmed it occurred only when the engine was engaged.
When: Sudden onset, no prior warning signs; one case occurred after purchase of used vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel turns itself involuntarily to left when engine running; Extremely stiff steering requiring excessive manual force; Front tires turn without driver input; Steering wheel locks or becomes immovable; No dash warning lights prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic replaced steering angle sensor and reprogrammed the part. Component still available for inspection in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner contacted dealership and manufacturer; prior owner had mentioned steering issue in classified ad but details were vague
Power steering control module (PSCM) fault—loss of electric assist
Electric power steering assist fails suddenly, rendering the steering wheel extremely difficult or impossible to turn. Owners report loss of power steering at various speeds and driving conditions, sometimes with warning lights, sometimes without. Many failures occur while turning or during maneuvers. The module may intermittently restore function after restart or stop, or may fail permanently.
When: Occurs at low speeds (10–25 mph), highway speeds (45–70 mph), during turns, and even while parked/idling. Some owners report intermittent failures over months; others sudden complete loss.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist disappears or becomes intermittent; Steering wheel becomes stiff and difficult to turn; Power steering assist fault message on dashboard; Alarm or beeping sound sometimes present; Vehicle may require restart to restore steering; Excessive manual force needed to steer; No warning before failure in many cases
Codes mentioned: B2278, Power steering assist fault
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite replacement costs of $700–$2,000+. Parts replaced include power steering control module, steering column assembly, torque sensor, and power steering assist motor. Some dealers only reprogrammed software during recall (2014) without replacing parts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2014 NHTSA Recall 14V-284 / Ford Recall 14S05 issued for certain 2008–2011 Kansas City-built Escapes. Initial recall remedy was software update to PSCM and warning chime installation (not parts replacement). Owners report Ford later refusing to honor repairs when same failures recur, claiming recall was 'satisfied' by software update. Extended warranty of 10 years/150,000 miles mentioned in some narratives but disputed by owners driving higher mileage.
Steering shaft torque sensor failure
Defective torque sensor in steering column causes power steering control module to lose steering input signal, triggering EPS shutdown. Sensor fails intermittently or permanently, leaving owners unable to determine driver intent. Multiple owners report that even after 2014 recall software update, the faulty original sensor continues to fail.
When: At 70,000–182,000 miles; some early onset, others late-life failures. One owner reported failure at 11,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist fault warning appears; Steering wheel becomes very difficult to maneuver; Sensor alarm sounding intermittently; Steering wheel shakes or vibrates; Loss of electric power steering assistance
Codes mentioned: B2278 (torque sensor code)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report the faulty torque sensor (part #CL8Z*3F818*A cited) requires replacement, not software reprogramming. Replacement cost $700–$2,000+. During 2014 recall, most dealers only reprogrammed the PSCM without replacing the defective sensor itself, leaving the faulty part in the vehicle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14S05 (2014) called for software update and warning chime. Owners dispute that this addresses the root cause—the defective torque sensor. Ford refuses to re-open recall or fund repairs after software was applied, even when the original sensor fails again. Owners note Ford acknowledged the sensors are known to be faulty but claims further warranty coverage is not warranted.
Steering wheel lock-up and seizure
Steering wheel becomes completely immobilized or extremely difficult to turn, sometimes while driving at highway speeds. Owners report the wheel feeling as if it is locked, 'yanked' to one side, or seized, making it nearly impossible to steer even with maximum force. Some owners report the wheel remains locked even after engine restart.
When: Sudden onset while driving at 40–70 mph, during turns (left and right), or immediately after engine start. One case resulted in vehicle off-road (ditch/embankment).
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel completely locked or immovable; Steering wheel jerks or yanks to one direction; Excessive manual force cannot move wheel; Abnormal knocking or noise from steering area; No power steering assist available
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnostics indicate steering column assembly or power steering module failure. Repairs include steering column replacement. Costs cited: $1,200–$4,000+. One owner involved in crash (vehicle totaled after steering wheel yanked right, causing loss of control in ditch).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some vehicles checked against recall database and found not to be included in Recall 14S05, even though they display the exact failure mode. Owners claim they meet all criteria (Kansas City plant, build date, model year) but VINs mysteriously excluded.
Intermittent electrical fault causing power steering restart requirement
Power steering intermittently fails and requires vehicle restart to restore function. Owners report the steering assist fails briefly mid-turn or while driving, then returns after shutting down and restarting the engine. This occurs sporadically over extended driving periods.
When: Intermittent; occurs on multiple occasions over weeks or months, sometimes multiple times in a single day of driving
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist fails intermittently; Steering becomes extremely difficult to turn; Steering assist restores after vehicle restart; Power steering assist fault warning may or may not appear; Alarm or beeping may accompany failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to reproduce failure during diagnostic visits. Owners report costs $700–$1,400+ for motor or control module replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers state they cannot diagnose intermittent failures if the vehicle does not exhibit the problem during inspection. Some refer to 2014 recall but note VIN not included or claim recall was 'satisfied' by prior software update.
Ignition lock mechanism failure causing unintended engine shutdown and power steering loss
Steering wheel movement or even gentle hand contact with the ignition key can trigger unintended engine shutdown and loss of power steering. Owner reports engine died multiple times when turning the steering wheel while hand was near ignition key. After extensive troubleshooting, dealer replaced lock housing at owner's cost.
When: At 100,000+ miles; recurring intermittent failures over months
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off unexpectedly when steering wheel is turned; Power steering suddenly lost; Engine dies when hand brushes ignition key during steering; Vehicle difficult to restart after shutdown; No warning lights prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Ford dealership replaced lock housing and related components. Owner paid $618 for repair (1-7-2020). Problem did not recur after repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner speculates that Ford Recall 14V-284 may have been misidentified as torque sensor issue when the real problem is this ignition lock defect. Ford does not acknowledge connection. Owner mentions recall was for 'electric power steering system fault & loss of power steering.'
Synthesized from 440 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.