2008 Ford Escape steering problems
1,127 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the steering on the 2008 Ford Escape — 57% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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.”
filed Aug 12, 2026
“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…”
filed Apr 30, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect…Campaign 14V284000 · May 29, 2014
Related service bulletins
Ford 2008-2012 escape/mariner: bulletin information regarding steering control module with dtc b2278, not required to have steering column replaced. *lj
45006 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 20152008-2012 ford escape/mariner: service information involving the power steering control module with dtc b2278- steering column replacement is not required. *lj
44986 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 2015
Steering problems in other Escape years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Escape | 1 | 4% |
| 2022 Escape | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 Escape | 4 | 1% |
| 2020 Escape | 18 | 1% |
| 2019 Escape | 16 | 3% |
| 2018 Escape | 32 | 2% |
| 2017 Escape | 49 | 2% |
| 2016 Escape | 73 | 7% |
| 2015 Escape | 81 | 7% |
| 2014 Escape | 151 | 7% |
| 2013 Escape | 302 | 11% |
| 2012 Escape | 137 | 23% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2008 Ford Escape
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.