NHTSA Complaint #10432177 — 2008 FORD ESCAPE

WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2008 FORD ESCAPE WITH 70K MILES, THE STEERING SUDDENLY LOCKED UP. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS RARE, BUT I HAVE FOUND DOZENS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING (EPS) MODULE HAS FAILED. FORD HAD MODIFIED THIS MODULE 8 TIMES SINCE 2008 WHEN IT WAS FIRST USED. THE REPAIR ESTIMATE IS $1300. FORD IS UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE REASON THE PROBLEM IS RARE IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT APPEARS TO HAPPEN AROUND 45K MILES OR ABOVE. MOST 2008 MODEL CARS ARE JUST NOW COMING INTO THAT MILEAGE. THIS IS A LIFE AND DEATH DEFECT AS THE DRIVER LOSES CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I HAPPEN TO BE IN THE FIELD OF BROADCAST. I INTENT TO LAUNCH A NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN TO ALERT 2008 ESCAPE OWNERS OF THE TICKING TIMEBOMB THEY ARE DRIVING AND TO DETERMINE HOW MANY FAILURES HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED. IF YOU OWN A 2008 FORD ESCAPE, PLEASE BE AWARE THAT YOU ARE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE. FIRST INDICATION MAY BE A SLIGHT VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. AT THIS POINT, FAILURE IS IMMINENT. *TR