NHTSA Complaint #11505264 — 2009 FORD ESCAPE

The electronic steering on our 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid stopped working. We responded to the 14S05 recall. Our dealer reprogrammed the system and that seemed to work, however the problem is not with the program, the issue as shared with us by the Ford dealer is with The torque sensor or the electronic steering switches that are affixed to the steering column. The repair per the dealer is to replace the steering column. The software was not the issue, the Ford components are the issue. The recall letter states that "...the dealer may need to replace the torque sensor or the steering column. This service will be performed free of charge (parts and labor). But now Ford will not authorize the repair since the it was 'fixed' previously with software. A correction that ultimately failed. Ford's customer service is unwilling to acknowledge this reoccurring issue as shown by the complaints here. From Ford's perspective they believe the dealer is at fault for not undertakign the proper correction, when the dealer was first advised to address the problem with software. I.e. the cheaper solution. Ford has a know component failure issue that it is refusing to address.