Ford Recalls 740,878 Units Of Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner CUVs Over Potential Power Steering Flaw

Ford Motor Company is recalling 740,878 units of the (last-generation) Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner produced between 2008 and 2011. The affected units have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input, resulting in the loss of the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.

The problem: if the steering torque sensor improperly detects driver steering input, the vehicle’s Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist will be disabled. If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

The solution: Ford will notify owners of affected vehicles, and dealers will update the vehicle’s software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge.

If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin by July 25^th, 2014.

Contacts: owners may contact Ford customer service or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline.