My concern about this system is the lack of control if the electronic motor of the EPAS fails, which it did in my case.

In a conventional hydraulic system, the point of failure is usually a lose of hydraulic pressure from a leaking hose, etc. If hydraulic pressure is lost, then the system essentially reverts to a non powered rack and pinion steering system. This failure still allows the car to be steered in a safe manner, but with higher driver effort required to operate the system like a non powered rack and pinion.

In the EPAS system, the common point of failure is apparently a faulty electronic motor. This failure also reverts to a non powered rack and pinion steering system, but the steering effort required by the driver is compounded by the fact that the electronic motor in the rack creates an extra amount of drag that the driver must overcome to safely steer the vehicle.

Non functioning (or non powered) electromagnetic motors can be extremely difficult to externally rotate based on the size and strength of the motor and magnets within it. Obviously the EPAS uses a motor strong enough to overcome the weight of the vehicle and friction of the tires when it is functioning, and provides enough holding power to stay at its intended rotation even when the car experiences outside forces such as potholes and G forces. A motor of this strength is probably very difficult to rotate externally.

When this motor fails, the external force required to rotate it is added to the rack and pinion system, compounding the effort required to steer the car. So not only is the driver fighting the weight of the vehicle and friction of the tires, but he also has to overpower the non functioning EPAS motor.

Auto makers are choosing to use an EPAS system instead of the time tested and reliable conventional hydraulic system to reduce drag on the engine.

My concern is that if new EPAS system is proving to be less reliable then a conventional hydraulic steering method, then an adequate EPAS bypass system should be integrated into the technology, such as a simple clutch or powered engagement monitored by fault sensors. I would gladly pay an extra $100 for this simple system to be engineered into the vehicle from the factory.

Google searches has shown me many specific EPAS failures that appear to me to be more common that the older conventional method. I dont have the data to prove that claim, but I wish i could find it. If it really is a more problematic system that also adds drag to a faulty system, then I feel it is the manufacturers responsibility to develop an override system to make up for it, before it causes deaths.

 

Wow...settle down!

You do realize that almost all car manufacturers are moving to, or have already switch over to electric power steering don't you?

Before my Mustang, I had a Chevy that had the power steering fail. I didn't go online and start insulting fellow forum members when people didn't shower me with sympathy. I just sucked it up and drove it to the dealer - they fixed it free and it was over. Nobody died. Nobody cried.

I guess I'd understand all this acrimony if Ford had refused to fix this, but they didn't. It's fixed right?

 

I havent offered any insult that wasnt already directed toward me first. And Im not looking for sympathy. My car is being fixed, free of charge under warranty, and (thankfully) no one got hurt.

I for one am not happy about the corporate environment that puts bottom line ahead of peoples lives.

GM is currently in a **** storm for this type of behavior, and accepted safety function failures by Ford (or whomever) is just another example of this type of thinking. It just seems obvious to me that failing EPAS systems falls under this category, and it ain't cool.

 

I wonder if these same arguments were heard when hydraulic power steering became mainstream...

As has been stated before, your failure wasn't something specific to an electric assist system. Failures can and have happened to hydraulic power steering, and certain failures can make the car undriveable. I've driven two separate Ford vehicles without the aid of the EPAS (motor/vehicle turned off), and have perceived no difference compared to driving a hydraulic assist vehicle in a similar manner.

In short, chill. It ain't the end of the world, and this is in no way a widespread problem, and given the information at hand this is not an EPAS specific issue; failure of comparable hydraulic assist systems would have netted the same result.

 

I joined this forum after seeing that there is a Ford rep active here. I found that while searching info about my problem.

If you need and intro, then here:

Hello, my name is Jeff. I live in Northern Illinois. I own a 2012 Mustang V6 and a 2002 Mustang GT as well as a 2004 F150 FX4, a 1999 Ranger Off-Road, motorcycles, atvs, other toys, etc.

 

Im chill. Im not a troll, and Im not here to stir anything up.

 

Now that you blew off some steam, I have a question. Since the EPAS is not serviceable, do you actually know what part of it broke? Do you know it was a motor, and not ceased mechanical components, or something else? Just curious.

 

Dealer received new rack Wednesday but was unable to complete repair, hope to have by Thursday.

 

You’re welcome, jefx! I’ll wait on your PM.

Deysha

 

Car still at dealer Hopefully have back Friday. How hard is it to change the rack?

 

A day tops... the delay is getting parts in. Sometimes they want a pressure test first so warranty pays - which may or may not require other parts/adapters (a Chrysler issue I experienced).


Ford to Recall 1.4M SUVs Over Power Steering Issue

Ford said it will recall 195,527 Explorer SUVs in North America from the 2011 to 2013 model years and 915,216 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner SUVs from model years 2008 to 2011 on power steering issues.
Published May 29, 2014
http://www.foxbusiness.com/industrie...teering-issue/

 

What?

Someone needs to tell Mullaly to chill. Hes getting bent out of shape.... i guess he didnt get the memo that "**** happens"

 

My car is also still at the dealer. Been there since Monday. They told me that they had to order the part out of Detroit... im sure this recall has something to do with the delay. I wonder if my new rack will be a revised unit?

 

No idea. Dealer said that Ford told them just to replace the whole rack. The system would still turn from lock to lock, it just took a rediculous amount of effort to do so. My guess is that the EPAS motor died or lost communication with the ECU somehow.

 

Mustang is back Seems fine so far

 

cool, GtStang4. Glad u got your pony back.

Did the dealer provide any other info as to what specifically failed? or if it is a revised part?

 

Hydraulic power steering has been around since before most people were on the internet.

Do you think that when hydraulic power steering was first used in mass production, it didn't have any problems?

The automakers have had YEARS to perfect the system. EPAS is relatively new. I'd say things are going pretty well.

The system acts as designed, it fails, you're able to pull over and get your vehicle towed. Quit crying about the "extra effort" required to steer.

 

Listed cause as "Faulty Gear", replaced "steering gear assembly" Did not indicate if it was revised. Part number DR3Z-3504-AE

 

Do those models in the recall use EPAS?

Regardless, it is just a hydraulic fluid pump - bet it by belt driven pulley, or electric motor. You still are displaying a degree of whine over a machine. And all machines can and do have problems from time to time.

 

Exactly. I agree. Well before the internet even. If manufacturers are going to utilize a new method, then it should surpass the safety and reliability of the previous system, without adding negative side effects.