My 2005 Escape hybrid "stiff" steering when driving in a straight line, small corrections require some force and that makes for unpleasant driving on the highway. Is this an inherent property of the electric power steering system or is there something wrong with my 2005 Escape (one of 5 in Holland!)

Alignment seems to be OK and steering at lower speeds (in town) is normal.

Please advise!

 

I have a 2005 Escape Hybrid.

I have been the owner for 10 years and 185,000 miles ( 298,000 km ).

I have not noticed this ever.

This car has electric power steering.
Maybe there is a blown fuse or electrical problem.

 

That is good to hear, it means that it can be fixed!

Steering at lower speeds (in town) is good so the electrical power assist is working! The car has only 25.000 miles on it so wear and tear can not be the cause. Wheel alignment seems to be OK so where to look next???

This car is very rare here in Holland so the local dealer is not much of an option.

I am hoping for help from this forum! The car is not very pleasant to drive on the highway as it is now!

 

Your symptoms are strange.

You would expect the opposite.
With electrical steering off, you only have mechanical steering.

Normally with only mechanical steering your hands do all the work. Highway (straight line) is easy. Slow speed curves - difficult.

While your car is rare, electrical power sterring is not. Any mechanic should be able to help. The mechanic needs to work on the steering, which every car has, not the rare hybrid parts.

Let us know what you find out.

 

The symptoms ARE strange, that's why I am hoping for some good advise here before I have to turn to costly dealers that have never seen a Escape Hybrid.

It feels like there is to much friction in the steering in a straight line (if that makes things clearer)

I wonder if to much Toe-in could cause these symptoms?
Does anyone know the Toe-in values?

 

A good 4 wheel laser/computer alignment definitely wouldn't hurt. Since the Escape has independent suspension all around, all 4 wheels should be checked. Just tell the shop your centering is off and have difficulty tracking in a straight line. There shouldn't be anything hybrid specific to an alignment issue.

 

I just came back from a full wheel alignment and the values could not be better, everything was spot on! The cause must be found somewhere else and I am drawing a blank here!

I am still hoping for a solution from someone here on the forum!