B2278 fault code: what 6 Ford owners reported

Ford Dealership diagnosed with Code B2278, Power Steering Torque Angle sensor malfunction. I see recalls on same item for many years up to 2011, but my 2012 not included. Many on web describing the same problem with their 2012 Ford Escape. Only have 131,000 miles. Has spoken to service advisors from several Ford dealerships and all have said they see this same problem all the time in 2012 Escapes. It's a safety matter because you drive down the road and it goes out, especially when slowing down the power steering goes out, meaning the steering wheel stiffens to manual mode, even while turning. Many times the engine shuts off. Then in a complete stop while on the road, turning key off/on…

…It was just again brought to the dealership after experiencing a loss of power steering 4 times in 4 days, and they replicated the issue and recorded diagnostic code B2278. It required replacing and reprogramming the steering shaft torque sensor (the exact same fix from the 2014 recall). The safety of this is concerning because Ford knows it is an issue based on the 2014 recall and the loss of power steering comes with no warning light, indication, or prediction. If this happens while driving, it absolutely increases risk of injury to the driver or others, along with increasing the risk of accidents.

Power steering suddenly went out on right turn onto residential street at approx 10 mph. No warning lights. When car was restarted, power steering back on. Paid dealer to scan. Failure code B2278-2F. Replace steering shaft torque sensor (internal to steering column), steering shaft must be replaced, too, due to play. Just two parts: part cost $2272, labor $886. Part back-ordered for unknown period. Have not yet told dealer service to order parts. Asked dealer if car was safe to drive: they said "probably not."

…I DROVE IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID IT WAS A STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR MALFUNCTION B2278 CODE 100.427. SINCE MY MECHANIC CLEARED THE CODE, 3 SEPARATE FORD DEALERS REFUSED TO LOOK AT IT WITHOUT AN ACTIVE CODE. SO I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND HOLDING MY BREATH EACH TIME I MAKE A TURN AND KEEP LOOKING FOR THE STRAIGHTEST PATH WHEREVER I GO. BUT LUCKY FOR ME, ON DECEMBER 24, STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND COULDN'T START CAR FROM A PARKED POSITION. HOPING THIS INCIDENT IS RELATED TO THE FIRST. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE CAR, NOTHING. I WAITED 5 MINUTES AND THE CAR STARTED. MY WHEEL WAS TURNED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT AS I WAS PARKED ON A DOWNWARD INCLINE. HOPING THE TWO…

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE STATIONARY IN A DRIVE-THROUGH LINE. DIAGNOSIS FOUND DTC B2278 IN COMPUTER MEMORY. ALL INVESTIGATION LED TO A STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR AS THE FAULTY COMPONENT. THIS SAME COMPONENT WAS INVOLVED IN A RECALL FOR PRIOR YEARS ON THIS MODEL UP TO MODEL YEAR 2011. THIS REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALL AT THIS TIME. REPAIR WAS PAID FOR WITH A COMBINATION OF AFTERMARKET WARRANTY AND OWNER PAYMENT. THE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED. DOCUMENTATION IS INCLUDED WITH THIS COMPLAINT. TO DATE NO ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS HAVE SURFACED SINCE REPAIR.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the steering wheel locked. The contact used force to turn the steering wheel while driving to the residence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who inspected the vehicle and retrieved DTC: B2278. The independent mechanic determined that the power steering control module and sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The sensor was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.