Power Steering problem on 2005 Ford Escape?

I've got a 2005 Ford Escape XLT 3.0Litre V6. The power steering has been whining for awhile now, like it's low on fluid. Now the power steering functionality is sporadic: sometimes it's working, sometimes I can easily turn it "most" of the way but have difficulty turning the wheel all the way, now it is occasionally losing power steering entirely momentarily.

I just checked, fluid level appears to be good, no idea what I'd be looking for in terms of the quality of the fluid if I were to dip a dipstick in it to see the fluid itself.

Is there a filter or something that would/could clog up and prevent fluid from flowing properly? Any other "less costly" possible causes other than replacing the entire power steering pump? Or am I going to be replacing the entire pump? Or the steering box (if they're not both the same thing)?

By some fluke, could it have any relation, whatsoever, to a vacuum leak in the brake booster?

Ford Escape Alarm Keeps going off?

My 2007 Ford Escape's alarm system keeps going off randomly. At least once a day when I'm home. I have no idea how often when I'm at work.
I want to lower the sensitivity but the Owners Manual doesn't help someone like me to work on a vehicle.

The first step states "put your system in transmitter learn mode"… It says to look on the previous page but it doesn't list steps for that anywhere…
The second step is "press and release the programming/override button". I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THAT IS. I was searching everywhere in my vehicle. What does that even look like?

Please help!

Thanks

Added (1). Thanks for your answer on the transmitter learn! And no, the vehicle at random does not say door ajar. The following steps after the first two I'm confused about so explain how to lower the sensitivity so I'm assuming its after market

Is purchasing a Ford Escape with 198,000 miles on it a bad idea?

I'm looking at a 2005 Ford Escape limited with 198,880 miles on it. As I can see by the pictures I have viewed, it looks to me like this car has been very we'll maintained. By this I mean the body of the car is rust free, the leather interior is in very good shape, and all together the car looks fine to me. I'm seriously considering this vehicle and I'm just not sure if the mileage of this car is something I should worry about. The car is priced at $5,000.

How negotiable are dealers when it comes to selling a used car brand they don't sell new?

I'm looking for a very specific car, a 2010-2012 Ford Escape Limited 4WD V6 with dark interior.

I'm wondering with a sticker price of $17880, a 2011 Ford Escape is available at a Subaru Dealer, which is next door to and not affiliated with a ford dealer. A comperable Escape over there's about $1500 - $7000 more depending on whether it is certified or not.

My question is that if the 2011 valued at $17880 is considered by NADA, Edmunds, and cargurus to be reasonable, about $50 +or-, how much room for negotiation is there. I hope to spend no more than $14500 - $15500 after taxes and licensing.

Now I can afford sticker and am paying day of in cash money, but I'm a first responder and plan to use this as a response vehicle, that cost money.

It has been for sale for about a month and is in good overall condition.

Chevy, ford or acura, wich one should i keep?

I have 3 cars i need to get rid of 2 of them because i'm buying one and am keeping one of these as babackup wich car should i keep 2002 acura mdx, 2007 ford escape, 2011 chevy traverse