Does my Escape need to be reflashed after having the steering column replaced?

What is your question?

I took my car to my mechanic because my Electronic Power steering is going in and out. He said that the steering column assembly needs to be replaced but he can't do it b/c after that it will need to be reflashed and he doesn't have the program. So I am just wondering, does the computer have to be reflashed after having the steering column replaced or is he just saying that? There was a recall but Ford says my VIN is no longer under recall b/c it was already fixed (obviously it wasn't). I told my mechanic that Ford says there's no recall but he keeps saying there is so I need to take a to a Ford dealer (the closest one is 50 miles away so I would like to find a closer place to take it to since I can't drive it far and have to pay for it out of pocket). I would like to know if it has to have the reflash done or if another garage can replace the steering column assembly without doing the reflash afterwards.