NHTSA Complaint #10238931 — 2007 FORD FUSION

2007 FORD FUSION - CRACKS IN FRONT SUBFRAME EFFECTING STEERING YESTERDAY I WAS INFORMED BY A FORD DEALER, DON REID FORD IN MAITLAND FLORIDA, THAT THE LIKELY EXPLANATION FOR THE "NOTCHY" FEEL IN MY STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2007 FORD FUSION IS PROBABLY DUE TO CRACKS AT WELD SEAMS IN THE FRONT SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER FORD SERVICE TECH THAT THE ISSUE COULD ALSO BE A BAD STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION. THIS VEHICLE IS 1 1/2 YEARS OLD AND SO FAR THE DEALER IS THINKING IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD BY THIS FORD TECH THAT THE WELD CRACKING PROBLEM IS A "KNOWN ISSUE" AT FORD AND HE AGREES 100% THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I CAN FEEL LOOSENESS / CLUNKING IN MY STEERING WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AND TURNING. THIS IS NOT AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE SINCE, ON THE FORD FUSION, THE FRONT ALIGNMENT IS NOT ADJUSTABLE. I AM VERY CONCERNED AS TO THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND AM BEING TOLD IT MAY COST OVER $1,000 TO REPAIR THIS OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I FIRST NOTICED THIS ISSUE A FEW WEEKS AGO ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 1ST WHILE MAKING A 3 POINT TURN IN A TIGHT PARKING LOT. THE CONDITION IS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. PLEASE HELP. *TR