NHTSA Complaint #10341617 — 2008 FORD TAURUS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF THEN IT WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND UPON RESTART THE STEERING WHEEL FUNCTIONED NORMALLY; HOWEVER, IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT WAS A KNOWN FAILURE BUT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE POWER STEERING GEAR. THE FAILURE HAD NOT RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,814. UPDATED 8/24/10 *CN THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION. UPDATED 08/26/10*JB