NHTSA Complaint #10360056 — 2009 FORD ESCAPE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GRAVEL DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE GEAR SELECTOR SHIFTED IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION. UNEXPECTEDLY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED 50 FEET APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 10 -15 MPH AND STRUCK A WOODEN FENCE POST CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CONTACT THEN ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SPINNING 360 DEGREES. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN DETACHED FROM THE BASE AND THE STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING EMERGED THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD. IN ADDITION, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT BUMPER SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO BODY REPIAR SHOP AND REPAIRED FOR THE DAMAGES. A FIELD ENGINEER INVESTIGATED THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON THE OUTCOME OF THE INVESTIGATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,850. UPDATED 01/24/11 *CN UPDATED 04.18.11