NHTSA Complaint #10464374 — 2011 FORD EXPLORER

I WAS STARTING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND THE STABILITRAC LIGHTS CAME ON. THE STEERING GOT TIGHT AND THERE WAS LITTLE MOVEMENT TO TURN THE WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT. I PULLED A FEW FEET BACK IN THE PARKING STALL, TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND RESTARTED IT AGAIN. EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE FOR A MILE OR SO AND THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. I COULD BARELY TURN THE WHEEL. I GOT A TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD TO ORDER AND REPLACE THE STEERING PUMP. THIS HAPPENED A SECOND TIME THREE DAYS AGO, ON 7/2/12. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO AGAIN REPLACE THE STEERING PUMP. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS SECOND TIME I HAD MY TWO 7-YEAR-OLDS IN THE CAR AND WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH DOWN A MAJOR STREET. THE SAME LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED. I COULD BARELY TURN THE WHEEL. LUCKILY I WAS CLOSE TO HOME, BUT STILL HAD TO MAKE 5 TURNS. I WAS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL SO HARD THAT I FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO BREAK IT. IT TOOK ALL MY ARM STRENGTH TO MAKE THE TURNS. I WOULD TURN THE SIGNAL ON AND IT WOULD BLINK ONCE AND GO OFF ALSO. IT IS SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS AND AS MENTIONED, I HAVE NO FAITH THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. AND THIS VEHICLE IS JUST NOW A YEAR OLD. *TR