NHTSA Complaint #10491910 — 2012 FORD F-150

WHILE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE ON US 395 NORTH BOUND, NORTH OF PEARSONVILLE, CA, THE STEERING BEGAN TO FEEL LOOSE WITH A "CLUNK" OR "POPPING" THAT COULD BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS WAS VERY CONCERNING, AND ANNOYING, AND LASTED FOR 3 HOURS UNTIL I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION. THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMP WAS ABOUT 90 DEGREES, AND THIS "CLUNK" BECOMES MORE PRONOUNCED AS THE TEMPERATURE RISES. I HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS WITH THIS NEW ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST STEERING (EPAS) AND THE POTENTIAL FOR TOTAL STEERING FAILURE. FORD HAD SERIOUS ISSUES WITH THE 2011 EXPLORER EPAS, AND NOW THE NEW F150 (BEGINNING WITH 2011 MODEL) WITH EPAS IS BEGINNING TO SHOW THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS AT PERRY FORD IN POWAY, CA YESTERDAY, AND THE SERVICE WRITER STATED THAT TWO NEW F150'S LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL. THE ONLINE FORUM, WWW.F150FORUM.COM, HAS HUNDREDS OF NEW F150 OWNERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. MANY HAVE HAD TOTAL STEERING RACK REPLACEMENTS ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM COME BACK IN A FEW THOUSAND MILES. I LIMIT MY DRIVING WITH THIS VEHICLE (ONLY 3,012 MI.) AFTER ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. I REFUSE TO WASTE MY TIME WITH A RACK REPLACEMENT AS FORD HAS MADE NO MODIFICATIONS OR CHANGES TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN. THE VENDOR FOR THIS EPAS UNIT IS NEXTEER. I HAVE CONTACTED NEXTEER AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. I OPENED A CASE WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. MY PERSONAL SAFETY, THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS KEEPS ME OFF THE ROAD UNTIL FORD ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM AND FINDS A FIX. THE PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE A LIFE, OR LIVES, ARE LOST. THANK YOU. *TR