NHTSA Complaint #10492905 — 2012 FORD F-150

SHORTLY AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THIS NEW 2012 FORD F150 ECOBOOST, A KNOCKING DEVELOPED THAT COULD BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT, AND COULD BE FELT AND HEARD UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A BUMPY ROAD, NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THIS OCCURS. IT FEELS LIKE A RATTLE OR KNOCKING COMING FROM THE STEERING ASSEMBLY. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR IT'S FIRST OIL CHANGE, AND TO HAVE THE KNOCKING ISSUE LOOKED AT ON AUGUST 8, 2012. THE DEALER NOTICED THE NOISE AND THEIR REPAIR MADE WAS TO ROTATE THE TIRES. AUGUST 15, 2012 BROUGHT THE TRUCK BACK FOR THE SAME CONDITION. THE DEALER NOTICED THE NOISE DURING THE ROAD TEST AND CONTACTED THE FORD HOTLINE. NO REPAIRS MADE. SEPTEMBER 21, 2012 BROUGHT THE TRUCK BACK FOR THE SAME CONDITION. THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE NOISE CONDITION. NO REPAIRS MADE. OCTOBER 25, 2012 AFTER CONTACTING FORD CUSTOMER CARE CENTER MYSELF, THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO BRING THE TRUCK BACK IN AND THEY WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS. TIE RODS REPLACED ON THIS DATE. NOVEMBER 5, 2012 BROUGHT THE TRUCK BACK IN FOR THE SAME CONDITION. SERVICE DEPARTMENT REFUSED TO TEST DRIVE THE TRUCK, AND TOLD ME THAT EVERYTHING IS NORMAL AND "OPERATES AS DESIGNED". JANUARY 14, 2012-STILL HAVE KNOCKING/RATTLE CONDITION THROUGH STEERING WHEEL. *TR