NHTSA Complaint #10501966 — 2008 FORD ESCAPE

AS I WAS BACKING UP, I LOST POWER STEERING. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL WITHOUT GREAT FORCE, AND BACKED INTO THE PORCH. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND TURNING IT BACK ON, THIS RESOLVED. IT HAPPENED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY GOING FORWARD AT 40 MPH. I COULD HEAR SOMETHING IN THE STEERING COLUMN CLICK AND THEN LOST POWER STEERING. NOW THE POWER STEERING HAS COMPLETELY GONE OUT. WHEN I START THE CAR, I CAN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL ALL THE WAY ONE DIRECTION AND "TRICK" IT INTO HAVING POWER STEERING FOR A MOMENT BEFORE IT CLICKS OFF AGAIN. I HAVE SUSTAINED A NECK AND SHOULDER INJURY FROM HAVING TO USE MY ENTIRE BODY TO TURN THE WHEEL, AND SLAMMING INTO THE PORCH WHEN THE WHEEL GOT "STUCK" IN A TURNED POSITION AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN IT BACK. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT NO ONE HAS DIED AS A RESULT OF FORD'S DEFECT. WILL THE NHTSA WAIT UNTIL THEN TO FORCE FORD INTO A RECALL? *TR