NHTSA Complaint #10513080 — 2012 FORD EXPLORER

I BOUGHT MY 2012 FORD EXPLORER IN JANUARY 2012, AND HAD NO PROBLEMS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. RECENTLY, WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" WARNING STARTED COMING ON. AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND RE-STARTING THE ENGINE, THE WARNING WENT AWAY AND I REGAINED POWER STEERING. ABOUT 6 DAYS AGO, I DROVE 15 MILES TO WORK, AND THE SAME "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" WARNING CAME ON AND STAYED ON - EVEN AFTER RECYCLING THE ENGINE. THE "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC" WARNING ALSO STAYED ON AND I LOST THE POWER STEERING. THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE, THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE "POWER-STEERING GEAR BOX", AND THE PART IS TWO DAYS AWAY. I SAW SOMEONE POSTED THAT FORD DOESN'T CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU CAN STILL STEER IT. IF I HAVE TROUBLE STEERING IT, I HATE TO THINK WHAT MY WIFE OR DAUGHTERS WOULD EXPERIENCE. THIS VEHICLE ISN'T LIKE A REGULAR FULL SIZE CAR OR TRUCK, I AM 6'2" AND WEIGH ABOUT 270, AND WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED, I COULD NOT STEER IT TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AT ANY SPEED UNDER 5MPH. IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED, A PERSON COULD LOSE CONTROL. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT A MINOR FIX ON A NEW CAR. LOOKING AT THE POSTS, FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE ASAP. I ASKED THE DEALER WHAT THIS REPAIR WOULD COST IF IT WEREN'T UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD A COUPLE OF THOUSAND DOLLARS. IF HE IS CORRECT, THAT IS RIDICULOUS ON A 18 MONTH VEHICLE. I DIDN'T BUY THIS TO BE A MONEY PIT. *TR