NHTSA Complaint #10564989 — 2012 FORD EXPLORER

WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON A HIGHWAY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, POWER STEERING ASSIST LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE AS BRAKES WERE APPLIED. WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF OF HIGHWAY WITH MUCH EFFORT AND PULL INTO A PARKING LOT TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. ORIGINALLY TOLD IT "SOUNDS LIKE A SENSOR HAS GONE BAD." NOTIFIED TODAY THAT RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED FOR AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $2300. BASIC WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD!!! ALSO NOTIFIED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SYNC SYSTEM THAT I WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF. HAVE HAD THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES SINCE I GOT IT BUT CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE IT! *TR