NHTSA Complaint #10592693 — 2013 FORD ESCAPE

DRIVER WAS PROCEEDING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT SEVERAL PARKED VEHICLES. THE DRIVER COMPLAINED THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO RESPONSE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL THE SECONDS PRIOR TO IMPACT. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP BY THE TOW TRUCK AND THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS VISIBLE, THE POINT OF FAILURE WAS QUITE APPARENT. THE BALL JOINT REMAINED COMPLETELY INTACT WHILE THE STEERING KNUCKLE VISIBLY BROKE AT THE POINT WHERE IT MEETS THE BALL JOINT. EVERY OTHER ITEM UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS VISIBLY RIPPED OR BENT EXCEPT THE STEERING KNUCKLE. IT APPEARS AS IF THE STEERING KNUCKLE MATERIAL IS NOT THICK ENOUGH FOR A STRUCTURAL COMPONENT. AT THE POINT OF FAILURE, THE METAL IS APPROXIMATELY 5/16" THICK. *TR