NHTSA Complaint #10622017 — 2008 FORD ESCAPE

WHILE DRIVING 2008 FORD ESCAPE ELECTRICAL STEERING WOULD QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND GO INTO MANUAL STEERING MODE. IF THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE ELECTRICAL STEERING WOULD WORK. CHECKED TO SEE IF THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR THE STEERING PROBLEM ONLINE AND THE VEHICLE DID. RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR 2008 FORD ESCAPE ELECTRICAL STEERING FAILURE RECAL # 14S05. TOOK THE 2008 IN FOR REPAIRS AT ED KOEHN FORD DEALERSHIP IN WAYLAND, MICHIGAN FOR REPAIRS. MECHANIC STATED THAT STEERING HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED. NOW AFTER THE FIX (PROGRAMING) VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHILE NOT IN MOTION WHILE PARKED. UNABLE TO USE VEHICLE. FORD STATES THAT VEHICLE HAS BEEN FIXED AS FAR AS THEY ARE CONCERNED. DEALERSHIP CONTACTED FORD SPECIAL SERVICES FOR THE SHAKING STEERING (WHILE THE VEHICLE IS SITTING MOTIONLESS) AND DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT SHAKE UNTIL FORD MADE THE REPAIR FOR THE RECALL. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TWICE (1-800-392-3673) WHICH STILL ADVISES IT IS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. CASE #5055156-F5P7BQ. THE RECALL STATES THAT ALTERNATIVELY, THE DEALER MAY HAVE TO REPLACE THE TORQUE SENSOR OR THE STEERING COLUMN. IN THIS CASE, SINCE THE REPROGRAMMING DID NOT WORK THE STEERING COLUMN SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHANGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED. IT APPEARS TO BE A CHEAP FIX BY FORD AT MY EXPENSE. NOW FORD WANTS $950 TO MAKE THE REPAIR WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED AT NO COST UNDER THE RECALL. *TR