NHTSA Complaint #10654894 — 2001 HONDA CIVIC

I HAD NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEM LIKE THIS WITH MY CAR BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING BY MYSELF ON A STATE HIGHWAY JUST AFTER DAWN, AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR, APPROACHING A CURVE TO THE RIGHT. I HAD JUST EXECUTED A CURVE TO THE LEFT AND WAS STRAIGHTENING THE WHEEL WHEN THE STEERING FROZE, AND I WAS UNABLE TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL. GOING OFF THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT, I BOUNCED FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHILE CRASHING INTO A DITCH. TWO CARS IMMEDIATELY STOPPED, I UNFASTENED MY SEATBELT, TOOK MY KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION, AND TURNED EVERYTHING OFF. THEN THE DRIVERS HELPED ME OUT THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. LATER WHEN THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED, THE DRIVER TOLD ME TO STEER THE VEHICLE AS HE PULLED IT UP OUT OF THE DITCH TOWARD HIS TRUCK. I TOLD HIM IT WAS FROZEN, AND I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STEER IT. HOWEVER, WHEN I TURNED THE ENGINE ON, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS NO LONGER LOCKED. I DO NOT KNOW WHY IT FROZE. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, BUT I DON'T THINK SO BECAUSE I REMEMBER TURNING THE KEY OFF RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE OF FEAR OF FIRE. I DID NOT GO TO THE HOSPITAL BUT CALLED MY CHIROPRACTOR AND BEGAN TREATMENT THAT AFTERNOON. *TR