NHTSA Complaint #10730194 — 2012 FORD FUSION

I HAD BEEN NOTICING SOME IRREGULAR NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF MY 2012 FORD FUSION, THIS IS MY WIFE'S PRIMARY VEHICLE SO I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HER AND THE KIDS SAFETY. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC THINKING IT JUST NEEDED ALIGNMENT OR A POSSIBLE TIE ROD ISSUE....UNFORTUNATELY THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. MY MECHANIC EXPLAINED AND SHOWED THE PROBLEM TO ME ( I MYSELF DO MECHANIC WORK SO HE ALWAYS SHOWS ME WHAT HE FOUND). IT SEEMS THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY WAS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED, AND IN ADDITION THE MOVEMENT OF THE SAID FAULTY RACK HAD CAUSED WEAR IN THE OUTER DRIVE SHAFT AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS. TOTAL COST TO REPAIR, $2,245.00! THIS IS A CRIME!!! THE CAR IS THREE YEARS OLD, AND MODERATE MILEAGE. AGAIN, I HAVE PRETTY GOOD MECHANICAL KNOWLEDGE, IN 30 YEARS I HAVE NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF A RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY FAILING IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, HECK BRAKE PADS LAST LONGER THAN THAT! FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND FIX THIS PROBLEM AS I HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS OF FUSION OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD EVEN CONSIDER PAYING THE LABOR COSTS IF THEY PROVIDED THE NEEDED PARTS...DO SOMETHING FORD, LIVES ARE AT STAKE!