NHTSA Complaint #10735413 — 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR

WE HAVE A FLEET OF LINCOLN TOWN CARS USED IN A GROUND TRANSPORTATION SERVICE. THE DRIVER REPORTED THAT "THE STEERING FELT (VERY) TIGHT". ANOTHER CAR WAS DISPATCHED TO COVER THE LIVERY, AND THE AFFECTED CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO OUR FACILITY. OUR SENIOR MECHANIC EXAMINED THE CAR AND THE ISSUE IS THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY. IT IS SEVERELY CORRODED, AND THE "U-JOINTS" CONTAINED IN IT ARE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER, PROVIDED THE VIN, AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE THIS IS NOT A NEW FOMOCO PROBLEM, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS OF SEVERAL OTHER YEARS (AND MODELS) FOR THE VERY ISSUE. IT IS THE EXACT SAME PART THAT HAS FAILED IN SEVERAL YEARS OF TOWN CAR (AND SIMILAR). THEY ARE PLAYING GAME WITH RECALL STATUS ON THIS VEHICLE THESE CARS (THAT ALL HAVE THE SAME STEERING SHAFT DESIGN) SHOULD BE RECALLED THE SCOPE OF THIS RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED