NHTSA Complaint #10759790 — 2008 FORD TAURUS X

EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT "SHUDDER" IN STEERING SYSTEM WHEN CORNERING AND/OR MANEUVERING INTO PARKING SPACES; THIS CONDITION PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE AND FINALLY, THERE WAS A SUDDEN TOTAL LOSS OF POWER ASSIST TO THE STEERING SYSTEM ALMOST RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NOTICED LARGE PUDDLE OF ATF/POWER STEERING FLUID UNDER VEHICLE WHEN PARKED. UPON INSPECTION, DISCOVERED THAT POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY AND THE STEERING RACK HOUSING HAD LEAKING SEAL WHERE MAIN STEERING SHAFT ENTERED HOUSING LEADING TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE STEERING RACK CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED ON THIS VEHICLE (SEE: NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10468922; DATE COMPLAINT FILED: 08/02/2012; DATE OF INCIDENT: 07/30/2012; COMPONENT(S): STEERING). BROUGHT VEHICLE IN TO FORD DEALER (BRONDES FORD, MAUMEE, OH) FOR SERVICE. ENTIRE STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED AGAIN AT A COST EXCEEDING $1,000. FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE FOR STEERING RACK DUE TO THE NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA SITE ALONE DUE TO THE VERY NATURE OF THIS FAILURE - ANYTHING STEERING/SUSPENSION/BRAKE-RELATED SHOULD BE SUBJECT FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION FOR RECALL. FT