NHTSA Complaint #10869974 — 2015 FORD EXPLORER

THERE IS A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WHILE PARKED OR MANEUVERING TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING LEFT, THE VEHICLE'S STEERING LOCKS AND I HAVE TO SNATCH THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO GO STRAIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON MAY 17TH AND THEY'RE IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE STEERING GEAR OR WHAT THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME WAS KNOWN AS THE RACK AND PINION. MY VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 30,000 MILES AND I HAVEN'T RUN INTO ANYTHING OR OVER ANYTHING TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY COVERS THE REPLACEMENT, HOWEVER, I'M STUCK WITH HAVING TO DRIVE A RENTAL AT MY EXPENSE BECAUSE OF A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. I NOTICED THERE WERE OTHER OWNERS WHO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AND THEY EXPERIENCED FAILURE THAT LED TO THEIR WHEEL ASSEMBLY COMING OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE ACCORDING TO FORD, I HAVE NO RECALLS SPECIFIC TO MY VIN NUMBER, BUT THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE MORE WIDESPREAD AND FORD MOTOR CO. SHOULD BE PROACTIVE IN ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.