NHTSA Complaint #10896188 — 2012 FORD FOCUS

MY CAR'S STEERING WHEEL GOT STUCK WITH A NOTICE SAYING "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". THE FIRST TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED THE CAR WAS BACKING UP, AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY WHEN I PARKED AND RESTARTED THE CAR. THE SECOND TIME THE PROBLEM STAYED... THE COST TO FIX THE PROBLEM WAS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $2000 (PARTS AND LABOR) AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE MILEAGE WAS AROUND 60,000 AT THE TIME. LAST WEEK (08/12/2016, AT ABOUT 72,000 MILES), A WARNING CAME ON ABOUT A DOOR BEING OPEN WHILE I WAS PARKING. IT WAS THE ONE AT THE BACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK, SO I TIED IT WITH A SEATBELT TO KEEP DRIVING. SINCE THEN THE CAR GOES INTO PANIC MODE NOW AND THEN WHEN I LEAVE IT LOCKED, PROBABLY BECAUSE THE DOOR MOVES AND IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE MECHANICALLY FORCED THE LATCH OPEN. I SOMEHOW FEEL LUCKY THAT NONE OF THE PROBLEMS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, BUT I AM NOW CONCERNED ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE FAILING (LIKE A DOOR FLYING OPEN) IN WORSE CONDITIONS.