NHTSA Complaint #10917536 — 2013 FORD ESCAPE

I STARTED MY CAR AND AS I PUT THE 2013 FORD ESCAPE IN REVERSE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL FELT IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE. KNOWING THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SO MANY DANGEROUS ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH RECALLS IN THE PAST, I DECIDED NOT TO DRIVE IT ANY FURTHER. AS IT WAS STILL SAFELY IN MY DRIVEWAY, I PLACED IT IN PARK, SHUT IT OFF, AND OPTED TO USE ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE ESCAPE SAT THERE UNDISTURBED FOR TWO DAYS. THEN, MY HUSBAND TRIED TO USE IT AND UPON STARTING HE NOTICED A WARNING IN THE DISPLAY THAT STATED STEERING ASSIST FAULT. HE OPTED NOT TO USE THE VEHICLE EITHER AS HE ALSO NOTICED THAT IT SEEMED AS IF THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. I HAVE A CALL INTO A LOCAL DEALER TO TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE, BUT SEE NO LOGICAL REASON FOR THIS VEHICLE TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH STEERING. IT IS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD AND HAS 30K MILES. I ONLY USE THE VEHICLE TO RUN ERRANDS IN TOWN AND HAVE KEPT UP WITH ROUTINE MAINTENANCE.