NHTSA Complaint #10925788 — 2012 FORD FOCUS

A FEW DAYS BEFORE INCIDENT THE CAR DEVELOPED A RUBBING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND MY FIANCE STATED THAT THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. THINKING IT WAS A POWER STEERING ISSUE - A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED AND I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALER AFTER HOURS. THE DISTANCE IS APPROXIMATELY 13 MILES. AFTER ABOUT 10 MILES THE DASH DISPLAY INDICATED A YELLOW DISPLAY STATING "SERVICE STEERING SYSTEM SOON". I CONTINUED TO DEALERSHIP AND ARRIVED JUST BEFORE 7:00 PM. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR INTO A PARKING SPACE NEAR SERVICE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AND BECAME IMMOVABLE AND CAR DISPLAY STATED A RED WARNING BOX " TOTAL STEERING FAILURE - STOP SAFELY" THIS IS THE CONDITION THE SERVICE MANAGER FOUND THE NEXT MORNING. THE CAUSE IS A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL MODULE. THE COST TO REPLACE THIS PART IS $2000 AFTER WHICH TIME THE DEALER CAN DIAGNOSE "ANY OF THE OTHER THREE COMMON CAUSES OF STEERING LOSS."