NHTSA Complaint #11016168 — 2010 FORD FUSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FUSION. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING SERVICE AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED SHERIDAN FORD SALES (4001 KIRKWOOD HWY, WILMINGTON, DE 19808 (302) 999-0261) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION, WAIT A FEW MOMENTS, AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE POWER STEERING TO RETURN TO NORMAL. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ADD POWER STEERING FLUID, BUT DISCOVERED THAT THE STEERING WAS ELECTRIC. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BOUNCE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS TURNED INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND, WHILE INSPECTING THE FRONT WHEELS, SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.