NHTSA Complaint #11024987 — 2013 FORD EXPLORER

WHEN TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE THE VEHICLE STARTED PULLING MY STEERING TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT WHEN NOT DRIVING STRAIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD POP TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN MY LANE ON THE INTERSTATE. DASHBOARD LIGHTS APPEARED INDICATING TRAC CONTROL AND TRAC SYSTEM MAINTANENCE. AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POPPING AND SCREECHING NOISE WHEN MAKING A SHARP TURN, THE WHEEL BECAME MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN AND WAS PHYSICALLY CHALLENGING. REALIZING THE SEVERITY OF THE SITUATION AND FEELING THE LOSS OF CONTROL BEHIND THE WHEEL I ATTEMPTED TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THE STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. THE WHEEL WOULDN'T BUDGE AND I WAS LEFT STRANDED WITH THE CAR JACKNIFED ON A SIDE STREET. A TOW TRUCK WAS REQUIRED TO REMOVE THE CAR FROM THE STREET AND I HAD TO REMOVE MYSELF AND MY 4 WEEK OLD BABY FROM THE CAR AND TO SAFETY WHILE WAITING FOR AN ALTERNATE RIDE. VERY SCARY AND UPSETTING. THANKFULLY IT DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE INTERSTATE OR IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT.