NHTSA Complaint #11056847 — 2012 FORD FOCUS

I WAS DRIVING ON BUSY FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY IN FAST MOVING TRAFFIC IN MY 2012 FORD FOCUS A LIGHT CAME ON SAYING STEERING ASSIST FAILURE SERVICE REQUIRED. THIS SCARED ME VERY MUCH. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND LIFETHREATENING. THE WHEEL WAS HEAVY AND HARD TO STEER GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY CURVING EXIT. I WAS FRIGHTENED I WOULD HIT THE GUARDRAILS. BROUGHT CAR TO TORRINGTON, CT FORD DEALER WHO IS VERY NICE SAID STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED $1,977. CALLED FORD ASKED WHY WAS FOCUS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL ISSUED FOR SAME REASON TO EDGE, FUSION AND EXPLORER. FORD REPRESENTATIVE NAMED PAM SAID "REASON IT WAS NOT INVOLVED IN RECALL IS BECAUSE BUILT AT DIFFERENT TIME AND USING DIFFERENT PART AFFECTED BY THE RECALL." I SAID BUT THEY ALL USED SAME TEMKIN MANUF. PART. HE SAID, "RECALLS ARE VIN SPECIFIC." WOULD NOT PAY FOR REPAIR, AND SAID MY COMPLAINT WOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE "APPROPRIATE INTERNAL DEPARTMENT". (THAT MUST BE THE DO-NOTHING-ABOUT-IT UNIT) HOW DISAPPOINTING AND EMBARRASSING THAT AN AMERICAN COMPANY DOESN'T CARE ABOUT ITS CUSTOMERS. THIS IS MY THIRD AND LAST FORD CAR I WILL BUY. WHO IS GOING TO DIE BEFORE BIG BUSINESS TAKES NOTICE? THERE ARE 508 COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE!! AND THOUSANDS MORE ON OTHER INTERNET SITES! WHY ARE WE SPINNING OUR WHEELS WITH THIS AGENCY THAT DOES NOTHING WITH THIS LIFE-THREATENING ISSUE. WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN BEING ABLE TO STEER OR BRAKE YOUR CAR? THIS STEERING ASSIST FAILURE IS DEADLY AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND RECALLED FOR SAFETY OF 2012 FORD FOCUS DRIVERS, THEIR PASSENGERS, AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD.-- TK (FORMER FORD DRIVER)