NHTSA Complaint #11058033 — 2014 FORD EXPLORER

ON DECEMBER 27, 2017 THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2014 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED SEIZED. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION (EVEN BY FORCE). THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND IN MY DRIVEWAY. IT WAS UNOCCUPIED. IT HAPPENED WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, PUT IT IN GEAR, AND COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW ON 2/11/14 AND HAD 34,872 MILES. MY LOCAL DEALER ADVISED IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS LISTED. I FOUND PRIOR FORD RECALLS FOR MULTIPLE MAKES/MODELS AND SPECIFICALLY FOR EXPLORER MODEL YEARS '11 THROUGH '13 DEALING WITH STEERING ISSUES PERTAINING TO ELECTRONIC POWER ASSISTED STEERING [EPAS] FAILURES. [RECALL 14V286000 AND/OR 17S23] ATTACHED IS THE REPAIR BILL FOR $2,180.67 [NOTE THE TOWING SERVICE]. I HAD TO HAVE THE ELECTRIC RACK & PINION ASSEMBLY REPLACED. THE PART ALONE, EXCLUDING LABOR WAS $1,120.58. ON JANUARY 2, 2018 I PHONED FORD AT 800-392-FORD AND SPOKE WITH KIMBERLY. I WAS PROVIDED WITH REFERENCE # CAS1328239. AGAIN, I WAS ADVISED THERE IS NO RECALL ISSUED AND WAS TOLD TO HOLD ON TO MY RECEIPT SHOULD THERE EVER BE A RECALL. IN MY OPINION, THIS SHOULD NEVER HAD HAPPENED. I AM THANKFUL I WASN'T DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THE MATTER,