NHTSA Complaint #11071548 — 2008 FORD ESCAPE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO LONGHORN FORD (1311 S PACIFIC ST, MINEOLA, TX 75773), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.