NHTSA Complaint #11085008 — 2013 FORD ESCAPE

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK LAST FRIDAY AND I SUDDENLY HEARD THE ALERT SIGNAL AND DASHBOARD LIGHT AND THEN I COULDN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE ERROR MESSAGE ON THE DASH SAID "STEERING ASSIST FAULT SERVICE REQUIRED". I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL ENOUGH TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 35 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THERE WERE MANY OTHER CARS AROUND ME, BUT LUCKILY THEY AVOIDED ME. I HAVE ONE REPAIR QUOTE FOR $2000 TO REPAIR THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION SYSTEM, OF WHICH WE CANNOT PAY. WE TOOK IT TO 2 OTHER MECHANICS WHO REPORTED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT WAS AN ELECTRIC SYSTEM AND HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED BY THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. FROM MY RESEARCH, THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE FORD HAD WITH THEIR 2008-2011 FORD EXPLORERS.