NHTSA Complaint #11104209 — 2009 FORD ESCAPE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND REQUIRED ADDITIONAL EFFORT TO SAFELY OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER (BILL KAY FORD, 2556 S CICERO AVE, MIDLOTHIAN, IL) WAS CALLED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING); THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIR EXPENSES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS ATTRIBUTED TO THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.