NHTSA Complaint #11139953 — 2008 FORD ESCAPE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE LOCAL DEALER (BROADWAY FORD, 1010 SOUTH MILITARY AVE, GREEN BAY, WI) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THE OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000(STEERING), BUT THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.