NHTSA Complaint #11161853 — 2018 FORD F-150

VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH AUTO STOP START FEATURE. WHEN ENGINE SHUTS OFF THE ELECTRICALLY OPERATED POWER STEERING ALSO SHUTS OFF. RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL RESTARTS ENGINE BUT POWER STEERING DOES NOT RETURN FOR APPROXIMATELY 1-2 SECONDS. I'VE OWNED THIS TRUCK SINCE NEW. I CURRENTLY HAVE A LITTLE OVER 700 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THREE TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I HAVE BEEN MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM A BUSY HIGHWAY ONTO A SECONDARY ROAD AND THE STOP START FEATURE HAS ENGAGED. I MAKE THE DECISION TO TURN AND GO BUT THE TRUCK HAS NO POWER STEERING AND I AM MOVING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER WITHOUT POWER STEERING.THERE IS A BUTTON ON THE DASH TO DISABLE THE SYSTEM BUT THE DEFAULT IS TO TURN THE SYSTEM ON EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. I AM FEARFUL THAT IF MY WIFE OR OTHER PERSON NOT INTIMATELY FAMILIAR WITH HOW THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO OPERATE WILL BE PUT AT EXTREME RISK. IN MY OPINION THIS IS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE DESIGN AND SHOULD BE REMOVED OR REDESIGNED TO ENABLE THE POWER STEERING TO OPERATE ANY TIME THE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION IN THE "ON" POSITION.