NHTSA Complaint #11204290 — 2013 SUZUKI SX4

I WAS DRIVING ON THE NEW YORK THRUWAY (I-87) NORTHBOUND AND TOOK EXIT 23 FOR ALBANY. WHEN THE OFF RAMP MADE A SHARP RIGHT HAND CURVE, I REALIZED THAT I HAD NO POWER STEERING. THE CAR CONTINUED STRAIGHT AND CROSSED THE LINE ONTO THE LEFT SHOULDER LANE AND HEADED FOR THE GUARDRAIL. I THEN TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL REALLY HARD TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO WRESTLE THE CAR BACK ONTO THE ROAD. AFTER THAT, THE CAR WOULD HAVE ALMOST NO POWER STEERING BOOST UNDER 1500 RPM OR WHEN HARD BRAKING. THE CAR WOULD HAVE NEAR NORMAL POWER STEERING BOOST ABOVE 3000 RPM OR WHEN DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE STEERING WHEEL IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN WHEN THE CAR IS AT IDLE SUCH AS WHEN ENTERING OR EXITING A PARKING SPACE. I CONTACTED A SUZUKI DEALER IMMEDIATELY TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR HAS ALREADY HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED UNDER THE 2015 RECALL. I TOLD HIM I RECEIVED A LETTER IN NOVEMBER 2018 INDICATING THIS WAS A NEW PROBLEM DESPITE THE RECALL REPLACEMENT PUMP IN 2015. THE DEALER DID NOT SEEM TO BE AWARE THAT THERE IS A NEW RECALL AND SAID I HAD TO BRING MY CAR IN AND PAY A $140 DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND WILL BRING THE CAR IN.