NHTSA Complaint #11204464 — 2008 LINCOLN MKZ

I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING STALL AND TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL SHARPLY TO THE LEFT AND HEARD A BREAKING SOUND. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, IT WOULD NOT MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. I FOUND THAT THE FRONT WHEELS WERE BOTH POINTED INWARDS (PIGEON-TOED) A SEVERE AMOUNT. A FLAT-BED TRUCK WAS CALLED TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE REPORT FROM THE FORD DEALER IS THAT AN OUTER TIE-ROD END HAD BROKEN COMPLETELY THROUGH IN WHAT WOULD BE CHARACTERIZED AS A BRITTLE FRACTURE. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THERE WAS A BRIGHT CLEAN BREAK NOT TYPICAL OF A FATIGUE FAILURE OR A DUCTILE FAILURE.