NHTSA Complaint #11210301 — 2007 ACURA MDX

I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY CLOCKWISE WITH THE CAR OFF WHILE IT WAS IN MY GARAGE. AS I WAS STRAIGHTENING THE WHEEL, IT BECAME COMPLETELY LOOSE AS IF SOMETHING IN THE STEERING SHAFT OR A CONNECTION HAD BROKEN. THE STEERING WHEEL SPUN FREELY IN BOTH DIRECTIONS WITHOUT TURNING THE WHEELS. THE LOWER U-JOINT THAT COUPLES THE SHAFT TO THE GEAR BOX BROKE. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS GREATER FORCE ON THAT PART WHILE THE CAR IS OFF (NO POWER STEERING), BUT THE STRENGTH OF THAT JOINT SHOULD HAVE SUFFICIENT SAFETY MARGIN TO WITHSTAND THIS. WHAT IF IT WAS JUST DAMAGED ENOUGH AT THAT POINT THAT IT STILL WORKED, BUT WENT ON TO FAIL IN THE HIGHWAY? 70 MPH AND NO WAY TO STEER THE CAR. SCARY. THE CAR IS OVER 10 YEARS OLD AND HAS JUST UNDER 200000 MILES, BUT I WOULD EXPECT A COMPONENT THIS CRITICAL TO BE ONE OF THE LAST THINGS TO FAIL ON A CAR.