NHTSA Complaint #11254783 — 2018 FORD FUSION HYBRID

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 FORD FUSION HYBRID. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING THE HIGHWAY ON RAMP AT 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO THE CONTACT'S LANE. THE CONTACT JERKED THE STEERING WHEEL AND ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID THE OTHER VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE WHEELS SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE DROVE OFF ROAD, OVER A CURB, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT FOUND AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING A STEERING COLUMN BOLT, WHICH AFFECTED THE 2014-2018 MODELS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 19,878.