NHTSA Complaint #11276948 — 2016 FORD EXPLORER

VEHICLE LURCHED INTO ADJOINING LANE ON INTERSTATE WHILE GOING AROUND A SLIGHT CURVE AT ABOUT 70MPH. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR UNDER CONTROL AND PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE ADJACENT LANE OR I ALMOST CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE HIT THEM. I WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO HOME THAT I GOT THE VEHICLE BACK (ABOUT A MILE), BUT THE STEERING WOULD 'STICK'/PULL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT WHEN TURNING SUCH THAT I HAD TO FORCE IT BACK TO CENTER (WOULD NOT RETURN TO CENTER ON ITS OWN). LIMPED HOME AT ABOUT 10 MPH. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP WHO DIAGNOSED A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC STEERING GEAR AND STEERING RACK. THEY SAID THEY'VE SEEN THIS A FEW TIMES WITH 2016 EXPLORERS. THE FORD TECHNICIAN WAS SHOCKED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVE-ABLE AT ALL GIVEN THE DAMAGE TO THE FAILED STEERING GEAR/RACK. HE EXPLAINED THAT I COULD HAVE EASILY LOST ALL STEERING AND HAD A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN NO ACCIDENTS OR HAD ANY OTHER INCIDENTS THAT COULD ACCOUNT FOR THE FAILURE. THE FORD TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT LOOKS LIKE A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE OEM PARTS. REPLACEMENT PARTS AND LABOR COST APPROXIMATELY $2,100.