NHTSA Complaint #11277939 — 2012 FORD EXPLORER

ON 11-3-2019 AT AROUND 1820 HOURS WHILE DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS, A YELLOW "SERVICE POWER STEERING SOON" LIGHT ILLUMINATED. I ACKNOWLEDGED THE WARNING AND FELT NO CHANGE IN HANDLING AT THE TIME. I CONTINUED DRIVING ABOUT ANOTHER 10 MINUTES TO MY DESTINATION. AS I TURNED INTO A DRIVEWAY I COULD FEEL THE STEERING GET VERY TIGHT AND MENTIONED IT TO MY PASSENGER. I PARKED THE CAR AND RETURNED ABOUT TWO AND A HALF HOURS LATER. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AT THAT TIME, A RED "SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW" WARNING ILLUMINATED. I ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO DO SO WITH GREAT EFFORT. I DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 100 FT AND PARKED IT FOR THE NIGHT UNTIL I CAN GET A TOW TRUCK FOR IT. I WILL BE CONTACTING MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, REDLANDS FORD, WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR ORIGINALLY.