NHTSA Complaint #11280416 — 2015 FORD EXPLORER

I LEFT MY 2015 EXPLORER WITH JUST 31000 MILES ON IT PARKED IN THE GARAGE FOR 10 DAYS. WHEN I STARTED IT AGAIN, THE 'CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM ' LIGHT CAME ON JUST FOR A MOMENT AND CLEANED. I TRIED TO PULL THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. EVENTUALLY IT UNLOCKED. WHEN I STARTED DRIVING IT, A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT NEED TO BE MOVING FOR CONCERN TO HAPPEN. TOOK IT TO CHARLES GABUS FORD IN DES MOINES IOWA, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT A STEERING GEAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED TO ELIMINATE THE NOISE. THEY INSTALLED THE NEW STEERING GEAR, BUT IT COST ME $2234.00. WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP MY CAR FROM THE SHOP, THERE WAS ANOTHER EXPLORER WAITING TO BE PICKED UP AS WELL. I ASKED MY SERVICE ADVISOR WAS WRONG WITH THAT ONE, AND HE TOLD ME 'THE STEERING'. I AM A VERY DISAPPOINTED IN FORD THAT THEY DIDN'T RECALL THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY ON 2015 EXPLORERS YET. THERE ARE TOO MANY COMPLAINS ABOUT IT. MAYBE THEY ARE WAITING FOR SOMEBODY TO GET A VERY BADLY INJURED OR KILLED TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.