NHTSA Complaint #11282511 — 2013 FORD FUSION

"STEERING ASSIST FAULT SERVICE REQUIRED" I HAVE A 2013 FORD FUSION AND THIS LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE LOST ANY AND ALL POWER TO MY STEERING. I CAN STILL DRIVE IT, BUT IT IS VERY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION UNLESS I GIVE IT GAS. I CALLED FORD TO SEE IF THIS WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY NEEDED TO LOOK AT IT BEFORE THEY CAN TELL IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS. THEY ALSO CHARGED ME $150 AND THEN PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT IT NEEDED $4396. HALF OF THAT AMOUNT WAS TO REPLACE THE RACK & PINION. THEY NEVER EVEN TOLD ME IF THERE WERE OTHER RECALLS. AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE "STEERING ASSIST FAULT". I AM 20 YEARS OLD AND I AM IN THE NAVY STATIONED IN NORFOLK, VA. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN MICHIGAN SO IT HAS SEEN WINTERS AND SALT FROM THE ROADS. IS THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT I TOOK MY CAR TO TRYING TO GET OUT OF TAKING CARE OF THE RECALL? I CALLED MY MOTHER IN LAWS MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT HE COULD GET ALL THE PARTS FOR ME HIMSELF FOR LESS THEN $800. BUT I HAVE A $4300 BILL?? I AM ON MILITARY PAY, I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY!