NHTSA Complaint #11298305 — 2009 FORD ESCAPE

I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY, TURNING LEFT WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL FROZE AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN. I BARELY GOT MYSELF TO A SAFE PLACE TO PARK MY CAR AND WAS LUCKY TO NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP/ REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THEY HAD TO FIX THE STEERING COLUMN TOO. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2008-20011 FORD ESCAPES FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE!! HOWEVER WHEN I CALLED FORD TO SET THINGS RIGHT THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL. THE PREVIOUS OWNER GOT A SOFTWARE UPDATE THOUGH THIS WAS ONLY 1 OF 3 FIXES THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE DONE. FORD KNOWS THEY HAVE UNSAFE CARS ON THE ROAD AND YET THEY TELL THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR THEIR IMPROPER AND FAULTY PRODUCT. I DON'T SEE WHY I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS WHEN THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE THAT WAS RECALLED; AN ISSUE THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR. FORD IS CHOOSING TO NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE TO MYSELF, MY FAMILY AND THOSE ON THE ROAD. HOW CAN YOU GET AROUND NOT FIXING YOUR RECALL? HOW IS THAT LEGAL?