NHTSA Complaint #11372381 — 2010 FORD TAURUS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH, THE SERVICE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST STEERING (EPAS) SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND UNPLUGGED THE BATTERY FOR THE COMPUTER SYSTEM TO RESET HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. MTN VIEW FORD (301 E 20TH ST, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37408, (423) 756-1331) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING COLUMN, AND RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.