NHTSA Complaint #11382943 — 2016 FORD EXPLORER

I STARTED HEARING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE IN EITHER DIRECTION IN REVERSE LAST WEEK. I TOOK A LITTLE TRIP ON DEC. 5 2020, GOING UP TO THE MOUNTAINS. IT GOT WORSE WHILE STEERING MY VEHICLE ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT ON DECEMBER 7 TO THE LOCAL DEALER. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH WHEN THE STEERING STARTED TO LOCK UP AND ALMOST CAUSED A COLLISION.THAT'S WHEN WE DECIDED IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE SO WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ASAP AND WAS HANDED A REPAIR COST OF 2620.00 TO REPAIR STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY . THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 47,700 MILES ON MY 2016 FORD EXPLORE XLT. IT IS NOW AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ON DECEMBER 9, 2020 AWAITING COMPLETION OF REPAIR AS VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVE-ABLE UNTIL REPAIRED. MY WIFE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING WHEN SHE ENCOUNTERED ERRATIC BEHAVIOR FROM THE STEERING WHEEL GOING 50MPH. MY PARTS TOTAL FOR REPAIR IS 1,840.44 WITH LABOR TOTAL IS 2,620.00 WITH PARTS.