NHTSA Complaint #11445683 — 2009 FORD ESCAPE

The steering wheel locks up and I am unable to start the car. Sometimes the ignition will turn and the car will start, but the wheel remains locked up. Eventually the car may start and the wheel will unlock, but I'm afraid it could go out while driving. I have discovered over 650 complaints about the same problem with Fords. I took the car to a mechanic (independent) who diagnosed a defective ignition module and steering column. We ordered the parts and 4 weeks later when they still hadn't arrived (there are no 2009 steering columns out there) I had the car towed to the Ford dealer. They replaced the ignition key cylinder, charged me $550 and said the car was fine. We jumped in the car to drive home and the wheel was again locked. The mechanic came out and told me they would further diagnose the problem and would call me later. It has been 6 weeks that the car has been inoperable. It has 54,000 miles on it. Ford has determined it's a power steering failure and the steering column needs to be replaced. $3500.