NHTSA Complaint #11448219 — 2010 FORD ESCAPE

On 12/16/2019, I took my 2010 Ford Escape, [XXX] to Kelly Ford, Beverly, MA for recall 14S05. Electric Power Steering could fail, due to a faulty Torque Sensor. Mileage was 84,977. I was told that dealer found that new Torque Sensor was not needed. System was reprogrammed. After this I experienced intermittent failure of the electric power steering. Brought vehicle to Kelly Ford 1/29/2020. Mileage was 85,811. They could not duplicate the steering failure. On 1/16/2022, the power steering has completely failed, & a power steering assist fault message has appeared. Mileage is now 91,945 Two Ford dealers told me that Ford will likely not cover the repair, since the recall was “closed” after they saw the vehicle. I called Ford customer service 1/19/2022, & was told the same. She said that Ford does not open recalls. I think this is wrong, since the problematic Torque Sensor was not replaced during my recall visit. This repair could exceed $2K, since the steering column must now be replaced. I think that Ford should be held responsible to repair my vehicle correctly. Especially since the vehicle can no longer be safely driven. Ford states that upon failure, vehicle will revert to manual steering mode. NOT TRUE. When power steering fails, it is much harder to turn than a manual steering equipped vehicle, & therefore unsafe to drive. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).