NHTSA Complaint #11462955 — 2011 FORD FUSION

After starting the vehicle, I was pulling out of my parking space when the steering wheel locked up. It required more effort on the steering wheel to turn the wheels so I could maneuver the vehicle through the parking lot. About that same time, I noticed a message come up in the information center in the instrument cluster that read, "Check Steering System". After moving through the parking lot for a minute, the steering assist returned and the steering wheel was no longer locked up. If a car had pulled out in front of me unexpectedly (which is a common occurrence where I live) while my steering assist was out, I would not have been able to avoid the impact. I found out through research through All Data there is a RECALL on the steering gear for my vehicle. I DID NOT RECIEVE A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THIS DEFECT, which according to the recall I found, should have been mailed to me. I took the vehicle to the Ford dealership and they told me my vehicle was 1 year too old and 20,000 miles over the age and mileage limit to have the recall performed. They also wanted to charge me over $2500.00 to replace the steering gear. Since then, the steering wheel is locking up more frequently which is making me feel less and less safe while driving.