NHTSA Complaint #11482186 — 2013 LINCOLN MKT

For a number of years, since purchasing vehicle new, the "Power Steering Assist Fault" light would come on upon engine startup. The MKT had only about 20,000 miles on it. I had NO POWER STEERING. Per different Lincoln mechanics, the "remedy" was to turn the car off & then restart it to clear light & restore power steering. This worked every time until this past week when after several attempts resulted in still NO POWER STEERING. I was forced to drive for 3 hrs back home with No Power Steering. I've called (2) two different Lincoln dealerships, only to be told this isn't covered under recall R15S18 & would cost approx $3,000 to repair. Why wasn't this VIN# part of the Recall? I called Ford/Lincoln & was told NHTSA decides which vehicle VIN#s are recalled, BUT, when I called NHTSA they told me specific Vehicle VIN# Recalls are designated by the Manf'r. WHAT?? NHTSA told me specific paperwork is on the site stated Manf'r responsibilty on VIN# Recalls. This Steering Problem should be repaired by Lincoln at NO Charge ! As a side note, I have NEVER received a Recall Notice on any item listed on the NHTSA site related to my 2013 Lincoln MKT, nor can I find a copy of a Recall notice specifically for a 2013 Lincoln MKT on the NHTSA website. Even though the 2013 MKT is listed on the actual Ford/Lincoln Recall Notice #, letters are only addressed to other Ford/Lincoln models