NHTSA Complaint #11488243 — 2011 FORD EXPLORER

Hello, FORD in Woodbridge VA. I was driving with my daughter home. And all of a sudden the steering wheel locked or got really hard to turn. I was just a block away from home thank God so I immediately pulled over. The warning sign that came up said power steering. It was after hours so the next morning i called Ford to take my vehicle in for the recall and dropped it off. * I was told that although it's a recall it had expired so my claim was denied and the cost of repairs is $2700. I am outraged that a manufacture safety issue that's out of my control has an EXPIRATION date. There should NOT be expiration on something that has a recall on it. Not only did they tell me it's expired, regards to the repair, no discount was offered knowing they have that issues and when asked if I would be able to get a loaner veh during repairs they stated they couldn't provide me a loaner if my vehicle was under repairs as they don't provide loaners. When I asked for that in writing they then stated they just didn't have any loaners available. I could of killed someone, my myself or my child at how the steering wheel tightenocked up during my driving. My child has cerbal palsy, disabled and has therapy appts and certain needs each day that required me to have transportation. if my vehicle is under repairs, whether for recall or not I should be provided a loaner vehicle. I am not asking for coverage on wear and tear . Coverage on cosmetics. This is a known issue and I am being punished cuz it's "expired"? My car is in decent condition. Even though the car is over 10 year old, I have not had this vehicle for 10 years. It shouldn't be a expiration on major safety issues. And if 10 years is the date it should be 10 years from ownership. I haven't owned this vehicle for 10 years. This is not okay to charge money for issues the manufacturer know is a safety issue.