NHTSA Complaint #11612295 — 2012 FORD FUSION

One week ago I started experiencing a grinding noise when steering my vehicle, at any speed. The steering also catches in certain positions and becomes difficult to turn. The issue can be isolated to the electronic power steering gear in my vehicle: the grinding persists after disconnecting the tie rods, but disappears after disconnecting the steering column. I have a 2012 Ford Fusion with 104,000 miles on it. It has been well maintained and driven carefully for its whole life with zero accidents or failures. The steering issue appeared suddenly and spontaneously. There are no warning lights, or service codes, but the steering is clearly failing and making the vehicle unsafe to drive. Power steering failures at speed are unsafe and can cause accidents. Recall 15S18 and extended warranty 15N01 specifically address this faulty part in 2011-2012 Ford Fusions and many other vehicles. Because my vehicle is 2 months outside of the manufacture date range, it is not covered by this recall. However, it is built in the same plant with the same faulty part number. This leaves me with either a $2000+ repair, or I can drive with faulty power steering which is not only a major safety issue but one that is known to Ford as well as the NHTSA. Ford is refusing to cover the cost of this repair and additionally want to charge me diagnostic labor which I don't think I should be responsible for. Please look into this issue further and hold manufacturers accountable for replacing their faulty parts. Thank you.