2015 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT Steering Problems

Steering knuckle developed a crack through what appears to be defective casting of the part. Crack was noticed prior to separation of steering assembly. This could have created and extreme hazard if not noticed prior to total failure.

The steering rack is not moving freely. Struts, tie rods and U joint are moving freezing but the steering rack is not. This is a huge safety concern because if the steering rack were to lock up and then allow me, the driver, to turn the wheel, that would absolutely cause me to crash. My local automotive service has diagnosed the problem

THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO TURN DIRECTIONS. I WAS LEAVING A CUSTOMER HOME AND THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING JUST STOP OPERATING. THIS VEHICLE HAS ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOUR STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY FAILS TO CONTROL YOUR CAR WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING? WITH THE STEERING WHEEL CRANKED AS FAR AS IT WOULD GO, MY CAR CONTINUED GOING STRAIGHT AS I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. I STOPPED THE CAR COMPLETELY, BLOCKING TRAFFIC. THEN I SLOWLY DROVE FORWARD WITH NO CONTROL OVER STEERING. THANKFULLY, THE CAR ENDED UP IN A SUITABLE PARKING SPACE, BUT NOT DUE TO MY EFFORTS. I HAD NO MEANS WITH WHICH TO AIM THE CAR. ALL I COULD DO WAS CALL FOR SOMEONE TO GO GET ME. ONE DAY EARLIER, THIS CAR WAS ON AN INTERSTATE DRIVING AT 70 MPH. I SHUDDER TO THINK ABOUT THE HARM THIS WOULD HAVE CAUSED IF IT HAD HAPPENED 24 HOURS EARLIER! FORD'S ONLINE DOCUMENTATION REFERS TO "LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST." THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENED. I LOST ALL CONTROL OVER STEERING WITH A STEERING WHEEL...

WE'VE ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 6 MONTHS AND HAVE HAD TIRE REPLACEMENTS, TRANSMISSION ISSUES, PEDAL RECALL, AND THE DOORS UNOPENING TWICE (RECALL)