The agency has received at least 508 complaints alleging loss of power-steering assist, resulting in increased steering effort and increasing the risk of a crash. The Office of Defects Investigation cites four known crashes blamed on the problem, but no fatal accidents or injuries.
“I was turning out of my street approx. 5 mph in my 2010 Ford Fusion and … the steering wheel got very stiff,” one complaint reads. “I could not turn, making me hit a concrete barrier. Car had no warnings before steering went out.”
Other owners voiced frustration that they were facing repair bills exceeding $1,500 for an out-of-warranty problem. Dealers are also said to be having trouble pinning down the behavior to the failure of any specific part, leading some to recommend replacing the entire steering rack.
The issue is believed to be limited to the 2010 through 2012 model years, including hybrid variants. All of the vehicles included in the inquiry use an electric power-steering system.
Ford has not yet publicly reacted to the investigation.
Leave a Reply