2013 Ford Taurus

During 2 hour highway drive, steering became very loose and fluid while driving at night on highway. Constant adjustments and monitoring required to keep the car in the lane. Nearly home or would have had car towed. Extremely dangerous driving. Started car next day. Warning dash lights and sounds appeared and car was without any power steering. Internet research identified a recall 15V340000 covering cars produced in Chicago until 02/28/2012. VIN number of car shows car was produced in Chicago on 05/26/2012. Call to dealer confirmed recall information. Dealer indicated repair would be 3 to 4 thousand dollars. Local mechanic said it would be 2 to 3 thousand. Part ordered from ford on 10/15/2022 arrived on 12/28/2022.

Purchased vehicle on 10/06/2022. Within a week noticed surging and /or loss of power. I also smelled buring of some sort. Contacted the dealership and tried to make arrangements for car to be diagnosed and repaired. Codes began to show on the dash. When I took it to be read it showed throttle issues. On 10/18/2022 I was at a complete stop at a stop sign. When I released the brake and touched the gas the car unexpectedly sured at high speed on its own. My vehicle hit another vehicle causing major damage to both cars. It was extremely terrifying having my car take off at a high rate of speed without me in control. This now has caused tremendous hardship financially, Emotionally and I now have legal issues due to this accident that was no fault of my own.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving 55-60 MPH, there was play in the steering wheel. Additionally, the steering wheel emitted abnormal grinding sounds and became difficult to maneuver. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the failure persisted. The contact was able to continue driving at slower speeds. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the repair could not be covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

The contact's acquaintance owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while his acquaintance was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn as it would loosen intermittently. The contact stated that his acquaintance informed him that there was play in the steering wheel column. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure could not be duplicated; however, the failure reoccurred intermittently while driving. The contact stated that though he was a former Ford dealer, he could not duplicate the failure. However, the failure occurred intermittently while the contact was test-driving the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that his acquaintance would be liable for the diagnostic test and the repair cost. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that it was not a known issue. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

The problem is I have a faulty backup camera that shows distorted images, the projection on the screen is upside down, and suddenly goes black, displays a warning message with black screen and a triangle caution symbol with exclamation mark. (However, it does not immediately show that warning message). With this back-up camera not properly working it poses a dangerous risk to others and myself. Luckily, I have not hit anyone yet such as a young child, or any individuals. If this were to happen it could cause serious harm and leave an individual with permeant injuries, or even life threating injuries, or death. Since the camera stopped working, I have come awful close to getting into accidents with other vehicles upon backing out of parking spots, backing into the streets, etc. Since then, I had to also replaced my passenger side mirror that I took off when suddenly the camera stopped working when I was backing out of my garage and the picture from camera immediately went black and I panic and took off my passenger side mirror by hitting the side of my garage door opening. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership, to where they repaired the passenger mirror, and I explained to them about the backup camera. The Ford dealership did their inspection and confirmed that the camera is indeed not working properly, and they advised that I needed a new Camera. However, I was told that the camera is on back order, and they have no idea when it will be available. The first time I noticed that the back-up camera was not working was early August 2022, exact date unknown. Up until this happening, things were fine and never had an issue.

I was in a right hand curve and it felt like my wheel flipped to one side. My steering felt loose. I took it to the shop and had them inspect it. Nothing was wrong with my suspension. I continued to drive it. My steering became even more loose and sloppy. I was struggling to stay in my lane due to the loosened steering. I have had it checked many times and nothing. When it rains I am jerked all over the road from water. It feels like my tires are being pulled in opposite directions at the same time while I am slung into on coming traffic.

The vehicle at a high speed the steering column locked and is still locked to this day, was towed home and placed in the driveway till i can afford further repairs on it, seems other years have been recalled for the electronic steering issues but nothing has been shown for my VIN and wondering why its unsafe to drive and currently paying for a car that has a huge issue and makes it unsafe on the road for myself and others and makes it impossible to get to work and i have no warning lights on it was just out of the blue.