ATLANTA — Channel 2 consumer investigator Jim Strickland has learned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating whether a recall repair on more than 700,000 Ford Escape SUVs solves the problem.
The owner of an Escape in Sandy Springs told Strickland the recall work on his power steering only created the problem it was supposed to fix.
"I am very cautious and no, I don't feel comfortable with my family driving this car," Kevin Bondell said.
Bondell and other owners of 2008 to 2011 Ford Escapes need repairs to fix the possibility the power steering will suddenly stop operating.
"There was no problem with the power steering until after we brought the car in for the recall procedure," he said. "Here I am several months later, and now the power steering has gone out on the vehicle twice."
Documents Strickland obtained from NHTSA list more than 100 similar complaints.
Nalley Ford told Bondell he needs a whole new steering column, but Ford had not authorized any more free repairs.
"When I brought the car in to be fixed, I assumed it would be fixed," Bondell said.
Strickland emailed his Ford contact just after 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning and received word before 1:30 p.m.
"We apologize for the miscommunication. We contacted the dealer to let them know the repair for this issue will be done at no cost to Mr. Bondell," wrote spokesperson Kelli Felker.
Ford said it will handle these complaints on a case by case basis, and will fully cooperate with the NHTSA investigation of its recall repair.
WJAX
