What 1,191 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Ford Explorer Police Intercept

WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WHEN I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL AND HAD THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT ALERT COME ON THE DASHBOARD.

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THE STEERING FAILED WITH ASSOCIATED STEERING FAIL MESSAGE WHILE MAKE A LOW SPEED TURN MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.I DELIVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AS I DISCOVERED THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL (14S06 & 15N01) ON IT FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE VIN WAS SUBJECT TO THESE RECALLS, FORD DENIED THE RECALL COVERAGE AS THE MILEAGE EXCEEDED PROGRAM TERMS BY 7,000 MILES. FURTHER REVIEW OF FORDS LETTER TO DEALERS DATED MAY 17, 2019, THE LETTER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE COVERED "REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE OR WARRANTY. THIS WAS STATED IN SUPPLEMENT #3 TO THE SAFETY RECALL 14S06.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT THE SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. STERLING MCCALL FORD LOCATED AT 6445 SOUTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77074, (281) 588-5000, WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

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VEHICLE TURNS OFF AUTOMATICALLY WHILE IN MOTION. COMPLETE SHUT OFF

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THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL FOR FORD EXPLORES 2011-2013. THE RECALL IS LISTED AS 14S06. I WAS TOLD BY FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT COVERED IN THAT RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO APPEAL THAT. IN JANUARY 2020 MY POWER STEERING FAILED AND MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SHOP AND THE STEERING RACK AND ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS COST ABOUT 3K IN OUT OF POCKET COSTS FOR ME TO REPAIR. LESS THEN 3 MONTHS LATER MY POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. THIS RESULTED IN MY VEHICLE HAVING TO BE TOWED TO THE SHOP AGAIN I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AND IT WAS ANOTHER ALMOST $400 FOR THEM TO UPDATE THE MODULE. ALL OF THE ABOVE ISSUES ARE THE SAME ISSUES LISTED IN THE RECALL UNDER 14S06. THE ONLY ISSUE IS MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. I'D LIKE TO APPEAL THE DECISION THAT DID NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE IN THE VIN LISTING FOR THIS RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327084

WHEN TURN CAR ON POWER STEERING FAULT LIGHT COMES ON AND I CAN NOT TURN STEERING WHEEL. LIKE IT IS LOCKED UP. TRY NUMEROUS TIMES BY TURNING CAR OFF AND NOTHING CHANGES. I WAS IN MY WORK PARKING LOT TRYING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING LOT WHEN IT HAPPENED. *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 8 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, AND WHEN RESTARTED THE POWER STEERING FAULT MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO MURRAY FORD OF KINGSLAND (2030 GA-40, KINGSLAND, GA 31548). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS PREVIOUSLY COVERED UNDER A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM HOWEVER, THE MILEAGE WAS EXCEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,980.

NHTSA ODI 11321714

POWER UNIT ASSIST FAULT. POWER STEERING FAILED WITH MY WIFE DRIVING AND SHE WAS LUCKY TO NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL BUT FOR SOME REASON OUR VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. IT IS THE EXACT ISSUE AS SPECIFED IN THE RECALL. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON BACK FROM THE STORE WHEN THIS FAILED. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WITH SOME EFFORT AND NOTICED THE FAULT LIGHT ON THE DASH. SHE CALLED ME AND I TOLD HER TO STOP AND RESTART THE CAR. SHE DID BUT THE FAULT STILL SHOWS. THE CAR IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION AND A SAFETY HAZARD.

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LACK OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, THE STEERING EFFORT IS GREATER, ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS. AFTER AN APPOINTMENT (FOR RECALL) THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETE LACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND NOT DRIVABLE AND THEY'RE ASKING FOR 5.0 HOURS OF DIAGNOSTIC.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH, UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SAFELY HOME. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT AT A DEALER (FINLEY MOTORS 942 3RD ST SE, MAYVILLE, ND 58257). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 170,000.

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EXPERIENCED LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING ON WINDING MOUNTAIN ROAD WITHIN 11 MONTHS OF HAVING RECALL 14S06 PERFORMED ON VEHICLE. WAS INFORMED BY FORD SERVICE THAT CAUSE WAS FAILURE OF PART REPLACED TO RESOLVE RECALL 14S06.

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WE'VE HAD OUR 2011 FORD EXPLORER FOR LESS THAN A YEAR. WE BOUGHT IT USED WITH APPROXIMATELY 130,000 MILES ON IT, IT NOW CURRENTLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000 MILES. WE WERE ABOUT TO LEAVE OUR HOUSE, SO THE EXPLORER WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME. I STARTED IT UP AND IMMEDIATELY AN ERROR POPPED UP ON THE DASH FOR "POWER STEERING FAULT" AND "ADVANCETRAC" WARNING. I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, BUT WITHOUT POWER STEERING I WOULD BE PUTTING MY FAMILY AND MYSELF IN DANGER. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. IF MY WIFE WERE OUT DRIVING AND THIS HAPPENED, IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD FOR HER AND MY KIDS. WE SET UP AN APPOINTMENT THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN OUR TOWN, THEY FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND TOLD US THAT IT WOULD COST ~$2100. I TOLD THEM IT SHOULD BE COVERED BECAUSE OF A RECALL I FOUND ONLINE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME TO CALL FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. MY WIFE CALLED AND THEY TOLD HER THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I PROCEEDED TO CALL BACK THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPOKE TO A REP. AFTER GETTING THE RUN AROUND HE FINALLY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER TO GIVE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, EXPRESSING THAT THIS WOULD BE FULLY COVERED UNDER A FIELD SERVICE ACTION #: 15N01 FOR EPAS STEERRING EFFORTS, WITH NO COST TO ME. I GAVE THE CASE NUMBER TO THE FORD SERVICE REP. TODAY I GET A CALL BACK THAT THE CASE NUMBER IS DECLINED BY FORD BECAUSE OUR VEHICLE HAS OVER 150,000 MILES ON IT. WE NEVER GOT A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL OR A CALL FROM FORD MENTIONING THE RECALL BEFORE THE 150,000 MILE DEADLINE. WE'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND STILL OWE $8000 ON IT, AND FORD WANTS $2100 TO REPAIR A PART THAT THEY KNEW WAS A COMMON PROBLEM.

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POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING. VEHICLE CONSOLE DISPLAYED 'POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT'. FORD DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPAIR SINCE OUR VEHICLE WAS OVER 150,000 MILES. MILEAGE WAS 175,000 WHEN IT STOPPED WORKING.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF AND RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED BEDFORD FORD LINCOLN (6985 LINCOLN HWY, BEDFORD, PA 15522, (814) 623-8154) AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,494.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JONES FORD CASA GRANDE (1932 N PINAL AVE, CASA GRANDE, AZ 85122, (520) 836-3100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS MIXING WITH THE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE POWER STEERING WAS LOCKING CONSISTENTLY, AND THE INTERLOCK AND ADVANCETRAC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THE GEARS AND ALIGNMENT WERE RESET. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT AN UNKNOWN PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL FILTER NECK ASSEMBLY ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE EVAPORATOR CANISTER WAS REPLACED AND THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK WAS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED BY FORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.

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LOSS POWER STEERING, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BACK UP FROM PARKING SPACE. COULD NOT STEER WHEEL IN THE DIRECTION TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE.

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TL* THE CONTACT'S WIFE OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TO RANDALL FORD (5500 ROGERS AVE, FORT SMITH, AR 72903, (479) 452-1311). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE REPROGRAMMING THE MODULE, AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER THE WARRANTY MILEAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID OUT OF POCKET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

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LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS CONCERN FOR MY MODEL YEAR BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY IN REVERSE, "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" APPEARED ON THE MESSAGE CENTER AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ABILITY. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO ROUSH FORD (5575 KEIM CIR, COLUMBUS, OH 43228) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY AT 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO PARK FORD (400 WEST AVE, TALLMADGE, OH 44278, (330) 633-6222) WHERE THEY WANTED TO CHARGE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V435000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE DEALER DID NOT MENTION THIS TO THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,060.

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I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK FOR RUFFLY 3YRS. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH IT IMMEDIATELY.... I WAS DRIVING TO THE MAIL BOX AFTER GETTING HOME FROM ABOUT A 30MIN TRIP. THE WHOLE CAR CUT OFF LIGHTS WERE DIM IN THE CAR, STEERING HAD LOCKED VERY HARD TO TURN... AUTOMAX IN KILLEEN TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. HAD THE NEW PURCHASED TRUCK FOR A MONTH AND 2 DAYS. THEIR SERVICE TEAM TOLD ME IT WAS THE BATTERY. I FELT OTHER WISE AND NO LONGER WANTED THE CAR. BUT OF COURSE BY THIS TIME ALL PAPERWORK HAD WENT THROUGH TO THE BANK......DROVE THE TRUCK FINE FOR ABOUT 8MONTHS, THEN BROKE DOWN THE SAME WAY AS THE VERY FIRST TIME BUT ON A BRIDGE THIS TIME...... THIS TIME AROUND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ENGINE, GOT A SECOND OPINION, SAID PERSON SAID WATER PUMP. I FIXED THE WATER PUMP. NOW GUESS WHAT??? ITS ACTUALLY THE ENGINE.... I AM BLOWN AWAY BY HOW MANY PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS FORD EXPLORER..... I THOUGHT I WAS MAKING A GREAT PURCHASE GOING WITH A FORD. THIS TRUCK SAT IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR A YEAR WHILE IN NURSING SCHOOL..... I AM LOST AND AT MY WITS END..... WHEN I LOOK FOR RECALLS ALL I AM SEEING IS SUSPENSION ISSUES OR TOWING.... WHEN I TALK TO MECHANICS THEY SAY THESE MODELS ARE KNOW FOR BAD ENGINES, THUS IS ANOTHER REASON WHY THE 2011 FORD EXPLORER ENGINES ARE MORE EXPENSIVE..... I AM LOOKING FOR HELP. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THESE SAME ISSUES. I OWE 14000 STILL ON THIS TRUCK AND HOW COULD IT NEED A NEW ENGINE ALREADY?

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POWER STEERING HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN RECALLED, SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED BUT THEN ULTIMATELY POWER STEERING FAILED, FORD SENT OUT SUPPLEMENTAL RECALL AND EXTENDED WARRANTY TO REPAIR STEERING ISSUES YET THAT IS DISREGARDED AFTER 10YRS OR 150,000 MILES WHICHEVER COMES FIRST FOR THE VEHICLE. I, LIKE MANY, EXPERIENCED FAILURE AFTER 150,000 MILES, 156K TO BE EXACT. IT'S PATHETIC THAT FORD WILL NOT BACK THEIR OWN VEHICLES PAST 150,000 MILES. ASIDE FROM THE STEERING FAILURE OUR CURRENT 2011 EXPLORER LOOKS BRAND NEW, IT'S A SHAME THAT FORD TURNS THEIR BACKS TO YOU AND LAYS THE REPAIR COST ON THE CONSUMER KNOWING THAT IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR SOME TIME. I SPOKE WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO NO AVAIL, THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FOR YOU PAST 150,000. SADLY THIS IS MY WIFE'S VEHICLE THAT TRANSPORTS OUR KIDS. FORD KNOWINGLY PUTS CONSUMERS IN DANGER BY NOT HONORING THEIR RECALLS OR EXTENDING THEM FOR THE LIFETIME THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN USE. EVEN AFTER THE FIRST SOFTWARE UPDATE THEY PERFORMED ON THE CAR THE POWER STEERING WOULD NOT TURN ON HERE AND THERE, EVENTUALLY IT STOPPED TURNING ON ENTIRELY. FORD IS NOT BUILT TOUGH LIKE THEY PREACH, THEY ARE BUILT POORLY AND THEIR BACKS ARE TURN TOWARDS THE CONSUMERS WHEN ISSUES ARISE. SUCH A FRUSTRATING EXPERIENCE.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND 'REPAIR POWER STEERING NOW' ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CHASTANG FORD (6200 N LOOP E FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77026, (832) 460-5343) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED DUE TO MILEAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,754.

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WE HAD JUST GOT TO CHURCH'S AND AFTER WE WERE DONE AND WALKED TO THE PARKING LOT WHERE OUR VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE STEERING POWER ASSISTANCE FAULT (IN SPANISH) WARNING POP UP AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME SUPER STIFF/HARD TO MOVED MY HUSBAND TRIED TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES BUT NOTHING WE HAD TO TOW OUR VEHICLE HOME AND NOW IT'S USELESS. THIS WARNING MESSAGE POPS UP EVERY NOW AND THEN AND BY JUST TURNING THE CAR OFF/ON A COUPLE OF TIMES IT GOES AWAY BUT THIS TIME IT DIDN'T. PLEASE FIX THIS

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