Drove hard from Tampa to Atlanta and disbelieved, at first, a thump sound when changing lanes and foot off accelerator and controlling speed by tapping the brakes. Then traffic became heavy and I came to several stops, often steering simultaneously.. I then distinctly heard the thumping. Not wanting to frighten my wife I said nothing until we were slowing to a stop at the exit near our home. She said she had heard the sound already but during this braking and bearing left we agreed it was getting worse - louder. The engine compartment had to be extremely hot (92 degrees outside and 75 mph for several hours straight) and seems to have added to the extremity of the sound. The next morning I drove again and the steering seems a little strange - somewhat stiff. I googled possible causes of this and stumbled across information about Ford Recall (15s18) and Field Service Action (15n01), some kind of electric controlled steering breakdown.
Maybe this is my issue, maybe not. But who in hell wants their 57 year old wife and 20 month old grandson driving/riding in a car that power steering might suddenly go out. My local service manager said there is no diagnostic for this and nothing can be done until it breaks. Ford customer service recommended a diagnostic (80 to 90 bucks) to see if it might be something else which is reasonable (except the cost). But if nothing shows up during the diagnostic does that mean they will perform the 15s18 recall?
Neither the service manager nor customer service person would say.
Ford should perform all of these vehicle identified recalls. Those in positions of deciding about this certainly would not want those so dear to them in vehicles that the steering might suddenly, unexpectedly be lost.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Drove hard from Tampa to Atlanta and disbelieved, at first, a thump sound when changing lanes and foot off accelerator and controlling speed by tapping the brakes. Then traffic became heavy and I came to several stops, often steering simultaneously.. I then distinctly heard the thumping. Not wanting to frighten my wife I said nothing until we were slowing to a stop at the exit near our home. She said she had heard the sound already but during this braking and bearing left we agreed it was getting worse - louder. The engine compartment had to be extremely hot (92 degrees outside and 75 mph for several hours straight) and seems to have added to the extremity of the sound. The next morning I drove again and the steering seems a little strange - somewhat stiff. I googled possible causes of this and stumbled across information about Ford Recall (15s18) and Field Service Action (15n01), some kind of electric controlled steering breakdown.
Maybe this is my issue, maybe not. But who in hell wants their 57 year old wife and 20 month old grandson driving/riding in a car that power steering might suddenly go out. My local service manager said there is no diagnostic for this and nothing can be done until it breaks. Ford customer service recommended a diagnostic (80 to 90 bucks) to see if it might be something else which is reasonable (except the cost). But if nothing shows up during the diagnostic does that mean they will perform the 15s18 recall?
Neither the service manager nor customer service person would say.
Ford should perform all of these vehicle identified recalls. Those in positions of deciding about this certainly would not want those so dear to them in vehicles that the steering might suddenly, unexpectedly be lost.
- Stephen J., Carrollton, GA, US