(Bloomberg) — The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into an alleged Infiniti EX35 defect after two nearly identical complaints of total steering loss.

In a June 2014 incident, an owner of one of the 2008 crossovers made by Nissan Motor Co. noticed loose steering after an oil change, and reported that the steering column had come apart after the car was parked.

"When separated there is no way to steer the car!" the vehicle owner wrote NHTSA. "This could have happened while driving but luckily did not. This seems to be a serious issue that should be looked into."

The agency opened its defect investigation after only two complaints, indicating the possibility of a serious safety- related defect. The probe covers 17,000 vehicles.

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