1999 Mercury Sable steering problems

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE WAGON. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11289653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND MADE IT VERY HARD TO STEER ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HAVE A ACCIDENT AFTER COMING TO A STOP THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OFF CENTER AND VERY HARD TO TURN HAD TO GET CAR TOWED.I FIND THIS TO BE A COMPLETE RIP OFF BECAUSE I SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF STEERING PROBLEMS OF THE SAME MATTER

NHTSA complaint #11289660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

THE STEERING IS HORIBLE, ABOUT 3YEARS AGO CHANGED RACK APPION STEERING, AND JUST A WEEK AGO, PUT NEW STEERING PUMP ON, STILL.

NHTSA complaint #10836880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE SECOND POWER STEERING PUMP , IT IS HORRIBLE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL MOST OF THE TIME. ALSO, IT IS NOISY WHILE I'M DRIVING IT. IT HAD A NEW RACK AND PINION ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT . PARKING IN A PARKING LOT IS AWFUL AS IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER AROUND OTHER CARS. TURNING CORNERS ,SOMETIMES IT'S OKAY AND OTHER TIMES REALLY HARD. NOT SURE IF THIS COMPLAINT BELONGS HERE, BUT HEATER DOESN'T WORK ,EITHER. FEELS LIKE A/C IS ON . HAD A FRIEND CHECK IT AND HE IS HAVING A HARD TIME FIGURING IT OUT. DON'T KNOW HOW TO ANSWER "DATE HAPPENED" AS IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN AUGUST.

NHTSA complaint #10806809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

WHEN I DRIVE MY VEHICLE THROUGH ANY PUDDLE OF WATER, THE POWER STEERING FAILS, THE CAR CAN NOT BE DRIVEN, AND THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS; THE STEERING FAILS AS YOU TRY TO MAKE A TURN!!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10163956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

THE STEERING GEAR ASSY BROKE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. WE DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE MERC DEALER. THE MECHANIC WOULD NOT EVEN TEST DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE HE SAID IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #10163307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

NOISY POWER STEERING PUMP & LOSS POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING RACK AND PINION WERE REPLACED ON OUR 1999 SABLE WHEN IT HAD 56,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10144908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

STEERING VERY NOISY AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. YOU PRACTICALLY HAVE TO ENTER THE OTHER LANE TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AT A CORNER. THIS IS NOT GOOD.

NHTSA complaint #10118310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

THE VEHICLE WAS LOOSING POWER STEERING FLUID THROUGH THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FLUID WAS LEAKING THROUGH THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY. *AK THE TURNING RADIUS WAS NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN WITHOUT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ENTERING THE LEFT LANE OF TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD BEING TURNED ONTO. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10114986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

WHEN I DRIVE IN THE RAIN OR THROUGH A PUDDLE, THE STEERING COMPLETELY FAILS AND MY BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON. TWICE I HAVE COME SEVERELY CLOSE TO CRASHING MY CAR AS A RESULT OF LOSS OF STEERING COMPLETELY!

NHTSA complaint #10108283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

REPORT OF CATASROPIC FAILURE OF STERING SYSTEM ON 1999 MECURY SABLE / RACK AND PINION GEAR FRACTURE/ SEEMS THERE IS MAJOR DEFALT WITH STERING SYSTEM, TOTAL CRACK IN FRAME /GEAR SYSTEM, ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED, DIDNT SEE ANY RECALLS, MECHANIC WHO FIXED SAY THIS NEED TO BE REPORTED TO MANAFUTURE, MILAGE IS 100K, NO ACCIDENTS IN VEHICLE, JUST FAILED WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10106056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AFTER DRIVING MY 1999 MERCURY SABLE STATION WAGON IN MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN, I LOSE POWER STEERING DURING TURNS. THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT ALSO COMES ON. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO EXCESSIVE BELT SLIPPAGE FROM WATER. IT GOES AWAY IF I STOP FOR A FEW SECONDS TO LET THE BELT REGAIN TRACTION. THIS CONDITION OCCURS UNEXPECTEDLY IS A RISK TO LOSS OF CONTROL DURING THE PERIOD OF TIME WITHOUT POWER STEERING.

NHTSA complaint #10102810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

REAR RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA RECALL 99V25000. ALSO, RACK AND PINION STEERING HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF A SEAL LEAK.*AK

NHTSA complaint #10101044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER HEARD A WINDING COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, LIFTED UP THE HOOD, AND NOTICED POWER STEERING FLUID WAS DRY INSIDE OF THE CANISTER PUMP. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR STEERING FLUID. THEN, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT RACK PINION FAILED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT PROBLEM RECURRED.

NHTSA complaint #10089469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL FEELS REAL LOOSE, ND MAKES A LOUD NOISE. DEALER REPLACED THE TIE ROD AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE OF $200. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10087493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

VEHICLE IS 1999 MERCURY SABLE,POWER STEERING PUMP STARTED MAKING NOISE. EXAMINING PUMP SHOWED NO LEAKS ALTHOUGH FLUID WAS LOW. FLUID ADDED TO PROPER LEVEL. WITHIN DRIVING 2 MILES PUMP AGAIN MADE NOISE. BACKING UP CAR ALLOWED VISUAL CONFIRMATION OF FLUID LEAK ON GROUND. ALTHOUGH SOME FLUID WAS IN STEERING PUMP, POWER ASSIST WAS LOST WHILE DRIVING MAKING THE CAR HARD TO STEER AND CONTROL. TRIP TO MECHANIC REVEALED RACK AND PINION FAILURE AND MASSIVE FLUID LEAK. MILAGE ON VEHICLE IS 67,100 MILES. MECHANIC FEELS PREMATURE FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURED AT 67K MILES. PRICE TO REPLACE IS APPROX $500 TO $800 SHOULD HYDRAULIC HOSES ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10081232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

THE STEERING RACK FAILED WITH NOT VISIBLE INDICATION OF FLUID LOSS. THE PLUG ON THE RACK BLEW-OUT WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE STEERING TO BECOME MANUAL REQUIRING VEHICLE TOWING. THE CAR HAS BEEN DUTIFULLY MAINTAINED WITH NO INDICATION OF FAILURE WHEN INSPECTED. FORD MOTOR CO. HAS DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY.

NHTSA complaint #10061971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK

A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE REAR OF VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING FLUID. THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE A CRACKED STEERING RACK AND WAS REPLACED. *JB *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10015443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

DEFECTIVE RACK AND PINION STEERING CAUSED NOISE WHILE DRIVING. *AK *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10011437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED. CAUSING POWER STEERING PUMP TO BOIL OVER CONTINOUSLY. MAKING YOU THINK THAT THE PUMP WAS BAD.

NHTSA complaint #10005234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

VEHICLE'S STEERING GEAR HAS MALFUNCTIONED 3 TIMES AND MADE LOUD HOWLING NOISES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *TS *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10004338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

CONSUMER STATES THAT POWER STEERING FAILED. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALER WHO DETERMINED NEEDS NEW RACK AND PINION. CONSUMER STATED UNSAFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE BECAUSE TURNING CAPABILITY IS GREATLY REDUCED.

NHTSA complaint #8019264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN AND THE POWER STEERING BECAME STIFF AND HARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY FOUND THAT POWER STEERING COLUMN MODULE DEVELOPED A LEAK. *AK *SCC

NHTSA complaint #8018209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

WHILE TURNING STEERING WHEEL THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. MECHANIC STATED THEATPOWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED.

NHTSA complaint #8013975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, POWER STEERING WENT OUT. UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE.*AK DEALER REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP, STEERING RACK AND IDLER PULLEY.

NHTSA complaint #8012900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

1) RACK & PIONION ROD: AT APPROXIMATELY 55000 MILES, THE RACK AND PINION SEAL BLEW OUT. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL AND RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO VIABLE REASON FOR THIS COMPONENET TO FAIL. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY KIND OF AN ACCIDENT. REPAIRS WERE APPROXIMATELY $700. 2) FRONT AXLE/ABS: A PROBLEM WITH BRAKING BEGAN AND RESULTED IN BRAKES SLIPPING AND VIBRATING, CAUSING A SOUND OF METAL ON METAL. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RING/GEAR ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE AXEL WAS ORIGINALLY INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. THE GEAR SHOULD BE APPROXIMATELY 3/8" FROM THE BOLTS FOR THE FRONT WHEELS. HOWEVER, IN THIS INSTANCE, THE GEAR HAS BEEN GRINDING AWAY THE BOLTS. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF THE GEAR "SLIPPING" IT IS AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN THE SAME SPOT. THIS CAUSES METAL SHAVINGS TO FALL ONTO THE ABS SENSOR AND RESULTS IN THE ABS NOT WORKING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH DUE TO THE ABS NOT WORKING. FORD DOES NOT SEEM TO WANT TO FIX THIS ITEM EVEN THOUGH IT IS CLEAR THAT THE CAR ORIGINALLY CAME FROM THE MANUFACTURER WITH THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #758023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

RACK AND PINION FAILED CAUSING POWER STEERING TO FAIL MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHILE NO ACCIDENT OCCURED, IT WAS BY LUCK.

NHTSA complaint #757478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

RACK AND PINION FAILED CAUSING POWER STEERING TO FAIL MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHILE NO ACCIDENT OCCURED, IT WAS BY LUCK.

NHTSA complaint #757478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #742089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.