2003 Mercury Grand Marquis steering problems

“I am the owner of a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. Several weeks ago the power steering on the vehicle quit. This was not the result of the power steering pump. The linkage in the steering system had ceased, causing the vehicle to be dangerously unsteerable. I have had this repaired at a cost of $575 dollars. I believe this is a safety issue that need immediate investigation and a safety recall. I contacted Ford Motor Company and was sent to Chat contact Shakura who gave me the Corporate runaround. We were lucky as this happened on a side road at low speed. If it had happened on an Interstate with speeds of 65 to 80 MPH I feel this could have resulted in a major accident. I should also point out this steering item is in Ford Crown Victorias and more than likely in Lincoln Continentals. Please advise and contact me with questions. Thank you in advance as this need to be resolved.”

“FORD PANTHER VEHICLES HAD RECIRCULATING BALL STEERING UNTIL 2002, REDESIGNED TO RACK AND PINION STEERING IN 2003. FORD ISSUED RECALL 13S08 FOR SEVERE CORROSION THAT CAN SEIZE THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WHICH MAY CAUSE THE UPPER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT TO COLLAPSE AND THE STEERING COLUMN LOWER BEARING TO SEPARATE, COVERING 2005-2012 VEHICLES BUT NOT 2003 AND 2004 VEHICLES HAVING SAME PARTS AND SYMPTOMS. STEERING HAS BECOME EXTREMELY STIFF, STEERING WHEEL NOT RETURNING TO STRAIGHT AHEAD ON ITS OWN, AND DIFFICULT TO STEER AT ALL SPEEDS. FORD DEALER LUBRICATED LOWER STEERING SHAFT 2 MONTHS AGO, BUT SYMPTOMS RETURNED IN 2,000 MILES. THESE SYMPTOMS ARE CONCERN FOR REAL DANGER OF COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING.”

“WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AND MAKING A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION, AT THE POINT THE STEERING WHEEL HAS TURNED 180 DEGREES AND IS NOW UPSIDE DOWN FROM "NORMAL POSITION", IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE STEERING WHEEL IS GOING TO COME OFF!!! IT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH IN THE UPSIDE DOWN POSITION. ALSO.... AT TIMES IT FEELS HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THIS PROBLEM APPARENTLY COMES FROM THE UPPER AND LOWER STEERING SHAFTS WHERE THE U-JOINT CONNECTS THE TWO STEERING SHAFTS. IF I SLATHER GREASE ON THE SHAFTS AND WORK THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH ABOUT 30 TIMES, THE "TOUGH STEERING" OR THE FEELING OF NO POWER STEERING SUBSIDES, BUT COMES BACK IN ANYWHERE FROM 1 WEEK TO A MONTH! I CAN BE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND ALL AT ONCE I CAN NOT CHANGE LANES, WHICH IS VERY SCARY AT TIMES!!! WHEN THIS HAPPENS AT 65 MPH IT IS ALMOST TIMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE CAR!!! IT IS ALSO VERY DANGEROUS MAKING A TURN AT 10-20 MPH AS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, THE POWER STEERING QUITS WORKING AND I ALMOST RAM THE CAR SITTING AT THE STOP LIGHT BECAUSE THE CAR WON'T MAKE THE COMPLETE TURN!!! MANY TIMES, I HAVE HAD TO STOP DEAD TO KEEP FROM HITTING THE CAR AS I AM TRYING TO TURN RIGHT, AND THEN…”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD SEIZE. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. *BF CONSUMER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE.*JB”

“STEERING REQUIRED SIGNIFICANT EFFORT TO TURN STEERING PAST APPROXIMATELY 30-45 DEGREES AT THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE UPPER AND LOWER STEERING COLUMNS. LESS THAN ONE MONTH AFTER REPLACEMENT, STEERING NOW HAS A "JUMP" AND A "CLUNK" AT THE SAME POSITION IN THE STEERING WHEEL ROTATION. THESE ISSUES WHERE NOTICED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. IF STATIONARY, IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET THE STEERING TO TURN AT ALL BEYOND 30-45 DEGREES.”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT AND LEFT, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION, STEERING PUMP, AND THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”