2004 Mercury Grand Marquis steering problems

“The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was loose and made an abnormal sound while turning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the steering shaft was corroded, and the bearing had collapsed. The contact was informed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.”

“Steering of vehicle has become progressively more difficult. The steering wheel is very difficult to turn. Not being able to rapidly turn wheel places driver at risk to avoid any potential collision. Vehicle has been inspected by independent repair shop. Their assessment is corrosion on steering shaft joints is cause of issue.”

“Catalytic converter FAIL, engine idles rough while in park. HIGH Loss of engine power while driving Differentials in back tires are imbalanced…timing FAIL. Steering not calibrated, drivetrain out of sync altogether. Back wheels, left and right; randomly spin & torque hard while car is already in motion on any private road, hidden road, domestic road and high capacity, high speed highway, causing vehicle to fishtail uncontrollably and dangerously, and wildly side to side potentially veering off the road which could result in death unless the driver regains proper control of vehicle. Out of sync car computer and the mechanical devices built into car do not have proper timing performed on those particular moving parts altogether. The car was not manufactured properly mechanically nor electrically altogether. Headlights & electric system etc have an incomplete recall on my vehicle. [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION A CLICKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CLANKING NOISE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE STEERING LINKAGE THAT WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. HIGHT FORD INC., LOCATED AT 242 MADISON AVE, SKOWHEGAN, ME 04976 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.”

“2004 GRAND MARQUIS, POWER STEERING WENT OUT ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, AROUND 2016-2017, GOT IT REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. WAS FINE UNTIL ABOUT 4-5 MONTHS AGO, STARTED CLICKING/KNOCKING NOISE WHEN I TURNED STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAPPENS WHEN STATIONARY AND WHEN CAR IS MOVING AT ANY SPEED WITH TURNS. ALSO STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER AFTER TURNING UNLESS I MOVE IT. IT IS ALSO TIGHT TURNING AT TIMES, FEELS LIKE IT IS ALMOST LOCKING UP SOMETIMES. AFRAID IT WILL LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT SINCE 2005 AND LATER MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE THINK 2004 GRAND MARQUIS NEED RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ALSO. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE AND SEVERAL ACCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENS EITHER STATIONARY OR AT ANY SPEED ON ANY SURFACE. MILEAGE IS JUST OVER 100,000 ACTUAL MILES ON MY CAR.”

“WHEN I TURN THE CAR LET RIGHT WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED THE STEERING DOES NOT RETURN TO THE CENTER POSTITION. THE STEERING SEEMS TO GET HUNG UP ON VARIOUS POINTS LEFT OR RIGHT SLOW OR FAST. THE STEERING KNUCKLE LOOKS RUSTED.”