1999 Mercury Villager Steering Problems

“For more times than I can remember, I again today had the agonizing experience of my vehicle steering locking up while trying to steer it. I have a 1999 Mercury Villager that was purchased new in 1999. On numerous occasions since then I have had my vehicle in at ford dealerships with the complaint of the steering locking up. This can occur at any given moment when making a turn. It seems to happen especially when the weather is damp. I have had several close calls. Every time I have taken the vehicle in they never find anything wrong with the steering. …”

“While driving 55-65 MPH, the consumer noticed that the steering wheel and the front of the vehicle vibrated. There was a looseness at high speeds accompanied by extensive vibration. The wheel imbalance was excluded after several re-balancing jobs. The symptoms matched the steering gear recall# 00v292001. The dealer claimed that there were no open recalls and refused to inspect the vehicle.”

“While traveling during rain or over puddles, power steering would fail. This condition is intermittent, dealer has been contacted. Upon purchase of vehicle consumer noticed noise coming from front end while turning the steering wheel, after several inspections, consumer was told that the noise was normal, dealer could not duplicate, consumer states that noise is intermittent, manufacturer notified.”

“Consumer explains that prior to recall notice, while driving he lost control of vehicle, vehicle would not respond to his steering causing consumer to drive off the road and crash, in november consumer receives said recall letter explaining of faulty steering gear, reimbursment is requested.”