Problems with 1999 Ford Windstar STEERING

While driving at 30 mph vehicle's steering fluid was leaking and had to be filled every 30,000 miles to make it home. please provide additional information. ts

1/.windshield wiper is not completely wiping off water on the windshield when it travels at 65 mph only 1/3 upper part of windshield is wiped of. it is very dangerous for driving on the freeway on rainy day. 2/ paint is bubbling and peeling of from the hood. 3/ the car is humbling and make noise when it is at stop and a/c on (may be the pressure from the power steering pulling). *jb

Consumer stated that while driving a seal blew in the power steering pump which caused the rack and pinion to fail. ts

While in motion, a loud noise emitted from the steering wheel. the vehicle was service by a technician. the technician noticed that the rack and pinion was leaking fluid and needed to be replaced. ts *jg

Very loud grinding jet engine sound when turning and also when just idling. the power steering fluid was black with metal chips indicating there was a problem with the pump or rack and pinion. i took it to a dealership and they flushed the pump. the noise went away for one day and on my way out of town, it started again causing me to lose power steering. the noise was terrible and i couldn't turn the wheel. i was one hour away! i have checked and there are 32 reported cases of this same problem. it seems to me that there should definately be a recall on this particular problem! it seems to have been reported for at least a year and nothing seems to have been done about it! please contact me and let me know what i have to do to get a recall done on this! i am now looking at paying more than $800 to replace a part that is obviously defective! please help! dt

While driving the vehicle and turning left or right is big noise , due to a faulty power rack and pinion assembly, dealer has been notified. please provide further information. ts

No summary. dt

Consumer states while driving and turn either way the vehicle makes a loud noise. ts

Massive powersteering /rack and pinion leak , difficult to steer at any speed. mr

The valve on the rack and pinion steering dried out and now leaks. the entire rack and pinion steering system must be replaced now at a cost of $600. the mechanic told me that it is the 4th windstar he has seen with this same problem in the last two weeks. i contacted ford about this problem and they logged it in but are doing nothing for me at this time.*ak

Rack and pinion was replaced on two separate occasions within 50,000 miles by dealer. however, problem has reoccurred. feel free to provide any further information.*ak

Consumer stated that the power steering fluid constantly leaks diminishing ability to proper control vehcile while driving. mechanic advised that the steering "shield" failed causing the fluid loss. mr

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

While driving 35 mph, slowed to make a turn and steering became difficult to turn, making an awkward sound. please describe details. *ak

While pulling into the driveway wheel locked up. vehicle towed to the dealer, and they informed consumer that rack and pinion steering needed to be replaced. feel free to provide any further information.*ak

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

I have found too many persons on the internet with the same problem. no safety defect listed. *ak

Rack and pinion steering component is leaking power steering fluid, resulting in loss of ease in control. vehicle has been checked by dealer.*ak

Experienced a sudden loss of steering while making a turn in a parking lot. i nearly struck another vehicle. this happened several times, all while making low speed sharp turns. my service representative told me the bearing in the power steering pumps fails contaminating the power steering fluid which then causes the failure of the rack and pinion steering gear. my own research shows this to be a common problem among all ford vehicles using this type of pump. loss of steering while attempting to make a sharp turn is a dangerous situation.*ak

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

Power steering went out briefly in dec. of 2001. i thought it was due to moisture on the belts. steering went out again, briefly on may 10, 2002. again, i thought it was due to wet belts. steering began to make a loud grinding,whining sound on may 12, 2002. we had our van towed to the dealership. we were told the entire power steering column would have to be replaced due to leaking seals under the van. estimated cost; $700.00. i found a technical service bulletin on your website that fits the description of this problem. do we have any recourse against ford? our van is barely out of warranty. can you help us? our family of six could have been killed. the mechanic at the dealership said that the steering could have gone out completely. thank you for your consideration. jean marie smith. *ak

While driving vehicle began to make a loud grinding sound that became worse as consumer was driving, consumer was informed by a mechanic that the steering could have been lost, however the steering did go out briefly in dec and may, also the steering column was worked on nov 16, but consumer was informed that the 2 problems were not related, also there was a popping noise around the windshield, which was determined to be pillar molding warped.*jb

Transmission, sliding door, driver door, rack and pinion, steering pump, intake manifold, front suspension upper link, world's fastest declining vehicle value, world's worst customer service and satisfaction representatives.*ak

Rack and pinion steering broke, and it became real hard to control vehicle. *ak

On two separate occasions steering momentarily locked up while driving. feel free to provide any further information. *ak

power steering went out while traveling on highway. consumer heard a clunking noise underneath hood area.*ak

Power steering making noise and loosing fluid. nlm

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

Rack and pinion steering had to be replaced while the consumer was driving. steering froze up, and then it became harder to steer vehicle. *jg *ak

A leak developed in power steering rack which caused vehicle to shake when turning end eventually to lose all power assisted steering. *ak

When turning left, the steering wheel locks in position. consumer was able to forcibly bring wheel back in the correct position. this happens intermittently. contacted dealer and ford manufacturer and they stated there was nothing they could do because problem could not be duplicated. *ak consumer states that the gear type goes inside the steering wheel post rattles and may be broken. *tt

While driving vehicle will pull, there will be clicking noise. then, will lose steering.contacted dealer. rack and pinon steering went out.*ak

Vehicle is leaking power steering fluid around bushing. a mechanic examined vehicle, and stated that problem could be with rack and pinion system. please provide any additional information / documentation. *ak

Consumer stated the check engine light would illuminate, the engine would hesitate when accelerating, the dealer replaced the cam sensor, crankshaft sensor, replaced all the plugs with platinum, and replaced the upper and lower intake gaskets. *jb

At 36,500 miles power assist pump failed to operate while driving, causing loss of power steering. dealer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not covered under any recall, and warranty expired. feel free to provide any further information. *ak

While turning at a low speed, noticed a buzzing noise. drove 4 miles to agency where van was purchased. service tech. stated it was a problem with the power steering pump. advised not t drive van home. next day, the tech. stated that the power steer. pump needed to be replace (cost of $320.). two days later, same problem but now with leaking fluid. dealer refused to tow back to dealership, no rental car offered. tech. states that the rack and pinion needs replacing - no cost. at same time, advised tech. that car "misfires" at start up, especially in cold weather. car "scoped" at a cost of $60. replaced "air-intake valve". again, two days later, same problem occurs. agency currently finding parts to replace various sensors. no car for over one week but dealer has provided a rental.*ak

While driving, consumer could heard a noise coming from steering, just like when power steering was low in fluid, consumer then took vehicle to two different mechanics, they said that problem was with rack and pinion steering that had a leakage. manufactrurer was contacted at the time, but could not provide any other help.*ak *jb

The power steering on this vehicle went out as my wife was rounding a curve. she described it as going off and coming back on. when it stiffened up, she turned harder and it loosened up fast. this caused her to go partially off the right side of the road. she got it home and it would hardly turn while in the driveway. power steering fluid is leaking from the right side rack and pinion boot. a ford dealer showed me article no. 01-5-6 dated march 8,2001 that discusses this issue and states it is for information only. thank you for your time and help.

A leak developed in power steering rack which caused vehicle to lose all power assisted steering. dealership has examined vehicle, and was repairing the problem. please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak

My wife almost had an accident while trying to steer the car off the garden state parkway exit 102.*ak

No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak

My mechanic has suggested that i contact you, i have contacted ford motor company, and they are not being of any assistance. my mechanic has stated that with the number of miles on my vehicle, the items that have failed should not have, and is unsafe. please tell me how to go about getting some help from ford motor company thank you cynthia sora. no safety defect listed. *ak

No summaer listed for above vehicle. *ak

Transmission jerks harshly into second gear after slowing down and accelerating especially on incline. dealer replaced solenoids and torque converter and problem still exists. after returning to dealer they state it needs a new transmission. steering makes loud grinding noises when turning. dealer replaced tie rod, problem returned after 1 week. dealer then replaced rack.*ak

Had to replace rack and power steering pump.*ak

Upon visual inspection consumer noticed fluid on ground and vehicle would make a whining noise. vehicle was taken to dealer, and consumer was notified that rack and pinion steering was broken. *ak

No summary listed for abov ev3ehicle. *ak

Consumer states vehicle makes a moaning and groaning noise when wheel is being turned to park, consumer was advised my mechanic that vehicle operates as engineered. *jb

Power steering pump unit had to be replaced on four occasions by dealer, from 28,000 miles to present. currently, problem was reoccurring. dealer had been notified. *ak the consumer stated that the power steering problem still exists right now and the unit would be replaced again. *yh