On Friday, August 19, I heard noise in the right front of my 1999 Ford Taurus as I turned into a parking lot. As I left the parking lot, the steering seemed "stiff" and on hard turns there was noise. As a result, I took my car immediately to a local Ford dealership. The attendant looked at the steering fluid and found it to be "dirty" and low. It was suggested that we try changing the fluid to determine if that would resolve the problem without costly diagnostics. By the time I arrived home (approximately 5 miles) the steering once again was noisy and "stiff". since I was to be out of town until Wednesday, I returned the vehicle to the dealership this morning (Wednesday, August 24). The dealership determined that the rack and pinion steering and power steering fluid pump will need to be replaced at a cost of $1,100. The Taurus has only 48,700 miles. As I looked at the dot website, I discovered 3 or 4 identical complaints on the 1999 Ford Taurus. One of these vehicles had 48,000 miles.

- Wichita, KS, USA

Under 40,000 miles on my 1999 Ford Taurus and it has a power steering pump failure which causes no power assist to the steering, even after refilling unit with fluid. Loud whine from engine compartment does not abate with fluid refill. Problem came on suddenly and wife had difficult time driving home with children in the car. Unit does now seem to hold fluid, but fluid pouring out the top of cap is evident, and whine is still present.

- Bismarck, ND, USA

My 1999 Ford Taurus power steering pump and/or steering rack failed, causing me to have extreme difficulty to drive the car.

- Chester, NY, USA

While driving at 20 mph consumer heard a noise near the engine compartment, and it became hard to steer. Consumer took the vehicle home and called a mechanic. The mechanic examined the vehicle and determined that power steering pump needed to be replaced. Fuel pump had been replaced four times since ownership of the vehicle.

- French Camp, CA, USA

Power steering pump seal had drastic leak. This caused the fluid to leak out and dramatically increase the effort required to stear the vehicle. Such difficulty in stearing could have resulted in a crash.

- Fort Dodge, IA, USA

Power steering squeaks and makes noises when turning corners. Vehicle was taken to dealer, and consumer was told that power steering pump was not working properly. Consumer noted they wouldn't repair the pump at first, but after a few phone calls, they replaced it. It started to run fine afterwards.

- Redding, CA, USA

Power steering fluid is leaking. Dealer is inspecting vehicle.

- Lansing, MI, USA

Failure of rack and pinion began 6 weeks prior to final failure. Fluid filled boot not leaking out but emptying pump until final failure when boot finally leaked fluid while driving. Was mechanic checked during failing period with no indication of leaking fluid or cause thereof.

- Coldwater, MI, USA

Rack and pinion steering needed to be replaced due to failure/excessive wear. Repairs being made at dealer. Consumer stated the power steering pump was leaking fluid into boots, causing rack and pinion to fail.

- Clinton, CT, USA

Dealer unable to locate a leak in power steering pump. Fluid was leaking in to the power steering rack and pinion unit, filling boots on rack.

- Clinton, CT, USA

Power steering pump leaking fluid. Dealer was notified. Feel free to provide any further information concerning this matter.

- Richmond, VA, USA

When I started to back out of the driveway I noticed that it was hard to turn. So then I checked the power steering fluid it was empty so I filled it up and it leaked out as fast as I could put it in. When I had an estimate done they said it was the power steering pump and rack.

- Salem, IL, USA

Due to defective power steering pump, while driving steering would lock up, and would have no steering ability at all. Tow truck had to take vehicle off the road into the tunnel.

- Kings Point, NY, USA

Driving on local road vehicle lost power to the steering. Contacted dealer now for the 9th time they rebuilt the power steering pump. It broke after 3 days. It is back at the dealer.

- Tigard, OR, USA