Vehicle hard to steer. Had to replace lower steering shaft.

- Brook Park, OH, USA

Steering was tight and as I turned the wheel, the steering became loose. I took the vehicle to my mechanic and he told me that the steering shaft assembly had to be replaced because of rust. He also told me that I was close to having a full steering collapse. I now know that this was a recall item on the 2005 - 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis. Why wasn't the 2004 vehicle included?

- Marlton, NJ, USA

I was driving down an interstate freeway at 65mph and came to a curve, the steering was very tight and was unable to keep the car in my lane. Luckily there was no one next to me at the time. From that time on the steering kept getting tighter and tighter. I had to use bodily force to physically turn the steering wheel. I took the car to an auto repair shop and the issue was diagnosed as a faulty steering shaft joints. I had to have the lower steering shaft replaced. I was informed that 2005- 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis were recalled for this issue. As of writing this 2004 Grand Marquis are not included. This is a major safety issue and should be looked into further. I believe Ford/Mercury should be responsible for the cost of this repair.

- Isanti, MN, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, the steering wheel seized and caused the vehicle to become difficult to control. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnostic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 68,000.

- Nahant, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle would sway from side to side. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the lower steering shaft needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000. The current mileage was 131,000...updated 08/11/14 the consumer stated this vehicle's model year was not included in the recall. Updated 08/20/2014

- Utica, NY, USA

The occupants (male driver, female passenger) were driving during daylight hours back home from an appointment. As the vehicle approached a curve the driver was unable to turn the steering wheel to any extent to hold his lane in the curve. The vehicle crashed through a guard rail and came to rest in a field. The driver sustained bumps & bruises. The passenger sustained a broken sternum and back pain. The car was a complete loss (totaled) as determined by the insurance company. When the recent GM recall occurred I checked the internet regarding Ford/Mercury products. Mercury had a recall for 2005-2011 vehicles for faulty steering columns that could lead to accidents. However, there were multiple reports from 2004 owners with the same issues. Therefore, I didn't to submit this incident to the ntsb.

- Appling, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the steering wheel had become very difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the lower intermediate shaft was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 06/24/14 MA the consumer stated there was a recall issued for 2005 model year and beyond vehicles but excluded 2004 vehicles with same failure. Updated 06/26/2014

- Glen Ellyn, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the steering wheel became hard to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the steering column holster had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,232 and the current mileage was 128,000. Updated 06/10/14 MA the steering shaft was replaced. Updated 07/03/14

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized without warning and became difficult to turn without force. The contact had to use extreme bodliy force to complete any turns. The failure was recurring. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the steering shaft and bearings were corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 124,000.

- Wyoming , MI, USA

The power steering did not feel right to me so I took it to triangle service center, 177 boston rd, chelmsford. They inspected the power steering system and the intermediate (lower) shaft was binding and needed replacement. However, because of the Ford recall for 2005-2011 Ford vehicles, I can not get parts. I called Ford and went to the drum hill dealership in lowell but since the 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis are not in the recall, I have no recourse. This is the same part that NHTSA investigated and called for a recall on the 2005-2011 Ford vehicles. I believe the 2004 vehicles should be included in the recall as it is the same part in the power steering shaft that has failed in the 2004 that fails in the 2005-2011 models.

- Chelmsford, MA, USA

The vehicle was being hard to steer and turn - told it to the dealer and was declared unsafe to be on road. Had to get the steering column changed to the turn of $679 - still have defective part and receipt for the work that was done.

- Windsor, CT, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and attempting to change lanes, the steering wheel seized then released without warning. The contact also mentioned that it was very difficult to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 80,000.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that there was a constant movement in the steering column. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and they were unable to locate the problem. There was a voluntary recall issued by the manufacturer pertaining to the lower and upper intermediate steering shaft for the Grand Marquis model years 2005-2011 but not the 2004 model year. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

- Harmony, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the lower steering shaft assembly was replaced. There was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 13V385000 (steering) that pertained to the Mercury Grand Marquis model years 2005-2011. The manufacturer was notified and they informed the contact that there was not a recall related to the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Lakeville, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact was completing a turn at approximately 5 mph when the steering wheel became extremely hard to turn without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 81,244 and the current mileage was 90,000.

- Fern Dale, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph, the contact attempted to make a left turn and the steering wheel made a loud noise without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the mechanic suggested calling the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000. The current mileage was 158,000.

- Canton, OH, USA

Very hard to turn steering wheel. Vehicle has been sitting in my driveway for the last 2 months as its unsafe to drive with my children.

- Lockport, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact was completing a turn at approximately 5 mph when the steering wheel became extremely hard to turn. The contact checked the power steering fluid but the fluid was at the proper level. The contact then added a lubricant spray to the steering column. The failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not informed of the issue. The failure mileage was 53102.

- Youngsville, NY, USA

Hard to steer, then a binding, more pressure needed to turn steering wheel. Then steering seemed to return to "normal". noticed a large amount of corrosion on steering shaft U-joint.

- Trumansburg, NY, USA

Turning the steering wheel became hard with uneven "catches" (not smooth motion) when turning left or right and also turning the steering wheel back to "center". steering linkage from steering column to the steering "box" appears to be binding up. This makes turning the steering wheel sluggish and jerky. Power steering fluid and belts were ok.

- Lexington, KY, USA