The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed. The contact was unable to turn the steering wheel in any direction. The failure recurred intermittently and without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000. The current mileage was 85,000.

- Antioch, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed and the steering wheel pulsated abnormally. The failure recurred twice. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and was told that the steering column would need to be replaced. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 125,000.

- Omaha, NE, USA

I have Ford that are 70 years old and the power steering works great now I buy my wife a Ford its only a few years old and the power steering quits almost dies and then wants my pay checks for 7 weeks 1400 dollars and now all of these ppl on here have the same problem and Ford won't stand behind it and at least make it a recall ok they want to wait till ppl start die to understand that the engineers they had design this did not know their a** from a hole in the ground.

- Pinconning , MI, USA

I own a 2008 Mercury Mariner and I am a little concerned with its safety. On 03/15/13 I was pulling out of my drive and the steering wheel would not turn. I proceeded to put in reverse to get out of the road and backed into the drive. I turned all power down then restarted the vehicle with no problems in the steering. I went to pick up my kids and the steering wheel started to pulsate and I could hear a clunking noise while sitting at a stop sign. Everytime I came to a stop it would do it. On sat. I took it to the local shop. We couldn't notice anything out of the ordinary that would cause this to happen. The only solution was the entire steering column would have to be replaced. I did some research on line to see if this was a known issue or if a recall had been issued. I was amazed at how many complaints have been placed and no recall has been issued. I set up an appt with the dealer for tues. I was working on mon. And left to run an errand for work and the next thing I know, I was driving 65 mph on the highway and with out warning I lost all power in the driving and heard a loud grinding and then clunk. I thought the transmission went out! I immediately turned on my hazards to try and get off to the side of the road cause I was slowing down extremely fast. I was almost in a 3 car accident and luckily everybody is ok, but it could of been a lot worse! I was towed to a dealer. They confirmed my fears. The transmission went out with no warning. They told me this is a known problem but there was nothing they could do cause there was no recall on this! when I asked as to why, the said not enough complaints have been made! wow, you have got to be kidding me"!? how many people have to die before these issues are addressed" very unhappy because it's going to cost $5200 to replace transmission and the entire steering column! hold Ford accountable!

- New Windsor, IL, USA

-the steering wheel will vibrate or chatter when stopped at a light or stop sign, if the vehicle is parked and idling the steering wheel will visibly oscillate back and forth, to a small amount. -on several occassions the steering wheel wouldn't turn in either direction, once the vehicle was started and shifted into drive; independent of whether it was the beginning of the day or if the vehicle had been recently used. To resolve this issue required shifting to park, powering the vehicle down, and restarting the process. -the certified mechanic at the dealership indicated that this issue wasn't servicable by them and would require replacement of the steering column and electric actuator "pump" mechanism. Very expensive!

- Harbor Beach, MI, USA

I have experienced issues with the steering column. Vehicle makes a clicking/ticking sound when approaching a stop. Steering wheel shutters from side to side at a complete stop and upon starting from a dead stop. Vehicle was taken to two service garages (one Ford, one independent) and was diagnosed as in need of replacement of the power steering unit. Vehicle also had intermittent loss of power steering. When starting the vehicle at my residence the power steering did not work. However, after taking it to the first service garage for diagnosis the power steering was operable again. Since the replacement of the power steering unit the vehicle has not exhibited any further symptoms or issues.

- South Bend, IN, USA

My 2008 Mercury Mariner intermittently loses power steering. Luckily, so far, it has failed when the vehicle is started. It returns when you shut the car off and restart it. The steering wheel also vibrates when stopped and the motor is running. There is also a "clanking" noise when you turn the wheel. This is the vehicle my daughter is learning to drive in, and I'm concerned about her safety and her passenger's safety. I took the vehicle into a repair shop and they said I may need a new steering column and have heard of a lot of complaints about steering problems with the 2008's. in fact, the day it was in for service there was a 2008 Ford escape(basically the same vehicle) there with the same problem.

- Gibson City, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed. The steering wheel and brake pedal started shaking as the failure occurred. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and was told that the electronic power assist system failed and would require replacement. The contact stated that no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel prior to the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 99,000.

- Trevor, WI, USA

My wife was driving home with our son from saint louis children's hospital back home 250 miles. As she's driving the power steering fails. When she gets home she tells me and I go out and start the vehicle and the power steering worked fine. Since original incident the vehicle electronic power assist steering (epas) works intermittently and sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. called the local Ford dealership, tri-lakes Ford and they claim it's not a recall or a common problem although there's is tons of incidents of this happening nationwide all over the internet. Angered I then called Ford customer service and they give me the same run around saying this is unfortunate and they don't hear of this problem much and they cannot and will not help me. How many lives or wrecks has to be damaged before this issue is a recall" Ford knows its a fault and need to own up to it. The Mercury Mariner has the exact same part number for the replacement column as the Ford escape so I know this is a common problem. What if it was devastating? what if my wife and terminally ill child was injured or worse killed because of this problem? the real question should be, what of it was your child or your wife" Ford has lost my business for good. As well as our local dealership.

- Branson , MO, USA

Vehicle steering began to grind and make noises during turning of steering wheel. Very loose steering as if steering is coming apart. Have reported to Ford, but stated there is no recall on this, even though numerous complaints on here and over 550 on edmunds.com. Vehicle seems unsafe and only 68000 miles.

- Elyria, OH, USA

On four different occasions while driving my 2008 Mercury Mariner, the steering wheel has locked up. Each time it has happened I have been turning at an approximant speed of 25 mph and I have been able to maneuver the steering wheel enough to pull over on the side of the road.

- Hopewell, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that the power steering failed as soon as the engine was started. The vehicle was turned off and on several times before the steering corrected independently. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who informed the contact that the steering torque indicator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the steering torque indicator needed to be replaced. The dealer advised the contact that there were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 01/18/12 updated 03/13/12

- Hermitage, TN, USA

Power steering fails on start up and steering wheel vibrates while at stop.

- Garden Grove, CA, USA

Steering shakes at any speed including when in park. Power steering also completely failed two times in the last 48 hours, shutting off the ignition and turning it back on restored power steering on both occasions. This is my wife's car which she uses to Transport our 2 year and 9 month old children, as such a failure during operation could be devastating. I have her taking my vehicle until we get this safety issue resolved.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA