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