NHTSA — Steering: Rack And Pinion Problems

3.8

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,507 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1999 Mercury Cougar steering problems

steering problem

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1999 Mercury Cougar Owner Comments

problem #3

Jul 011999

Cougar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,520 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Purchased car new, in 57000 miles we have had to replace, 2 alternators, 1 starter, 2 batteries, entire rack and pinion, power steering pump, transmission torque converter, 4 set of brakes, 4 sets of tires plus two individual tires all with sidewall blow outs except one puncture and 2 headlight switches, 2 cig lighters. The entire upper engine gasket set had to be replaced to get to an intake leak. The head lights and foglights work itermittantly, engine warning lights are constantly going on and off. Currently one headlight is out (lamp is good) fog lights are not working (today) and an engine warning light is indicating a problem again.

- Ofallon, MO, USA

problem #2

Jan 112004

Cougar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles
Rack & pinion. Loss of fluid.

- Alma, AR, USA

problem #1

Dec 032001

Cougar

  • miles
5 months after purchasing this Cougar, there was a huge power steering leak. Called around for someone to fix it, but dealer was the only choice. We were told it could be a bad pump and that would cost $450 to fix. They called back and said the whole gear was bad and had to be replaced and would cost us $700. We had no choice but complained to the dealer that rack and pinion gear should not go bad on a 2 year old car. We also contacted Ford customer relations, who did nothing to help us. We want our money back. Dealer also failed to notify us of 5 outstanding recalls on this car. Then, 2 days after picking it up from steering being fixed electrical system shorted out and stranded our 19 year daughter at 2 in the morning. This is directly related to one of the recalled items. The dealer should have fixed this during the 3 days when they had the car.

- Westland, MI, USA

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