A couple days ago I started my car as usual before going to work to let it warm due to the weather. As I started backing out of my drive I realized my steering wheel isn't moving like it's supposed to. I stopped and turned the car off and then back on, then it was fine. As I'm driving and getting ready to switch lanes on the highway it does it again so I pull on the shoulder and get out the car to check under the hood, a man pulls over to help me seeing as I'm a woman on the side of the road and in my military uniform. He says it could be because of the weather but it should be fine. Now after 2 or 3 days the steering wheel shakes and vibrates and a rattling noise occurs at low speed and certain positions when the wheel is turned, or even at a standstill position. It has recurred several times since the first time and always when the car starts. It can be stopped by turning off the ignition and restarting the car. Also a wrench shows up in the message center, as I read my manual come to find out that's for the transmission. I've read a lot of the comments and complaints and have to wonder, will it take a death because of this for Ford to realize we're not making this up and it's not due to poor or lack of maintenance.

- South Elgin, IL, USA

On July 5, 2009 while driving my Mercury Mariner the passenger side rear tire went flat. Cause was a bad valve stem; on September 4, 2009 I had the same problem with the driver side rear tire. The auto tech at wall mart showed me the valve stem was dry rotted and had to be replaced. I also had him replace both valve stems on the front tires, which also showed signs of dry rot.

- Wyandotte, MI, USA

Original Continental tire on the 2008 Mercury Mariner has tread separation and caused a blow out. Continental will not reimburse or swap on blow out, but only on tread wear. Pictures of tire separation are available.

- Metairie, LA, USA

Tires continually get louder as more miles are put on them. It is a whining noise and you can hardly talk normal or listen to the radio without turning the volume loud. Started complaining to the dealership with about 12,000 miles on the tires. They currently have about 20,000 miles on them.

- Columbus, NJ, USA

In July 2008, "check tire pressure" light became present. Upon placing air in left-rear tire a crack/ leak in valve stem became present. Valve stem was replaced. In August 2008 same issue occurred with right rear stem. Today, October 26th 2008 the issue occurred with the right front valve stem. All valve stems on my vehicle have now been replaced.

- Oceanside, CA, USA