I own both a 1998 and 1999 Mercury Mystique with the 2.5L V6 engine. When traveling through standing water or even in a heavy rainstorm the power steering will fail, the generator failure light will light, and the serpentine belt will whine. This can last from 30 sec to a few minutes, and requires one to stop driving as the car is no longer steerable. I have taken my 1998 to the dealer twice for this and they have replaced the belt and tensioner twice. This has not changed the problem, and the dealer called the manufacturer for help and they had no further information or suggestions. I feel that this is a design flaw for this specific engine which could result in a serious accident if evasive maneuvers were required while driving thru standing water. I note two other similar complaints on your website. Ford should design a fix for this important safety issue.

- Middletown, RI, USA

Steering spun out of control to extreme right position while traveling. No accident occured because it occurred in a parking lot. If traveling at high speed this same occurence may have been fatal. Towed to koon's Ford in college park, md. Diagnosed a

- Columbia, MD, USA

Power steering is lost when driving thru puddles or wet street. Does not happen all the time. Battery light remains on for short distance and brakes become very noisey. Cannot control car at this point and must stop until power steering comes back. Almost went off road and into bank when turning and this happened. Dealership has not fixed this problem yet, and will be taking the car into the shop today because this problem continues. 9/15/00. It happens during rain, of if puddles are in parking lot.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA