The contact owns a 1999 Mercury Sable. While driving at an unknown speed, the consumer drove over a small puddle of water, which caused the power steering to lock up. A few seconds later, the power steering returned. The contact believes that the steering fails whenever the serpentine belt gets wet. The belt must dry off before he can gain control of the vehicle. The vehicle has not been diagnosed. The failure has occurred between five and six times. The failure and current mileages were 140,000. Updated 07/17/09. Updated 07/20/09.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

While driving in heavy rain storm, engine crankshaft pulley assy broke causing the loss of power steering immediately, I struggled to maintain control of vehicle. I had repaired at local shop in long island, NY, mechanic said new replacement unit was much different than original indicating that there was problem with design of original unit.had I not been able to steer vehicle there could have been a collision resulting in injuries, etc. I checked recalls & there were non related to this mechanical failure. I paid $309.91 for repairs to vehicle. VIN# [xxx], I retained broken original pulley & bracket assembly. Updated 07/26/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Phila, PA, USA

The sepentine belt broke. Nlm

- Staten Isl, NY, USA