Three problems related to steering rack and pinion have been reported for the 1997 Ford Contour. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Took my car in for rattling when driving and steering. They ordered tack shield and bolts. Took it back in, they installed parts and said it didn't fix the problem. Had to order rack and pinion. Kept the car until that came in and installed it. A few days later it started squealing and smoking. Took it back in and they said it was leaking power steering fluid but they didn't know why. They kept it for a week, decided it was a defective part and installed another rack and pinion. Got it back and it was still rattling and now it has a low growl sound at an idle. Took it back. They had to replace the idler pulley and the right swade bar link. The growl is still there but they're saying that is now normal. It is not normal. It was not there until they started screwing around in there. This car is a piece of junk!.
This Contour has a moderate steering/ hydraulic noise when turning at any time. Ford acknowledged the defect during the warranty period. The dealer stated that the rack and pinion component would have to be replaced. Then they changed their mind Ford told dealer not to change the unit. Stated that Ford was working on a fix for problem. May take up to six months. I had a lawyer write a letter to Ford asking for a buy back. They refused and stated that the noise was "normal. " well, which is it? a noise that a dealer was going to replace the unit to fix, that the Ford engineering is suposedly working on, or a normal noise? my wife is scared to drive vehicle says the noise is getting worse. I thought steering system is a safety sensitive system.
Steering failure.