Hydraulic Power Assist Steering System problems of the 1998 Ford Escort

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Escort. The contact stated that the steering locked up while driving. She pulled to the side of the road and attempted to restart the vehicle, however, it failed to restart immediately. She stated that the power steering fluid was dark colored and leaking. The dealer stated that the power steering needed to be drained and more tests were needed to determine the cause of failure. The current and failure mileages were 176,432. Updated 12/12/2007 updated 12/12/07.

Driving on a straight road, vehicle veered to the right, lost control, overcorrected, and hit a guardrail on left side of road, became airborn and flew 60 feet over creek. Two were injured, and vehicle suffered extensive damage.

Nuts that hold clamps which hold power steering unit have come off, causing power steering to become loose, and would not return back to the center.

While driving at approximately 45 mph in wet conditions driver lost control of vehicle and ran into a tree head on ,did not have enough time to apply brakes , dual airbags did not deploy, causing head injuries.