Hydraulic Power Assist Steering System problems of the 1997 Ford Explorer

This problem started this year when raining. Today 9/16/00 in tampa FL. There is a hurrican approching I was getting supplies. The power steering locked up 2x as tring to return home in heavy rain. I called & took this vehicle immediately to autoway Ford in st. Petersburg who prevesiously noted this problem at last rain. [said manufacture defect] but did nothing or charge at that time. Now with a major hurricane approching!! they documented the problem & wanted to keep the car til Monday! I said no! storm to hit this area sun/mon. Morn, & I would be stranded> took car back home which is on the gulf. I am very frightened & will call the local news on this matter. It,s not just tires now with the Ford Explorer.

While driving on I-95 in florida in the passing lane all of a sudden had no control of steering. Car went out of control, flipped over into the grassy median , and was totalled. Had the vehicle towed to the insurance agency.

When driving in heavy rain through puddles, the battery indicator light comes on. The engine continues to run but the power steering ceases to operate and the windshield wipers sometimes fail. This lasts for approximately one to two minutes.