Steering Is Tight problems of the 2008 Ford Taurus

Travelling home from missouri to oklahoma with my son in rainy conditions I noticed that the steering on my Taurus was tight and difficult to steer to the right. The car became difficult to steer and it felt like the power steering had been lost. Without warning the car veered to the right and became unsafe. I slowed to about 45 mph and was able to maintain control of the car. This is a safety problem that needs to be addressed by Ford. From what I've read, this steering problem seems to be common to this year Taurus. The cost of repairs, from what I've seen, averages above $1,000. What, if anything, is being done to correct this problem. I did read of one report that occurred while the car was under warranty. This should be a recall item because it is definitely a safety issue!.

When turning to the right at city and highway speeds the steering wheel is extremely hard to turn to the right. Once the steering wheel is turned to negotiate an approximate 45 degree turn, the steering wheel wants to turn independently farther to the right. The steering is unstable at highway speeds.

While backing and turning out of my driveway at speeds at or near 1 mph I noticed the steering was tight - as if the power steering no longer worked. After pulling out of the driveway and proceeding approximately 1 mile (speed limit less than 25 mph) to a stop sign, I was unable to make the left turn from a stopped position (had to back up and try again - fortunately no other cars in intersection). Moments later, still at speeds of 25 mph or less, the steering became hypersensitive while going around a bend in the road, causing me to not only enter the opposite lane, but to almost do a 360 degree turn (and off the pavement). I went home and had the car towed to Ford dealership. First, a failed steering rack was diagnosed, then a lower steering rod joint failure (not sure if only the latter or both since the car is still in the shop). Fortunately, neither I nor anyone else was injured - but the car was not controllable. Also fortunately I had purchased an extended warranty (4th time I needed it, but first safety issue). I read others have similar issues so I am reporting it.

Driving for work noticed with backing in and out of driveways that steering was tight. Checked power steering fluid level and it was fine thought it was just needing new tires. Driving home after picking my children up from daycare and went to turn right on a curve at about 35 mph and steering very tight with "throbbing" felt in steering wheel. I did not have good control of the vehicle and needed to slam on the breaks to make the curve. Took car in and was told needed new rack and pinion. Car has 47,000 miles on it. Called Ford and they said no problem reported and not covered under warranty. Now it is very hard to turn at all and raises some serious crash aversion issues as well as sometimes works fine and sometimes not at all. I am a visiting nurse and have two young boys and the cost to fix the problem is over $900 plus more if the p/s pump was also damaged. Ford has TSB out (which they denied) and supposedly the new part, that cost at least $200 more than an aftermarket, has to come from Ford because they know that there is a manufacture defect. They have remedied the problem with an "improvement" to their rack and pinion system at the cost of the customer.