Steering Column problems of the 2004 Lincoln Town Car

I have only 20,118 original miles on my 2004 Lincoln Town Car ultimate. The steering column under the hood is terribly rusted. The corrosion looks scary. I wanted to take it to the dealer to have them tell me if I needed to replace it! now, I wasn't looking for Ford to pay for anything but get this - they want me to pay them a $100 diagnostic fee just to tell me if I need to replace the steering column! the 2005 Town Car is being recalled for the same thing yet Ford is paying for this. What recourse do I have. I see now why they want to charge for this inspection because they know these cars well and are aware of the corrosion issue with their steering components. Now the I look at the toe-in toe-out position of the front wheels one wheel is pointing straight ahead and the other is turned slightly away from straight. It isn't causing any problems but I want this inspected so I can replace the parts if needed but I'll be double-damned if I give the morons $100 just to tell me if I need to replace the steering column shaft. This car looks like it is brand new on the outside, the interior's leather has no creases. . . No one has even sat in the rear compartment. It has been well cared for too. This is why I cannot believe the steering column is so freakin rusty - it looks dangerous! I looks like something from a car that's been sitting in a junk yard all its life. Now I see why the Lincoln concierge was absolutely no help what so ever. Ford knows about this corrosion issue.

We were entering interstate 75 in florida on a ramp and the car became very difficult to steer. When we were able to return and take it to an automobile shop, they told us the multiple u-joints on the lower steering column were rusted to where they would not function properly. We have a 2010 Lincoln town cat that had the same problem and there was a recall on it. The 2004 Lincoln Town Car has the same steering so why wasn't there a recall on it. We are still driving the 2004, but it was after we spent a large amount of money on having it repaired so it was safe to drive. We wrote a year ago about the 2004 Lincoln Town Car, but received an answer. . . . Updated 12/04/14.

The contact owns a 2004 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph , there was an immediate loss of steering control. The contact was able to regain control and maneuvered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who replaced two steering column shaft assemblies. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 37,847.