Three problems related to steering rack and pinion have been reported for the 1999 Mercury Cougar. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Rack & pinion. Loss of fluid.
5 months after purchasing this Cougar, there was a huge power steering leak. Called around for someone to fix it, but dealer was the only choice. We were told it could be a bad pump and that would cost $450 to fix. They called back and said the whole gear was bad and had to be replaced and would cost us $700. We had no choice but complained to the dealer that rack and pinion gear should not go bad on a 2 year old car. We also contacted Ford customer relations, who did nothing to help us. We want our money back. Dealer also failed to notify us of 5 outstanding recalls on this car. Then, 2 days after picking it up from steering being fixed electrical system shorted out and stranded our 19 year daughter at 2 in the morning. This is directly related to one of the recalled items. The dealer should have fixed this during the 3 days when they had the car .
Purchased car new, in 57000 miles we have had to replace, 2 alternators, 1 starter, 2 batteries, entire rack and pinion, power steering pump, transmission torque converter, 4 set of brakes, 4 sets of tires plus two individual tires all with sidewall blow outs except one puncture and 2 headlight switches, 2 cig lighters. The entire upper engine gasket set had to be replaced to get to an intake leak. The head lights and foglights work itermittantly, engine warning lights are constantly going on and off. Currently one headlight is out (lamp is good) fog lights are not working (today) and an engine warning light is indicating a problem again.