Steering Pinion Shaft Problems of Mercury Grand Marquis

Ford panther vehicles had recirculating ball steering until 2002, redesigned to rack and pinion steering in 2003. Ford issued recall 13s08 for severe corrosion that can seize the lower intermediate steering shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate, covering 2005-2012 vehicles but not 2003 and 2004 vehicles having same parts and symptoms. Steering has become extremely stiff, steering wheel not returning to straight ahead on its own, and difficult to steer at all speeds. Ford dealer lubricated lower steering shaft 2 months ago, but symptoms returned in 2,000 miles. These symptoms are concern for real danger of complete loss of steering.

See all problems of the 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis 🔎.

After experiencing a strange siren-like sound intermittently for a few days, especially when making a turn, I noticed on Sunday that this noise was becoming louder and more frequent. After driving only about two miles I realized that something felt odd in the steering, so I immediately returned home. On Monday August 24, 2015 I took the car to my mechanic for diagnosis and was told that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced; since this was a potentially very dangerous problem I agreed to have the work done immediately which entailed leaving it overnight for completion. Later in the evening I had a nagging feeling that I had heard about a similar issue, so I checked my car records and confirmed that I had taken my car to my closest Mercury dealer in response to a recall #13s08 from Ford motor corp. On Nov. 13, 2013; the garage "inspected the steering shaft" and declared "no repairs needed at this time". I was told, however, that I would be asked to return in a few months when they had sufficient parts to address the recall fully. In March 2014 Ford notified me to again contact the dealer in regard to safety recall 13s08/NHTSA recall13v385. The dealership did the recall repair on April 22, 2014 which involved "replacing the lower intermediate steering shaft". Upon investigation I learned that this is certainly in the area of my now failed rack and pinion assembly. What makes this frightening to me is that the repair was done at a mileage of 39923 and the part failed at a mileage of 44,725. When I called Ford this morning to ask about any help they might give me with this or whether or not this had been a problem to other drivers I was politely told that a recall repair is a one time fix. Since the failed part occurred only 4800 miles after the repair, I think that perhaps the "fix" was not enough; this seems unfair, especially if it effects many drivers. Help?.

See all problems of the 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis 🔎.

I noticed a loud groaning sound from my car anytime I turned left or right. I took it to an independent shop, which flushed the power steering system and replaced the power steering pump. Afterwards, the car's steering was even worse, turning failed multiple times, would not turn left or right without excessive force. I fear for the safety of myself and my 4-year-old while operating the car. It is still at the shop, now they will replace rack and pinion shaft, and/or lower intermediate shaft, totaling near $2000. I cannot afford to pay, not when there is a recall for Grand Marquis' 2005-2011, manufactured March 4, 2004-2011 (recalls 13s08, 14s25) for the exact same issues. Please help, my car was manufactured within this window, on April 30, 2004.

See all problems of the 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis 🔎.