Power Steering Pump problems of the 1999 Mercury Mystique

First incidents occurred several times between 9,000 and 25,000 miles while pulling into driveway at low speed where there can be standing water when it rains. Power steering failed from belt slippage. On 7-3-2001 while driving on a city street through reasonable curb-side water on a rainy afternoon the power steering failed at n intersection. This is a serious design flaw. The belt pullies are located in such a place that the tires splashing through shallow standing water causes the belts to slip and steering and electrical system to fail (alternator).