1998 Ford Contour: loss of power steering

Filed Mar 14, 2003 · Steering · 120,000 miles · VA

My 1998 ford contour 4-door sedan recently experienced a devastating failure. While my daughter was driving through a parking lot at low speed, a sub-frame assembly under the dash fell down on her feet. The assembly is held in place with two bolts which had come loose. As a result of this, the steering linkage was allowed to disconnect, permitting the steering wheel to spin freely. Had this happened on the highway she would have completely loss control, and because the frame fell on her feet, she probably couldn't have applied the brake. No steering and no brake! I think this is a potentially fatal design defect. Of course, the dealer and ford apologized but refused to correct the problem because the car is out of warranty.

Filed Aug 19, 2002 · Steering · NY

When driving slowly through a puddle the car can experience a sudden, temporary loss of power steering. This results in difficulty controlling the car.

Filed Aug 17, 2002 · Engine · PA

Engine stalls without warning, causing loss of steering and brakes. Have had the car back to charapp ford numerious times for same complaint. First time vct solenoid was replaced, second time vct replaced again. This past week was told that they couldn't duplicate the problem. After talking with techician he confirmed the stalling problem. Was told it was a carbon build up and to try driving with gas treatment in car. Stalled twice leaving charapp. Continued stalling 6 times that day. Drove for over two hundred miles and no change. This problem has to be addressed. Peoples lives are at stake! My car stalled while turning into on coming traffic from a stop sign. Luckily I was able to get off the road.

Filed Oct 9, 2001 · Steering · CA

Rack and pinion steering malfunctioned, had no steering/ control of vehicle.

Filed Sep 4, 2001 · Body · KS

While driving through a puddle and turning a corner, water was sprayed into the engine compartment and disabled the power steering. Luckily there was no one at the corner or I would have hit them, with the sudden loss of steering. Ford has a tsb, but this is a life-safety issue.

Filed Oct 26, 2000 · Engine · CT

When it rains alot serpentine belt skips and I lose steering power. The last time it happened I nearly struck a concrete wall. I called the dealer and the manager played dumb saying that he was not aware of a dealer notice. I checked your web page and there is a service bulletin. I am afraid if this were to happen at speed or on a curve that I or my children could be seriously injured if involved in a crash.

Filed Nov 4, 1999 · Steering · TX

Power steering failed while driving through deep puddle. Cause determined to be water splashing on belt and pulley, causing slippage and temporary loss of power steering. Dealer offered to install revised splash guard (tsb) under warranty.

Filed Oct 20, 1999 · Steering · NC

Drove through puddle, lost power steering assist.