Mercury Cougar power steering loss problems

Filed Jan 15, 2014 · Driver assistance, Steering · 116,000 miles · MI

I have only owned this vehicle for about 4 months and have had many problems including brake lights not working and back wheel locking up. It was raining, I was driving down the freeway about 55 MPH and suddenly the power steering went out completely, the heat/defrost stopped working and my battery light came on. I just installed a brand new battery just 6 days before incident, although this isn't the first time the power steering went out while raining. This time it was extremely scary due to the high speed I was driving and because the heat stopped working my windows started to fog up quickly causing my visibility to be reduced dramatically while trying to use all my strength to steer the car around a curve without hitting another vehicle. As soon as I was able to see an exit I got off freeway and car died completely driving up the off ramp. Thank god there wasn't any vehicles behind me I was able to pull over after waiting about half hour car started back up, power steering & heat was back on. I have 2 young kids and I'm scared to drive in this car with them.

Filed Jun 22, 2005 · Electrical · 170,000 miles · GA · fire

Dt: on 6/21/2005 while driving at night in clear conditions on dry pavement the vehicle stalled and caught on fire. The speed was about 5-7 MPH. There were no brakes, no electrical system, no power steering, no engine sound, no life in the vehilce at all. There was no warning lights that came on. The vehilcle had been driven for about 45 minutes and 40 miles before this occurred. Then, the vehicle sat for about 2 hours.the vehicle was driving fine, and was serviced a a week prior to the incident. The vehicle was put on the diagnostic that day and everything looked fine, besides the brake lights had to be repaired, but it was not the fuse that had to be repaired, owner was unsure what component caused the brake lights tto fail. There were also no tail lights .either.the back lights were completely out. After repair everything was fine until fire. When the car stalled on 6/21/05, the vehicle stopped on the side of the road. There was smoke coming from hood, then there was a man who came to help and sprayed the fire with extinguisher. .

Filed Jul 9, 2004 · Engine · 59,000 miles · NJ · crash

While driving at 45 MPH vehicle stalled. This caused the loss of steering and brakes. As result, consumer was involved a collision, where the vehicle was totaled. Dealer notified.

Filed May 3, 2004 · Airbags, Engine · IL · crash

While driving between 35 to 40 MPH vehicle stalled. This caused loss of steering and brake power. Consumer lost the control of the vehicle, and was involved in a front end collision. Upon impact, neither of the air bags deployed.

Filed Nov 3, 2003 · Transmission · 38,400 miles · OH

At 25,600 miles, I brought my vehicle into the dealership to complain about hard & rapid shifting and that my check engine light had come on. They replaced the engine light, but were unable to duplicate the shifting issues. I continued to believe the vehicle did not shift appropriately. At 38,200 miles, with the vehicle just over the warranty period, the vehicle again had harsh rapid shifting while traveling on the interstate during rush hour traffic. Out of fear for my safety, I exited the interstate and was completing a turn when my vehicle stalled in the middle of the road with out any warning lights, leaving me with no power steering and no control over the vehicle. I brought the vehicle to the dealership and was required to pay the $90 diagnostic fee for the same issue that had not been fixed at 25,000 miles while the vehicle was under warranty. They informed me I had a mechanical problem with the torque converter and they would flush and fill the transmissions. They indicated this fixed the problem, but that this was not a problem directly related to the hard shifting and stalling. They could not duplicate these complaints. A little over a week later, the same issue occurred while traveling to work on the interstate. The vehicle was up and down shifting harshly and once again stalled without any warning. I have made an appointment with the dealership to have it checked again. I am worried about my safety and the safety of others with this vehicle. There is no warning when the vehicle is about to stall and both times has stalled while traveling at about 30 - 40 MPH.

Filed Jun 17, 2003 · Brakes, Steering · 46,726 miles · OK

Vehicle stalled in traffice resulting in loss of power steering and power brake control. *mr

Filed May 19, 2003 · Fuel system · 82,150 miles · OK

On occasion, the car has lost power in traffic, which has resulted in loss of power steering and power brake control. The dealership has diagnosed the conditions resulting in power loss as a problem with the fuel pump. This problem has progressively worsened.

Filed Apr 9, 2003 · Engine · 5,000 miles · TX

While traveling on highway at approximately 70 MPH, vehicle stalls without warning. This has happened 12 times at high speeds and results in loss of power steering and twice has resulted in loss of all electrical power including headlights.

Filed Sep 4, 2002 · Steering · CT

While still under warranty, power steering would fail after driving through any water, even very small puddles. Would hear screeching noise, power steering failed for 20 second or so, nearly crashed several times. Local dealer could not find a problem when I took in for repair. Recently, warranty expired, experienced complete failure of power steering. Power steering gear replaced for $1000. Still lost power steering in puddles after repair. Needs splash guard similar to mercury mystique, see mercury tsb 97-11-2 tech service bulletin. Severe safety hazzard! Should be recalled!!

Filed Jan 8, 2002 · Electrical · CT

Engine> vehicle has been hesitating since 10/01. Vehicle brought in for regular check and description of hesitation/bucking esp. On highway provided to service rep. Vehicle serviced hesitation problem diagnosed as ignition wires in need of replacement. Ignition wires replaced, lube, oil, filter, and fluids topped. Also told all four tires would need to be replaced. Declined tire replacement at this time. Total cost for service with tax &labor=$346.70 vehicle continued to run the same way. Also coolant and airbag icons came on and would not go off. Scheduled for servicing again on 12/5/01. Diagnosis airbag censor in need of replacement (still under warranty ) and in need of a new collant expansion container (approx. Cost $200.) car in on 12/31/01 ,airbag sensor replaced and car checked again for cause of hesitation. Response unable to duplicate customer's concern. Hesitation continued and on 1/05/02 while returning home on secondary road, check oil light icon came on. Dealership nearby so attempt was made to drive car there . Vehicle died, no power steering. Large puddle of oil under vehicle. Roadside assistance towed vehicle to dealership. Diagnosis> engine gone and in need of replacement. Imploded from within