2003 Mercury Grand Marquis: loss of power steering

Filed Nov 29, 2021 · Electrical · MO

First issue: The headlights and door chime stay on after key is removed and lights are off causing battery to drain while vehicle is not being operated. Second issue: 50 amp ignition fuse blows randomly while car is in motion which causes a complete loss of power to the car including: braking power and power steering assist. The tilt steering being raised or lowered fixes the problem temporairly on occasion. A clicking sound from the lighting control module is heard when adjusting the tilt steering also

Filed Oct 24, 2019 · Steering · 113,000 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Aug 15, 2019 · Steering · 110,000 miles · NJ

Loss of power steering. Difficult to steer. Corrosion related defect in the lower intermediate shaft.

Filed Mar 26, 2019 · Steering · 50,000 miles · IL

When driving the car and making a turn in either direction, at the point the steering wheel has turned 180 degrees and is now upside down from "normal position", it feels as though the steering wheel is going to come off!!! It rocks back and forth in the upside down position. Also.... At times it feels hard to turn the wheel in either direction. This problem apparently comes from the upper and lower steering shafts where the u-joint connects the two steering shafts. If I slather grease on the shafts and work the steering wheel back and forth about 30 times, the "tough steering" or the feeling of no power steering subsides, but comes back in anywhere from 1 week to a month! I can be driving on the interstate and all at once I can not change lanes, which is very scary at times!!! When this happens at 65 MPH it is almost timpossible to steer the car!!! It is also very dangerous making a turn at 10-20 MPH as on numerous occasions, the power steering quits working and I almost ram the car sitting at the stop light because the car won't make the complete turn!!! Many times, I have had to stop dead to keep from hitting the car as I am trying to turn right, and then with all my strength, crank and muscle the steering wheel to complete my right turn! ( and I am a 6', 245 lb. Man in pretty good shape!!!) I had heard from other grand marquis owners that there was a recall on earlier models of the grand marquis (2000-2002 models) for the same problem, but for some reason, the 2003 grand marquis ls model was excluded from this recall!!!. Both problems that I have listed apparently originate from the upper and lower steering shafts and are completely unsafe!!! There is no warning as to when the steering problem presents itself. In the winter, here in illinois, the problem compounds immensely!!!! This problem need to be addressed before someone is killed!!! Thank you!

Filed Aug 29, 2016 · Steering · 105,000 miles · RI

Steering was very stiff at times. Lower power steering shaft had to be replaced.

Filed Sep 12, 2014 · Lights, Steering · 221,995 miles · NJ

Driving around a bend on a dark county highway in southern nj, no street lights. My headlights go out and wont come back on. Since my steering is stiff, I almost wrapped myself around a tree. Thank god, I have good brakes and driving on brand new tires on a dry road or I would be dead right now. My mechanic has always claimed that the stiff steering is a common problem & a manufacturing defect, but cost prohibitive for me to fix. When I took the car today, he said it was definitely the lighting control module ($600 part). He was unaware of the chronic problem that is happening as of late with the lcm's in 2003 marquis. I think you guys closed the case too early on the lcm's, the complaints boards all over the internet about this problem are increasing in frequency. Combined with extremely stiff steering, headlights going out randomly is a recipe for disaster.