THE OCCUPANTS (MALE DRIVER, FEMALE PASSENGER) WERE DRIVING DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS BACK HOME FROM AN APPOINTMENT. AS THE VEHICLE APPROACHED A CURVE THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO ANY EXTENT TO HOLD HIS LANE IN THE CURVE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED THROUGH A GUARD RAIL AND CAME TO REST IN A FIELD. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BUMPS & BRUISES. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN STERNUM AND BACK PAIN. THE CAR WAS A COMPLETE LOSS (TOTALED) AS DETERMINED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. WHEN THE RECENT GM RECALL OCCURRED I CHECKED THE INTERNET REGARDING FORD/MERCURY PRODUCTS. MERCURY HAD A RECALL FOR 2005-2011 VEHICLES FOR FAULTY STEERING COLUMNS THAT COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS. HOWEVER, THERE WERE MULTIPLE REPORTS FROM 2004 OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES. THEREFORE, I DIDN'T TO SUBMIT THIS INCIDENT TO THE NTSB. *TR