TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHILE TURNING. THERE WAS ALSO AN ABNORMAL HISSING SOUND WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVEN DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MECHANICS REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM, BALL JOINTS AND STEERING PUMP. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT THEN CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.