Replaced 2 front tires after 18 mos. with Cooper 50,000 mile tires. Within 14 months those tires were bald. 12/12 steering became very tight, especially on rt turns. had 4 tires replaced. Mechanic told me this is not normal wear, definately something wrong with steering. After tires replaced, steering better intermittently. Pain in the butt, never know when power steering or not. Very dangerous, cant turn steering wheel to avoid pot holes, accident, etc. 5 days ago steering absolutely nil. Driving home rt front tire flew off rim, drove into parking lot (on rim) to a safe place. Luckily it was late so there was no traffic. Hate to think what may have happened otherwise. Got out of car, no tire, rim shot, trim pc below rt front quarter panel gone, hole in rt front bumper, torn away from car. Next day had car towed to mechanics. Told steering rack needed replacement, this still has not solved the problem. He had me drive car to see how steering felt to me. Now maybe module problem. Contacted Ford Motor. Their response, dont come across many steering rack problems. Funny found a service bulletin #TSB09-5-7 regarding this problem & comments from others with same problem with as little as 14k miles. Ford says not covered under warranty. Apparently their more concerned about bottom line than customer safety!