2011 Ford Crown Victoria

The defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermediate shaft was serviced during the course of safety recall 13V-385. The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.

The risk

Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.

The remedy

Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.

Ford Motor Company · up to 36,888 vehicles across all model years covered

The defect

Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate.

The risk

If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

The remedy

Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have occurred as a result of lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.

Ford Motor Company · up to 355,000 vehicles across all model years covered

crash · towed

Unknown

NHTSA complaint 11647631. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Vehicle is exhibiting stiff steering issues associated with steering column. Mechanic determined steering shaft requires replacement. This vehicle was already involved in a steering column recall several years ago however the problem appears to have returned.

NHTSA complaint 11519396. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

I learned of recall on some models of crown victoria police interceptor. I own 3 such vehicles. Two were identified for recall, the third a 2011 however was not. This car has signs of steering issues very hard to turn the wheel at times. There is rust on the lower intermediate steering shaft and at the u joints of the shaft. When I took the other vehicles in for recall servicing I provided the vin # for the 2011 and was informed that there was no recall for it. I am hoping that the recall can be expanded to include this vehicle which is showing some signs of steering shaft issues.

NHTSA complaint 11519486. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

160,000 miles

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the steering wheel started clicking and making an abnormal popping sound. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated he was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V704000 (Steering) or 13V385000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

NHTSA complaint 11428047. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

82,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 60 MPH, THE FRONT END WOULD VIBRATE AND A CLUNKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. EVENTUALLY THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NOT LOCK AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT BEARING WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER RYE FORD LOCATED AT 1151 BOSTON POST RD, RYE, NY 10580 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V385000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME …

NHTSA complaint 11388103, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

74,000 miles

LOWER REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER TAB DISCONNECTS FROM GLASS, AND DOES NOT STAY PERMANENTLY ATTACHED.

NHTSA complaint 11338977. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.