2006 Ford Crown Victoria

On July 7, 2014 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a preliminary evaluation based on five complaints (VOQs) alleging incidents ofinterference between dislodged exhaust manifold heat shields and the lower steering shaft/knuckle, including one alleging the interference resulted in a crash on a highway entrance ramp. Since opening this investigation, ODI has received four additional owner complaints.One indicated that the shield was removed before binding could occur.The other three occurred at low speed and produced some momentary steering binding that was overcome by the driver when additional steering effort was applied.Once the shield was repaired or removed, the steering returned to normal.The single incident ODI identified as a possible crash (VOQ No. 10578715) related to this condition could not be verified and the description of the crash in the complaint was not supported by the police accident report.No additional crash allegations have been identified related to the alleged defect condition.Information provided by Ford in its September 10, 2014 response to ODI's information request letter identified 10 additional incidents resulting in a low rate of 1.6 incidents per 100,000 vehicles sold in vehicles ranging from 7 to 11 years in service.Six of these incidents were reported by a single source, a state police fleet that corrected the problems in March 2011 and has not reported any additional failures since.Ford also reported 5 warranty claims, but these incidents occurred at very low mileages and appeared to be caused by loose or missing heat shield attachment hardware rather than the corrosion condition that was the cause of the more recent incidents and the focus of this investigation.This investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.The following VOQs are associated with this investigation:10643753, 10615584, 10611362, 10610451, 10578715, 10479681, 10471833, 10317493.

In its recall notice dated August 26, 2013, Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified NHTSA of a safety defect condition that may result in loss of steering in approximately 355,000 model year (MY) 2005 through 2011 Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles built at the St. Thomas Assembly Plant, MY 2005 through 2007 Lincoln Town Car vehicles built at the Wixom Assembly Plant, and certain MY 2008 through 2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles built at the St. Thomas Assembly Plant and that 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, or Wisconsin (NHTSA Recall 13V-385, Ford Recall 13S08).Ford's recall addresses a corrosion related defect in the lower intermediate shaft that may result in separation of the steering column lower bearing and loss of steering control.Ford's recall will remedy the defect condition by instructing dealers to replace the lower intermediate shaft and to inspect and repair the upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing as necessary.A retaining clip will be installed if the lower bearing has separated.Ford's investigation of steering column separations in the subject vehicles identified a defect condition in the lower intermediate shaft that could result in separation of the column lower bearing.According to Ford's August 26th defect report, severe corrosion of the lower intermediate shaft may cause the lower intermediate shaft swing link joint(s) to stiffen or seize.Ford determined that forces acting on the upper intermediate shaft because of seized swing links may eventually cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse, which may result in separation of the column lower bearing and loss of steering control.Analysis of ODI complaints and Ford complaints and warranty identified 22 incidents of steering separation (12 complaints and 10 non-duplicative warranty claims) that may be related to the lower intermediate shaft defect condition.All 22 incidents involved vehicles in the recall region, where 419,210 or roughly half (52%), of the subject vehicles were sold.Ford's investigation also determined that column lower bearing separation may occur in vehicles that experienced upper intermediate shaft collapse in prior frontal impact collisions if the shaft was not properly diagnosed and repaired.Ford identified 13 steering separation incidents outside the recall region (6 complaints and 7 non-duplicative warranty claims) where 386,003 of the subject vehicles were sold.Ford did not find evidence of the lower intermediate shaft corrosion issue in these vehicles.Six of the vehicles had known prior collisions and the histories of the remaining 7 were unknown.To address concerns with possible steering separations in vehicles outside the region for safety recall 13V-385, Ford is conducting a Regional Program (13R01) to inspect and repair the steering assemblies of those vehicles as necessary.The lower intermediate shaft will be replaced only if it fails the inspection, the upper intermediate shaft will be repaired if it fails a Ford-specified measurement test.In the event the steering column lower bearings are found out of position, they will be re-seated and secured with a retaining clip.Based on Ford's field actions, this investigation is closed.The VOQs cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10505992, 10479893, 10477192, 10475950, 10474596

In the subject vehicles, the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and rack and pinion steering assembly consist of the steering column and an upper and lower intermediate shaft.A disconnection of any of these components from the steering system can create a loss of steering control.Allegations of a loss of steering control incidents reviewed during the Preliminary Evaluation PE12-025 appear to be related to a separation of the upper and lower shafts within the steering the column. In response to the Office of Defects Investigation's (ODI) Information Request (IR) during PE12-025, Ford provided 2 complaints and 9 warranty claims related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles (see Figure 1 for an exemplar picture).ODI has received 5 complaints related to the alleged defect, including 1 related to an incident reported in one of the Ford complaints.The incident rate involving subject vehicles is 7.7 per 100,000 vehicles (15 total incidents).Five of the 15 incident vehicles were associated with a prior history report of a frontal impact incident.ODI also analyzed field data for MY 2005 through MY 2008 non-CVPI Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis models and MY 2009 through MY 2011 CVPI models, which use a similar steering column and intermediate shaft design. This analysis identified 4 reports from Ford and 2 complaints to ODI, including 1 duplicative of a complaint provided by Ford, resulting in 5 total incidents and an incident rate of 1.1 per 100,000 vehicles for a vehicle population of approximately 436,000 vehicles. In the peer vehicle analysis, 4 of 5 incident vehicles had a prior history report of a frontal impact incident.ODI also identified 42 reports (39 reports associated with subject vehicles and 3 reports associated peer vehicles) of the lower steering column shaft bearing displacement that did not result in complete separations of the upper to lower steering column shafts (see Figure 2). Vehicles with this condition were identified during inspections of police fleets or during vehicle repairs for complaints of looseness, binding or noise in the steering system while turning.This Preliminary Evaluation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA13-004) has been opened to further assess the scope, frequency, consequence, and contributing factors to the steering column shaft separations.The VOQs associated with the opening of this investigation and a loss of steering control are: 10347404, 10474596, 10475950, 10477192, and 10479893.

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle was sluggish. The contact applied more pressure to the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle unintendedly shifted into drive (D), accelerated, and struck the rear of a parked, unoccupied vehicle while blocking oncoming traffic. The contact stated that upon shifting into reverse (R) a second time and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle reversed, but the failure recurred, and the vehicle struck the rear of the unoccupied vehicle, pushing it into another parked and unoccupied vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. No injuries were reported. No Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then driven to AAMCO Transmissions, where the failure was confirmed, but the cause of the failure was not determined upon inspection. The contact was provided an estimate to disassemble the transmission but declined. The vehicle was driven a mile away and towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that the failure was potentially related to the steering column. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, and the contact was referred to AAMCO Transmissions for additional assistance. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 108,460.

NHTSA ID

11751128

Incident

Jun 27, 2026

Mileage

108,460 mi

I HAD THIS VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECALL IN 2014 AND ACCORDING TO THE DEALER REPAIR THE STEERING COLUMN WAS WITHIN LIMITS NOT TO COMPLETE THE SECOND HALF OF RECALL 13S08 BUT A FEW WEEKS AGO MY STEERING SHAFT SEPARATED WITH NO WARNING AND I CAME TO A REST IN AN INTERSECTION. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEY CONFIRMED THE SEPARATION OF STEERING. I DID NOT PUT A CLAIM INTO INSURANCE AND NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO ANY OTHER VEHICLE SO THE POLICE WERE NOT CALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED UNTIL AFTER THE FAILURE. THANKFULLY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY WERE NO HELP AS WELL AS THE DEALER WHO DID THE RECALL IN 2014. THEY SAID THAT THE RECALL WAS DONE WITHIN THE PERIMETERS OF THE PROCESS AND THAT THEY COULDN'T HELP ME. I NOW HAVE SPENT OVER $1500 ON REPAIRS AND STILL IS NOT CORRECT AND I AM WORRIED ABOUT IT HAPPENING AGAIN. I THINK THAT THE SECOND PART OF THE RECALL SHOULD BE MANDATORY WITH THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE COLUMN FROM SLIPPING OUT. JUST PRIOR TO THE STEERING COLUMN BREAKING JUST BEFORE I TURNED THERE WAS A SLIGHT BINDING AND THEN IT SEPARATED. OTHER THAN THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING. I GOT THE RECALL DONE AS SOON AS I GOT THE LETTER IN THE MAIL AND I THINK FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR AS WELL AS ALL THE CROWN VICTORIAS ON THE ROAD. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID

11541223

Incident

Aug 2, 2023

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, there were banging, clunking and abnormal sounds coming from the steering wheel. The contact veered to the side of the road. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the steering shaft was loosened and there was significant play under the driver's side dash between the firewall. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the upper and lower steering shaft were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact was able to pull into his parent's driveway. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the steering column bushing had separated and there was significant play in the steering wheel. The contact stated that the steering wheel fractured and became completely loosened. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under Ford Service Campaign Number: 13S08; however, the contact stated that the dealer had failed to install the retainer to hold the steering column bearing in position. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

NHTSA ID

11517407

Incident

Apr 10, 2023

Mileage

111,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BECAME INOPERABLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS ALSO INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS STILL AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 352,000.

NHTSA ID

11395718

Incident

Jan 14, 2020

Mileage

352,000 mi

THE CAR DEALERSHIP DIDN'T TELL US THAT THIS CAR HAVE NO AIR BAG AND ALSO NOTHING WAS CHECKING OR CHANGE ON THE CAR. WE PAID FOR THE CAR AT 2700 AND THE ELECTRIC AND THE RADIATOR ARE BAD AND ALSO THE AC UNIT IS BAD THEY DON'T HAVE NO ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM AND MUCH MORE WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT NO MORE YOU ALREADY PUT 5,000 PLUS $2,700

NHTSA ID

11377044

Incident

Sep 30, 2020

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING CEASED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO CHUCK RENZE FORD LOCATED AT 751 E LAKE SHORE DR, MANISTIQUE, MI 49854 REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V385000 (STEERING). THE VIN WAS INCLUDED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, THE MANUFACTURER HAD DECLINED TO HONOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,361.

NHTSA ID

11338188

Incident

Jun 30, 2020

Mileage

75,361 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD CROWN VICTORIA,.WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRESCOTT BROTHERS FORD LINCOLN OF PRINCETON, INC. (1502 W PERU ST, PRINCETON, IL 61356) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V385000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

NHTSA ID

11281336

Incident

Aug 1, 2019

Mileage

156,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AT A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

NHTSA ID

11257473

Incident

Jul 17, 2019

Mileage

155,000 mi

This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended.

This SKU is a Radiator Fan. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the electrical connections. An electrical connection issue may lead to the fan not working potentially throwing a check engine light for overheating.

Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition

Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition

The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate when reading these PIDs and cannot display quickly enough to validate a concern. The PCM automatically monitors these inputs more accurately and will set diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) when appropriate. Using these PIDs for diagnostics will lead to inaccurate results and improper ETB replacements. If a concern is intermittent and no DTCs are present, refer to historical DTCs and the PC/ED, Section 3 No DTCs Present Index chart for further information.

Inpected or repaired under 13R01 - Requests for recall service action under 13S08