RoadVitals

2011 Ford Crown Victoria

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
Latest Mar 11, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Nov 5, 2014
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 23 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Ford Crown Victoria, most frequently naming the steering, interior & seats and suspension categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 21 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Steering1238.7%
  • Interior & seats412.9%
  • Suspension412.9%
  • Engine39.7%
  • Powertrain (other)26.5%
  • Body & structure13.2%
  • Visibility13.2%
  • Brakes13.2%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

STEERING:RACK AND PINION:PINION SHAFT

Nov 5, 2014
36,888 units potentially affected
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 CompanyManufacturer number 14S25View on NHTSA.gov

STEERING

Aug 29, 2013
355,000 units potentially affected
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 CompanyManufacturer number 13S08View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 11, 2025
Crash reported

Unknown

NHTSA ID
11647631
Incident
Mar 11, 2025
Steering
Filed Apr 28, 2023

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 ID
11519486
Incident
Apr 21, 2023
Steering
Filed Apr 28, 2023

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 ID
11519396
Incident
Apr 14, 2023
Steering
Filed Aug 6, 2021

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 ID
11428047
Incident
Jul 8, 2021
Mileage
160,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 14, 2021

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 FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ID
11388103
Incident
Jan 2, 2020
Mileage
82,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 13, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11338977
Incident
Jan 1, 2020
Mileage
74,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 30, 2020

MY STEERING I SUPER HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL WHEN PARKED AS WELL AS DRIVING. IT IS BECAUSE OF THE STEERING SHAFT IS RUSTED OUT AND VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE .I JUST FOUND OUT THAT FORD HAD A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BUT I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT IT

NHTSA ID
11322802
Incident
Feb 14, 2020
SteeringSuspension
Filed May 20, 2019

THERE IS A RECALL ON MY CAR,THE RITE FRONT WHEEL IS MAKING POPING SOUNDS.

NHTSA ID
11208767
Incident
Feb 9, 2019
Mileage
207,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SSM 54601

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY

Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k

SSM 52476

EQUIPMENT

All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is lost, follow these steps to recover the code. Dealer Key Code access is granted through the Dealer Program Enrollment System (DPES); dealership management can authorize users. The authorized user must go to FMCDealer.com > Parts and Service > Parts Product Line Information > Keys/Entry Devices > Aftermarket Keyless Entry Keypad Code Access. Follow the instructions on the screen to obtain the master code for the accessory keypad.

DOR-L2Q6V-10

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE

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.

SSM 48130

VISIBILITY; VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in some car wash solutions as a cleaning agent. Hydrofluoric acid can attack the glass and cause visual distortion and/or discoloration on the outer surface which cannot be removed by further cleaning. If this type of distortion is found, inspect the area of the glass that is covered by the cowl and/or molding. The portion of glass that is covered by the cowl or molding will not be affected by the acid. Hydrofluoric acid damage is not a defect in material or workmanship and is not a warrantable condition.

SSM 47976

POWER TRAIN

On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A even if grease was not applied from the factory. Also verify that the engine/transmission alignment dowel pins are present as well as the engine crankshaft dowel pin, if equipped, when installing the transmission. Failure to adequately lubricate the converter hub greatly increases the likelihood of the flexplate cracking in the future. Missing dowels may cause a misalignment issue also resulting in a premature failure. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 307-01.

SSM 47201

EQUIPMENT

Replacing the original equipment SYNC/Navigation system with either an aftermarket SYNC/Navigation kit or modifying original SYNC/Navigation parts to provide additional features is not recommended nor supported on any Ford, Mercury or Lincoln vehicle. Only approved Genuine Ford accessories or originally installed systems are supported and certified to function correctly with other vehicle systems. If you suspect a system has been modified, the following resources can be used to verify original equipment: Monroney Label (Window Sticker), Professional Technician Society (PTS) OASIS tab  select SYNC or HVBOM. For Genuine Ford accessories use: PTS Workshop Tab  select Dealer Installed Accessory or Accessory Installation.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Crown Victoria by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012000
2011Viewing232041.9
2010122053.4
2009442050.1
2008503363.9
2007504468.7
2006533364.4
20051936761.5
20041383656.9
20032497962.7
2002585367.1
2001537766.5
20008510558.5
19991348760.7
199811910962.4
1997288111062.7
1996276121063.9
199525012764.4
19941927465.9
199318291065.4
199231091065.8
1991554264.8
1990433367.7
1989722367.0
1988422265.0
1987414370.4
1986271365.6
1985210257.4
1984612
1983522
1982301
1981201
1980201

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.