Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford crown victoria. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized and required excessive force to maneuver. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,565. Updated 10/22/14*cn the consumer stated the vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer. The universal joints in the steering shaft were corroded. The 2005 crown victoria was recalled for the same thing. The manufacturer was notified. Updated 4/6/2015
2004 Ford Crown Victoria steering complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 19 of 19, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the steering wheel became loose. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was confirmed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Steering column (lower shaft) was replaced by all american ford in paramus nj on 25 october 2011 with a later type shaft (per receipt a 2006 part number). Steering now binds severely at any speed, particularly along the center, in mild turns (such as on a highway). Have attempted to lubricate the u-joints, but the effect is only temporary. Vehicle is unsafe to drive at this point, and it is unacceptable that a critical system such as steering should fail so shortly in the vehicles life span.
The steering column tightens up periodically, results in hard steering, have been using wd40 to loosen up , noticed recall for 2005 model years and up. Blower motor shuts down periodically resulting in loss of vision from lack of defrosters, problem is a hard to reach connector plug underneath hood,tried cleaning,will not clear problem,no corrosion noticed.headlights repaired under recall, lighting control module replaced.
Driving s on m-10 from I-94 to I-75 entrance ramp. I entered the ramp at 25- 30 MPH when the steering locked up, I could not turn the wheel. Before I knew it I hit the curb and then rolled over approx. 3 times down an embankment and finally hitting a concrete barrier which stopped the car. After the accident, the heat shield from the drivers side exhaust manifold was found under the car, you could see it rusted off and you could see the marks on it where it jammed the steering shaft and the engine block (still have the part). Because of the cost cutting in materials in the manufacturing of this heat shield out of sheet metal and not out of stainless steel it is the cause of this accident. Now because of this inferior design and the accident it caused, I'm dealing with tbi, ptsd, pba, neck injury, lower back injury (which is affecting my legs making it difficult to walk). A few days before the accident I graduated with a bachelors degree in marketing, but now because of my injuries I am unable to work. This needless accident has caused me financial hardship, I lost my home, unable to pay my student loans, unable to pay my bills. This all stems from someone at ford's deciding to cut costs in the manufacturing of the heat shield out of sheet metal instead out of stainless steel. Ford should have realized that a majority of these crown victoria's are owned in areas where salt is used in the winter. You would think ford's being located in dearborn, michigan would use common sense in their design of this part, knowing salt is heavily used in snow removal in michigan. They saved a few dollars, but in doing so they ruined my life !! I just wonder how many accidents where caused by this poor design? I wonder how many other lives have been ruined and don't realize it was caused by this defected design. I was just lucky to find the part to show what caused this accident. ..updated 05/20/14 *bf...updated 08/10/15*bf updated 8/17/17
Beginning in summer 2013, steering became noticeably tighter when making slow speed turns. November 2013 the vehicle was brought to a ford dealership to have an alignment due to tires continuously wearing on inside walls, which I suspect is due to the steel wheel recall (the federal safety agency campaign number: 07v079000) but ford will not honor if the car is in private posession. After the vehicle was serviced, I was advised the steering shaft was severely corroded. Upon research, I discovered other owners experincing the same issues. Ford issued a recall (ford recall #13s08) to inspect and replace the upper and lower steering shaft only for 2005-2011 models. The dealership advised me to contact ford directly, and I did. I expressed my concerns that this in an immediate safety concern and feel that it should be included in the recall. I was advised by ford that they spoke with the service manager at my dealership and verified that my car is indeed having issues that are exactly like the recall included. I was told that my car was not included in a recall and that they would keep my information on file for them to review in the event of a future recall. I am having an independent mechanic replace the upper and lower shaft as soon as possible because of the high chance it could become disengaged and render the vehicle inoperable. I strongly urge the federal safety agency to investigate this and other cases of 2004 crown victoria (cvpi) owners who complain of both the steering issue and the recall that ford fails to fix on the steel wheels. The vehicle is no longer in fleet use, but that does not make the underlying problem of the defective steel wheels not the responsibility of ford. They need to inspect and replace the wheels just as they would for any other recall regardless of the current owner, how a recall should work.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the head lights failed. The contact also stated that a few months later, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the steering shaft needed to be replaced and that they could not determine the cause of the headlight failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 68,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford crown victoria. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, he turned the steering wheel but had to increase his effort. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic for inspection and they stated that the steering column shaft was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,298.
2004 ford crown victoria lx. 4 door sedan. Steering column is not aligned with front seat. The column is 3" off center towards the drivers door .ford reps. Tell me that's the way the car was manufactured. That's fine, but if you happen to have a health condition such as a chronic back problem its very bothersome to the point of having to sell the car. Too bad, I used to be a ford guy but I am forced to shop at a different dealer.
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