2004 Ford Crown Victoria: steering wheel locks up

Filed Aug 22, 2019 · Steering · 96,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford crown victoria. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized while turning right or left. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred periodically. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 96,000.

Filed Sep 16, 2015 · Steering · 140,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford crown victoria. While driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact stated that the failure occurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Sep 16, 2015 · Steering · 106,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel seized making it difficult to make a left turn. In addition, the contact stated that the steering wheel was rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.

Filed Sep 8, 2014 · Steering · 118,565 miles · MI

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

Filed May 20, 2014 · 160,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that upon making a turn, the steering wheel seized making the vehicle difficult to control. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred when ever he was making a turn at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the lower steering shaft needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage were 160,000.

Filed Apr 7, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 87,106 miles · MI · crash · 1 injury

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