2005 Ford Crown Victoria: steering wheel locks up

Filed Aug 6, 2016 · Steering · 130,000 miles · MI

Today I was driving my 2005 ford crown victoria on a city street. I made a left hand 90 degree turn at a relatively slow speed. Upon turning the wheel back, the steering locked. To avoid hitting a parked car to the left, I forced the steering over forcefully. It felt as if the steering shaft was blocked by something. I pulled the car immediately over to a parking spot on my right. In the process of turning the wheel, the steering was suddenly normal, then very difficult, normal, then difficult, as if it were being intermittently hit. I opened the hood and found the left header heat shield, opposite of the steering shaft, separated from its normal position and was lodged between the steering shaft and the header. The heat shield was heavily corroded. I took a photo of it in its lodged position. I then removed the heat shield and attempted to move the steering wheel. It turned freely and normally. Due to my location, I had to drive the vehicle (which appeared drive-able) for another hour to my house.the vehicle has already been fixed by the recall involving the steering shaft replacement, and has been driven for many months since then. The steering shaft impacted the heat shield multiple times, collapsing part of the heat shield and leaving surface marks on the steering shaft. This may have caused damage to the steering system and/or shaft, apart from the fact that the heat shield is now absent, potentially further damaging other components. Thank you

Filed Jul 23, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 103,800 miles · PA

I was responding as a volunteer ambulance emt from my residence to the fire station for an emergency call when the steering locked up. I tried to turn the steering wheel back and forth while applying the brakes and it began to steer again. I continued to the station about 3/4 mile away, made the ambulance call. Upon completion of the call I lifted the hood and observed the lower joints of the steering shaft were rusty and corroded. I sprayed the joint with wd-40 and turned the steering back and forth. In preparation for a trip two days later I was checking the vehicle and found the "exhaust heat shield" lying on the frame between the engine and frame. It was then I figured the part had come off and jammed between the steering shaft and the frame causing a momentary loss of steering control. I have not replaced the heat shield. After a factory recall replacement of the lower shaft resulted in the car steering like new with very little effort for a month or so. I then noticed the steering seemed to bind again at times. I looked and the upper steering shaft is corroded so I sprayed the u joint contained in the upper shaft with lubricant. I contacted the dealer who said the upper shaft was not part of the recall so I called ford and was told the same thing. The upper shaft joint is experiencing the same failure as the lower shaft. Corrosion in the u joint is causing the needle bearings to not operate properly resulting in more difficult turning of the steering. I lubricate the joint at times. I believe the "upper steering shaft" should be included in a recall due to corrosion effecting the parts due to design not sufficient to prevent contaminates from entering the steering u joints. The "exhaust heat shield" was deteriorated due to corrosion of the mounting holes used to secure the shield to the exhaust manifold mounting bolts.

Filed Sep 24, 2013 · Lights, Steering · 54,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and after completing a left turn, the steering wheel seized without warning. In addition, the contact stated that low beam headlights intermittently failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the exhaust manifold heat shield and the light control module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000 and the current mileage was 60,000. ..updated 05/20/14 *bf the consumer stated the steering wheel did not seize. It became difficult to turn when going around corners. Updated 05/28/2014

Filed May 2, 2013 · Steering · 36,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and after completing a left turn, the steering wheel seized. The failure recurred numerous times. The VIN was unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 36,000.

Filed Aug 22, 2012 · Steering · 93,000 miles · IL

On or about 7/23/12 was turning vehicle into a parking lot when steering locked. Forced steering to return. Went to move vehicle again and steering locked again. Upon inspection, saw heat shield had detached from manifold along side steering column and jammed between exhaust manifold and steering knuckle. *tr..updated 05/20/14 *bf updated 05/28/2014