I have a 2008 ford crown victoria (p71) police interceptor. I am having a knocking noise when I turn the steering wheel left to right. The noise is accompanied by a wandering steering wheel when the vehicle goes over bumps. Also the steering wheel sometimes becomes hard to turn then rapidly becomes loose like something is binding up, then finally breaking free throughout the turn. This happens when taking low speed wide turns. After inspecting the steering components I noticed my excessive play where tje intermittent steering shaft attatches to the rack n pinion. I think my upper shaft may have been replaced before since it is not nearly as corroded as the lower intermittent shaft. I can rotate the whole shaft about a quarter turn in either direction while the car parked and at the end of each turn the knock resonates near the lower intermediate steering shaft knuckle to where it connects into tje pinion gear of the rack n pinion. Now, I inspected all steering and suspension components and they are all in good shape....no play anywhere 8n the system besides the "recalled" steering shaft! I have two kids and if I get into an accident and they get hurt because a "recalled" part didnt get replaced by ford when it should have(for free) I will never forgive the company responsible. Honoring a free replacement for an obviously poorly engineered and defective factory part seems to be tje rigjt thing to do.....so where is my recall and why doesnt it show up when I search my cars VIN no??? This needs to be fixed before someone gets seriously injured or even dies. I dont make a lot of money and this needs to be fixed for free lile it was on all the other vehicles. It drives lile new besides the scary knock and wandering steering. It's just ridiculous not to recall this part!
Ford Crown Victoria pulling problems
21 of the 2,855 owner complaints about the Ford Crown Victoria describe pulls to one side, most of them for the 1999 model year.
- owner complaints
- 21
- worst model year
- 1999
By model year
- 20111
- 20081
- 20011
- 20001
- 19995
- 19981
- 19972
- 19964
- 19951
- 19943
- 19921
Often reported together
Ball joint 2Steering noise 1Power steering loss 1Jerking 1Headlights 1Harsh shifting 1Grinding brakes 1
What owners say
Steering this car was a nightmare always pulling to the right. Also brakes constantly grabbing and screeching. Also headlight and suspension problems. Was not happy with this car from start but was slammed into by dealership and chase... I am a senior citizen 76 years old. Please help.
The steering wheel wanders from left to right while driving on the highway. Driver took vehicle to the dealership,but mechanic could not duplicate the problem at this time. Driver had an accident last month due to this problem. But he was able to control the vehicle to safety, there were no physical injuries nor fatalities to report.
Vehicle wanders all over the road. Took vehicle to mechanic, and had vehicle aligned, but problem still exists. Consumer took vehicle to ford. Ford adjusted steering box, and stated that replacing gear box may not correct the problem. *ak the dealer lowered the tire pressure as a possible solution for the steering problem. The pitman arm and idler arm had been replaced.
While braking vehicle pulled to the right, mechanic determined lower control arm bracket weld had broken on right side. *ak
Abs applied brakes with car in cruise control at 65 MPH, than brakes were applied to right front which caused the car to pull to the right, left front brakes were applied which caused the car to pull to the left, also lost brake power where you had to really get on the brakes to get the car to stop like the car had no power brakes at all, car right now sets in the driveway as my wife drives the cars and I feel it is a matter of time before this car is involved in a serious crash and I feel it is to dangerous to allow my family to be in the car.
Severe sensitive steering causes difficulty in maintainning vehicle on road while driving. Vehicle wanders across road. Vehicle been in / out of dealer shop on three occasions, and unable to locate cause. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
When deperessing brakes vehicle would travel to right intermittently. Dealer has been notified, can't fine cause. *ak when traveling at low speed and gently braking to slow down, the vehicle pulls to the right or left strongly. After several miles driving the brakes return normal.
Clearcoat of paint coming off in blocks/strips,fly onto windshield while driving, paint rusting. Brake pedal doesn't return up, pops up when turning & rough on rough rd.,wear out quickly. Elec. Dr. Locks don't work. Driver elec. Seat wont go back,engine:spark knock,car pulls left, engine check light goes on,solenoid replaced 3x,fuse blows for interior lts cluster,difficulty removing key from igniition,seat track covers off, climate control inoperable preceeded by initial hot air from A/C, steering wheel vibrates,hood latch difficult to close.
When applying brakes on a damp road vehicle pulls to the left. Manufacturer states that this is a normal condition.vehicle will be checked by dealership. Please provide any further information.
Related recalls
Steering: rack and pinion: pinion shaft
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 14V704000 · Recall details
Steering
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Recall number 13V385000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages
- What is wrong
- The pitman arms were not fully lubricated at the assembly plant. The "ball joint" at the outer end of the pitman arm can become contaminated and corrode.
- Risk
- Such corrosion can result in abnormal wear of the joint, resulting in separation of the joint. Loss of steering control can occur increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the vehicles and if the joint is found to have significant wear, the arm will be replaced. Those pitman arms not replaced will have the "ball joint" fully greased.
Recall number 96V135000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Crown Victoria pulling
Which Ford Crown Victoria years have pulls to one side problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1999 (5 complaints), 1996 (4 complaints) and 1994 (3 complaints).
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