total collapse of upper immediate steering shaft resulting on total separation/failure and complete loss of steering. this literally separated/fell apart in my hand when i was cleaning the front seat carpeting. i had just finished driving back from a 100 mile trip. if this would have happened on the freeway, i would have lost all steering of the vehicle resulting in catastrophic injury or death TO myself or others. i called ford and told them what happened. i found out there was a recall on this item. i found out this car was service for this before. even though this car went in for the recall, this item (upper steering shaft) has totally failed again. i have seen that this is COMMON for this steering to fail even after the initial recall "repair". this could have easily resulted in death and ford is willing to do nothing about it. one would think that of all components of a vehicle, the steering system would be safe and reliable. apparently ford does not care. they are aware of my auto failure and that it could cause certain death, but they are not interested in repairing this component that should be safe under all normal driving circumstances.
Mercury Grand Marquis power steering loss problems
45 of the 3,703 owner complaints about the Mercury Grand Marquis describe loss of power steering, most of them for the 2008 model year.
- owner complaints
- 45
- worst model year
- 2008
- typical mileage
- 91,000
By model year
Often reported together
Loss of power 8Stalling 4Headlights 3Pulling 2Ball joint 2Seat belt 1Engine failure 1
What owners say
My vehicle is from a northern state and came down to [XXX] and my intermediate shaft collapsed after looking up through ford if my recall had ever been done it shows that it had been done but the part that says it was replaced looked like it was never replaced and I had to fix that problem myself and then noticed that my steering wheel was not working properly so I looked under the dash and there was a green retainer that came out of the steering column and now my vehicle has no steering do to this and I believe ford should make this a recall cause a lot of people have had the same problems and I found that out looking it up INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Called Walker Ford in Clearwater, FL on 12/27/2025 at 09:35 am. I reported to them that two recalls that would pertain to my car, 13S08 and 13R01 needed to be performed as my steering bearing retainer has failed. They informed me it was repaired, but it has failed again. According to my research, regardless if its been performed or not, Ford is still liable to fix it again. A possible loss of steering could result in death or injury if not addressed. My contact info is [XXX] Thanks! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash. 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 contact owns a 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started and shifted into drive(D), the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that once the vehicle was driving the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering rack: Part Number: (A, 36-1056N) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure recurred. The contact researched the failure online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V385000 (Steering). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
First issue: The headlights and door chime stay on after key is removed and lights are off causing battery to drain while vehicle is not being operated. Second issue: 50 amp ignition fuse blows randomly while car is in motion which causes a complete loss of power to the car including: braking power and power steering assist. The tilt steering being raised or lowered fixes the problem temporairly on occasion. A clicking sound from the lighting control module is heard when adjusting the tilt steering also
Left home the other day I noticed that the steering had become was stiff when the wheels were straight..it wasn't bad turning till it was going straight..the next day the steering became stiff and erratic. It would work sometimes and it would be stiff...found out the lower steering shaft had frozen up..There was a recall back in 2013 doe the lower shaft with is breaking..My car was a Florida car but Ford supposed have fixed it because I was moving back to NY..Have been back in NY for 3 1/2 years now it froze up..The recall for cars in the northern states..Seeing I was moving back to NY they claimed they did the recall..it shouldn't have corroded that fast..I have no way to prove they did the recall or if they faked it..It is cleared as it had been repaired..
Ford panther vehicles had recirculating ball steering until 2002, redesigned to rack and pinion steering in 2003. Ford issued recall 13s08 for severe corrosion that can seize the lower intermediate steering shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate, covering 2005-2012 vehicles but not 2003 and 2004 vehicles having same parts and symptoms. Steering has become extremely stiff, steering wheel not returning to straight ahead on its own, and difficult to steer at all speeds. Ford dealer lubricated lower steering shaft 2 months ago, but symptoms returned in 2,000 miles. These symptoms are concern for real danger of complete loss of steering.
2004 grand marquis, power steering went out about 2 years ago, around 2016-2017, got it repaired at my expense. Was fine until about 4-5 months ago, started clicking/knocking noise when I turned steering wheel. This happens when stationary and when car is moving at any speed with turns. Also steering wheel does not return to center after turning unless I move it. It is also tight turning at times, feels like it is almost locking up sometimes. Afraid it will lock up and cause an accident. Not sure what the problem is but since 2005 and later models have been recalled for this issue think 2004 grand marquis need recall for this issue also. There are numerous reports of this issue and several accidents have happened because of this problem. This happens either stationary or at any speed on any surface. Mileage is just over 100,000 actual miles on my car.
Loss of power steering. Difficult to steer. Corrosion related defect in the lower intermediate shaft.
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
Questions about the Mercury Grand Marquis power steering loss
Which Mercury Grand Marquis years have loss of power steering problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2008 (7 complaints), 2003 (6 complaints) and 2004 (6 complaints).
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