For 2005-2012 Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Grand Marquis and Town Car vehicles, Regional Program 13R01 applies to vehicles not registered in corrosion states and not included in Safety Recall 13S08, where operation in high corrosion areas for an extended period may lead to corrosion in the lower intermediate steering shaft swing link. This may result in a compressed upper intermediate steering shaft and separation from the steering column, which can result in a loss of steering control. Vehicles covered under 13R01 that were inspected or repaired without replacement of the lower intermediate shaft, and have relocated to high corrosion areas, may experience subsequent corrosion of the lower inte
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Lincoln Town Car steering problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
3crashes
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Lincoln Town Car in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Inpected or repaired under 13R01 - Requests for recall service action under 13S08
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD: THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, HAS CORROSION OF SWING LINK JOINTS, COMBINED WITH COLLAPSED UPPER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, RESULTING IN STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. MODEL 2005-2011 CROWN VICTORIA, GRAND MARQUIS, TOWN CAR. UPDATED 04/23/14 UPDATED 07/10/15 UPDATED 7/15/15
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD: SWING LINK JOINTS ON LOWER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, HAS CORROSION, AND COMBINED WITH COLLAPSED UPPER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, ON SOME VEHICLES, CAUSES STEERING COLUMN TO SEPARATE, LEADING TO STEERING CONTROL LOSS. MODEL 2005-2011 CROWN VICTORIA, GRAND MARQUIS, TOWN CAR.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗LIGHT STEERING EFFORTS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report steering column lock-up and intermediate shaft failure as the dominant issue. The lower shaft can fail, then the upper shaft fails months later—a pattern suggesting incomplete original repair or defective replacement parts. One owner had their vehicle inspected and declared safe under recall 13V385000 on 11/18/13, then the steering locked solid while driving to the dealer for repair work three months later.
Several vehicles developed steering column separation from the bearing during low-speed driving and reversing. A few owners discovered their VINs were excluded from recall 14V704000 despite having matching failure modes. One dealer wanted $2,600 to correct an improperly performed recall repair.
Rack and pinion replacement under the recall sometimes led to loud steering noise afterward. A tie rod failure at 55,000 miles caused loss of control. One unusual complaint involved foot pedal adjustment retracting away from the driver at highway speed, putting the brakes out of reach.
Recall parts availability was a problem—owners waited over two months for parts, some turned to independent mechanics when dealers couldn't deliver timely service, and one was denied reimbursement for out-of-pocket repairs.
Same Lincoln Town Car steering reports on nearby years: 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Steering column lock-up / intermediate shaft failure
Lower and/or upper intermediate shaft components fail, causing the steering wheel to seize solid or become unable to turn. The column assembly can separate from its bearing.
When: 69,104 to 186,000 miles; failures reported during turns, reversing, and normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locked up solid mid-turn; Steering wheel seized while in reverse; Steering column coming apart; Unpredictable locking
Repairs/costs cited: Lower shaft replacement alone proved insufficient; upper shaft assembly failed 14 months later. Complete upper and lower shaft replacement required. One dealer quoted $2,600 to correct an incomplete initial recall repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Related to NHTSA recalls 13V385000 and 14V704000 (steering). Some VINs were excluded from recall 14V704000 despite similar failures. Incomplete repair protocols resulted in repeat failures.
Power steering malfunction and column separation
Power steering system fails concurrent with steering column structural failure, causing loss of steering control and column detachment from bearing.
When: 135,000 miles and higher
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering malfunctioned while driving and parking; Steering column separated from lower bearing; Manifold plate detached into steering shaft
Repairs/costs cited: Steering shaft replacement required. One vehicle at 135,000 miles was not repaired because VIN was not included in recall 13V385000.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 13V385000 coverage gaps; some vehicles excluded despite failure modes matching recall criteria.
Rack and pinion noise after recall repair
Loud steering noise develops shortly after rack and pinion replacement under recall 13V385000, suggesting improper installation or defective replacement component.
When: 107,301 miles; noise appeared post-repair
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise from steering wheel after recall repair
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion was replaced under recall but not repaired after noise developed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 13V385000 (steering); repair performed but follow-up service not documented.
Tie rod failure
Front passenger side tie rod failed, causing immediate loss of vehicle control and crash at low speed.
When: 55,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger side front tie rod failed; Loss of vehicle control; Crash at 20 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to insurance repair shop for repairs; failure had not recurred at 65,000 miles.
Foot pedal adjustment (seat/pedal assembly)
Power pedal adjustment mechanism malfunctions during driving, causing sudden and uncommanded retraction away from driver, rendering brake and accelerator pedals unreachable.
When: At highway speed, approximately 45 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Uncommanded retraction of foot pedal adjustment to maximum distance; Pedals moved out of driver reach; Nearly impossible to activate brakes or accelerator
Repairs/costs cited: Driver manually disengaged seat belt and slid under dash to reach pedals; used control switch to restore position.
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2006 Lincoln Town Car?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2006 Lincoln Town Car?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 75,811 and 135,000 miles, with the median around 110,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 75,811; a quarter make it past 135,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Lincoln/Town Car.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.