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 Mercury Grand Marquis steering problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Mercury Grand Marquis in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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 ↗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 multiple steering failures in 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles. The most common complaint involves loss of power steering assist—either at engine startup or while driving at highway speeds—requiring excessive steering force and creating immediate control hazards. At least one owner crashed into a guard rail after sudden power steering failure at 65 mph.
Structural failures are also reported: one owner found the steering shaft fractured and detaching while driving at 35 mph. Another owner experienced simultaneous steering gear and column failure where turning the steering wheel produced no tire response.
Hard or chunky steering feel is mentioned in separate complaints, with one linked to corroded wiring in the battery harness and another requiring upper steering shaft replacement. One owner reports the steering wheel failing to lock when the engine is shut off.
Many of these complaints reference NHTSA Campaign 13V385000 (Steering), but owners state recall parts were unavailable or significantly delayed, leaving vehicles unrepaired. At least one owner was denied recall coverage due to unrelated vehicle damage and forced to purchase parts privately. Repairs attempted under the recall or by independents are reported to have recurred.
Same Mercury Grand Marquis steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering assist loss
Power steering suddenly stops functioning, requiring excessive force to steer the vehicle. Can occur at startup or while driving at highway speeds. Loss of steering assist without warning creates immediate loss of vehicle control.
When: At startup or during highway driving (20,000–140,000 miles reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive steering force required to maneuver; Loss of power steering assist at highway speed; Steering difficulty upon vehicle startup that may return once driving
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack replacement (Part Number 36-1056N); repairs were performed but failure recurred in at least one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign ID 13V385000 (Steering); recall parts were unavailable or delayed at time of complaints, preventing timely repair
Steering shaft fracture and detachment
Steering shaft becomes fractured and begins to detach from the column during normal driving, causing loss of steering control and vehicle pulling. Owner reported putting shaft back in place multiple times as temporary fix.
When: Unknown mileage; failure occurred while driving at 35 MPH
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulling to the left while driving; Steering shaft visibly fractured and detaching; Shaft required manual reinsertion by owner
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed by owner; vehicle was not professionally serviced for this issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner notified manufacturer via online chat; no recall or recall application mentioned
Hard or chunky steering feel
Steering becomes tight, stiff, or difficult to operate with a chunky or notchy quality when making turns. Owner reported concern about losing vehicle control due to steering difficulty.
When: During normal driving; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Tight steering feel; Hard or chunky steering response during turns; Concern about loss of vehicle control
Repairs/costs cited: One instance: battery harness assembly replaced due to corroded wiring; another: upper steering shaft replaced by Ford
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner mentioned Ford recalls 13S08 or 14S25 but uncertain if applicable
Steering wheel does not lock at engine shutoff
Steering wheel remains unlocked or does not engage locking mechanism when engine is turned off. This is a potential safety issue as the steering column should lock to prevent theft.
When: During normal operation; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel will not lock when engine is turned off
Repairs/costs cited: Owner states it was 'not fixed right' but provides no repair details
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner unsure if related to recall; repair was incomplete
Steering gear and column failure
Steering gear and steering column both fail, causing the steering wheel to turn but tires not to respond. This represents loss of steering control where wheel input does not transfer to road wheels.
When: Mileage not specified; occurred at stop sign during right turn attempt
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel turns but tires do not respond; Simultaneous steering gear and column malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Owner was denied recall repair due to other vehicle damage and had to purchase parts privately
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall (13V385000 or related) deemed inapplicable; no manufacturer-provided repair options available
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Steering wheel wont lock when I turn off the engine don't know if its part of a recall and didn't fix it right... Brake light when I step hard on brake pedal the brake light comes on for few seconds.
Had steering trouble with your 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis?
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 Mercury Grand Marquis?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 87,669 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/Mercury/Grand Marquis.
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.