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 ↗2008 Ford Crown Victoria steering problems
critical 25 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
4crashes
1fire
2injuries
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 25 steering complaints filed for the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
How fast does it fail?
Cumulative share of the 13 mileage-bearing steering complaints filed against the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria by each odometer reading. Median failure: 96,000 mi.
10% have failed by48,611 mi
Half the fleet by96,000 mi
90% have failed by179,000 mi
Curve based on owner-reported odometer mileage at the time of complaint. Reflects when owners filed, not when symptoms first appeared. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve.
What stands out
Steering accounts for 50% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 25 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report two dominant failure patterns in the 2008 Crown Victoria steering system: excessive play and separation of the intermediate or lower steering shaft where it connects to the rack and pinion, and complete mechanical separation of upper and lower steering column shafts that severs all connection between the steering wheel and front wheels.
The first pattern manifests as knock noises during turns, wandering steering on bumps, and steering that binds then suddenly goes loose. Owners describe rotating the steering shaft a quarter-turn while parked with the vehicle off. The second pattern is catastrophic: steering wheel spins freely with a loud snap or pop, and the wheel completes full rotations while the vehicle continues straight.
These failures occur across a wide mileage range (41,500–180,000 miles). Several police officers and deputies have experienced sudden loss of control at highway speeds; at least one fatal crash is referenced. Plastic components in the steering column—bushings and the steering knuckle itself—fracture or wear excessively. Corrosion of the lower intermediate shaft is also reported.
Dealers and technicians attribute failures to broken or separated bearings, worn plastic bushings, and splined shaft separation. Ford issued multiple recalls (13R01, 13S08, 13V385000, 14V704000), yet owners report their vehicles excluded by VIN, recall work incomplete (retaining clips not installed), or failures recurring shortly after recall repair. Repair costs range from roughly $1,100 to $1,600 for full steering column replacement, which dealers often deny under warranty citing closed recalls.
Same Ford Crown Victoria steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2009 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Intermediate Steering Shaft Looseness and Play
Excessive play develops where the intermediate (or lower intermediate) steering shaft connects to the rack and pinion, resulting in a loose connection that allows the shaft to rotate freely relative to the pinion gear.
When: 41,567 to 180,000 miles; some failures reported at 96,000–117,000 miles; timing varies widely
Symptoms owners cite: Knocking noise when turning steering wheel left to right; Wandering steering wheel over bumps; Steering wheel becomes hard to turn then rapidly loose and binds up during turns; Excessive rotational play in steering shaft (owners report quarter-turn rotation while parked); Steering wheel spins freely with no effect on front wheels
Repairs/costs cited: One owner cited dealer quote of $1,600 for full steering column replacement; another cited $1,093.60 for steering column repairs; dealers have replaced lower exterior steering shaft and entire steering column assemblies
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford recall 13R01, 13S08, 13V385000, and 14V704000 address steering failures; however, owners report recall repairs incomplete (no retaining clip installed to prevent bearing separation), vehicles excluded from recall by VIN, or failures recurring after recall work
Steering Shaft Separation (Upper and Lower)
Splined steering shafts in the column separate from each other, severing mechanical connection between steering wheel and front wheels. Light green plastic bushings break or wear excessively; black plastic on splined shaft becomes chewed up.
When: 41,567 to 180,000 miles; predominantly affects higher-mileage units but can occur at low speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of steering control with steering wheel spinning freely; Loud snap or popping noise during steering input; Steering wheel completes full 360-degree rotation while vehicle continues straight; No mechanical connection between steering wheel and front wheels; Steering wheel remains loose and unresponsive to inputs
Repairs/costs cited: Requires full steering column replacement; one fleet technician (ASE Master, 30 years experience) replaced entire steering column and clock-spring; repair costs range from $1,093.60 to $1,600+
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 13R01, 13S08, 13V385000, and 14V704000 issued; however, dealers have declined coverage citing recall closed-out status, and repeat failures occur post-recall repair (complaint #14 states failure recurred after 14V704000 repair at 41,567 miles)
Bearing Failure and Separation (Upper/Lower Bearing)
Bearings connecting upper and lower steering shafts fail and extend from their housing, or separate entirely. Retaining clips designed to prevent separation are not installed during recall repairs.
When: 117,000 to 180,000 miles; can manifest intermittently
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent stiffness in steering; Bearing extends visibly from its housing; Loss of power steering assist; Steering column becomes difficult to operate
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have replaced entire steering column; one service estimated $1,600 for full column replacement; original 2013 recall work replaced only the lower exterior shaft without installing retaining clip
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford recall 13R01 and 13V385000 specifically reference bearing failure; dealers replaced lower exterior steering shaft during 2013 work but declined to install retaining clip or address bearing separation risk
Steering Knuckle and Plastic Bushing Damage
Plastic components in the steering knuckle and lower bushing area fracture, break, or wear excessively. Plastic becomes brittle and fails under normal steering loads.
When: At 98,000–106,000 miles for knuckle fracture; bushing damage reported across mileage range
Symptoms owners cite: Fractured steering knuckle (plastic component); Steering wheel has no resistance and spins continuously; Granular feeling in steering column; Lower bushing separates from or extends out of steering column tube; Small plastic parts found on floor beneath steering column
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer offered to replace plastic with rubber band (complaint #4); one case required full steering column work with plastic bushing replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer offered no assistance in complaint #4; plastic components replaced as part of full steering column overhauls in other cases
Steering Shaft Corrosion
Steering shaft components corrode, most notably the lower intermediate shaft. Corrosion may contribute to material weakness and separation failures.
When: Varies; evident at 141,000 miles in one report; upper shaft may have been replaced previously on some vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Visible corrosion on lower intermediate steering shaft; Loss of power steering assist associated with corrosion; Upper shaft less corroded than lower, suggesting prior replacement on some units
Repairs/costs cited: No direct repair costs cited for corrosion alone; corrosion noted during inspection but vehicle not formally repaired in complaint #9
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 14 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford crown victoria. The contact stated that the upper and lower bearings separated from the vehcle, causing the power steering to fail. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 13v385000 (steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000.
Takata recall for some odd reason any little bump or in level ground I go over , the steering wheel response is horrible. Also my check gas cap light comes on and I changed the fuel pump twice & horrible fumes floats around inside my car cabin.
Unmarked police crown victoria sedan traveling in left lane of 4-lane, grass median-separated highway with posted speed limit 55 MPH. Police officer driver deceased in crash. Witnesses report: after entering highway, vehicle accelerated to high rate of speed; in vicinity police median turnaround, police strobe lights went on; vehicle started wobbling and moving gradually to left in straight path.…
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…
Tl* the contact owns 2008 Ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was a loss of steering control. The contact then unexpectedly crashed into another vehicle. The driver and front seat passenger sustained injuries to the neck, back and body. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent auto center for investigation. Three weeks…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford crown victoria. The contact stated that the repair for NHTSA campaign number: 14v704000 (steering) was performed, but the failure recurred. The contact heard a loud popping noise while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered that the steering wheel lower shaft separated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was…
On wednesday, october 10 at approximately 3:45 pm trooper was traveling on reservoir avenue in the city of cranston. As the trooper approached the on-ramp for route 10 south he attempted to turn onto the ramp. As he did so he heard a loud snap and the steering wheel kept turning without turning the front wheels. He applied the brakes and went up onto the curbing next to the ramp. When he…
Inspection found dislocated bushing. *tr
Inspection found dislocated bushing. *tr
Inspection found dislocated bushing. *tr
Had steering trouble with your 2008 Ford Crown Victoria?
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 2008 Ford Crown Victoria?
It's a serious issue. 25 complaints have been filed, including 4 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 22 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 58,578 and 146,800 miles, with the median around 98,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 58,578; a quarter make it past 146,800. 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/2008/Ford/Crown Victoria.
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.