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 Mercury Grand Marquis steering problems
severe 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 21 steering complaints filed for the 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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.
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Mercury Grand Marquis we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 21.
Steering accounts for 27% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 8 categories tracked.
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis has a documented history of critical steering failures. The most severe involve complete loss of steering control, where the steering column shaft separates or the steering wheel detaches entirely—incidents occurring around 40k to 90k miles, with at least two causing crashes. Owners describe a siren-like or clicking noise precluding the failure.
Ford issued recall 13V385000 (13S08) in late 2013 for lower intermediate steering shaft replacement, but this was a piecemeal fix. One owner's shaft failed only 4,800 miles after the recall repair. The replacement parts appear to use the same plastic retainer design with cracked clips that caused the original failures—creating a ticking time bomb rather than a solution.
Power steering loss also occurs frequently and suddenly, making the wheel lock hard or spin freely with no effect. Some failures are intermittent and progressive; dealers have been unable to duplicate the problem even on two visits.
Owners report corrosion-related failures, particularly in northern climates, despite claimed recall repairs done when the vehicle was registered in Florida. One vehicle seized completely after 3.5 years up north. Steering column bearings have cracked and shed material, and subframes have shown rust.
Hard steering in cold weather and speed-sensitive steering complaints appear in multiple narratives. Recall service was delayed by parts shortages, leaving some vehicles unrepaired for extended periods.
Same Mercury Grand Marquis steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Steering column shaft failure/separation
Upper or lower intermediate steering shaft separates, cracks, or breaks, resulting in complete loss of steering control. Some reports cite plastic retainer clips that crack or fail, causing the shaft to slide apart.
When: Mostly 39k–90k miles; one as late as 140k after lower shaft recall repair at 39k
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of complete steering control; Steering wheel spins freely with no response; Abnormal siren-like or clicking noise before failure; Strange feeling in steering; Steering column lowering unintendedly
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 13V385000, NHTSA Campaign 14V704000, Ford Safety Recall 13S08
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of lower intermediate steering shaft (recall repair); replacement of upper intermediate steering shaft; replacement of entire steering column assembly (Ford part 7W1Z-3C529-A, which owners report is designed the same as the failed part). One owner reported using a zip tie as a temporary fix.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued NHTSA Recall 13V385000 and Safety Recall 13S08 starting late 2013, involving inspection and replacement of lower intermediate steering shaft. However, recall repairs only covered one component; parts shortages delayed service. Ford stated recall repairs are one-time fixes with no warranty beyond recall period. One owner experienced upper shaft failure only 4,800 miles after lower shaft recall repair.
Power steering loss or seizure
Power steering assist fails completely or intermittently, making the steering wheel extremely hard to turn or unusable. Some failures are intermittent; others are sudden and persistent.
When: 47k–70k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering assist without warning; Steering wheel extremely difficult to maneuver; Vehicle drifts left or right with no steering input; Intermittent power steering failure that recurs and worsens; Loud abnormal noise (described as siren-like) before failure
Codes mentioned: Related to NHTSA Campaign 13V385000
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers were unable to duplicate the problem on two inspection attempts. One vehicle was destroyed in a crash; no repair attempted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in some cases but did not provide warranty coverage or repair authorization beyond the recall campaign.
Steering column bearing damage and corrosion
Steering column bearings corrode, crack, or fracture. One owner reported a chunk of bearing material falling out of the column. Another was found to have significant corrosion during inspection.
When: No specific mileage stated in most cases; corrosion noted in one vehicle at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal noise from steering wheel or column; Visible corrosion in steering column assembly; Chunk of bearing material detaching; Steering column declared unsafe by dealer
Repairs/costs cited: One bearing failure mentioned but not specifically repaired in the narrative. Corrosion noted; subframe also found rusted in one vehicle.
Hard steering in cold weather or during quick turns
Power steering becomes stiff and difficult to operate, particularly in cold weather or when making rapid turns. Speed-sensitive steering is cited as a potential design issue.
When: Cold weather occurrences; no specific mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel turns very hard in cold conditions; Difficult steering during quick turns; Almost caused accidents
Repairs/costs cited: No repair noted; owner sought information rather than repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented; owner reported talking to other Ford owners with the same issue but receiving no explanation.
Frozen lower steering shaft
Lower steering shaft seizes or freezes, becoming immovable. Related to the 2013 recall for lower shaft breaking, but corrosion in cold/northern climates may have caused premature failure despite claimed recall repair.
When: After 3.5 years in northern climate; original recall repair claimed in 2013 for Florida-registered vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Steering becomes stiff when wheels straight; Steering stiff and erratic; Lower steering shaft frozen; Corrosion suspected
Codes mentioned: Related to NHTSA Campaign 13V385000 for lower shaft breaking
Repairs/costs cited: Owner suspects the recall repair may not have been completed or was done improperly, but has no proof.
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercury grand marquis. While driving 35 MPH, the power steering seized without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 56,000.
Vehicle serviced at framingham Ford 12/19/13 inv 331045 3/17/14 inv 333649 regarding Ford safety recall 13s08/NHTSA recall 13v385 steering column shaft. In may 2016 I experienced occasional but unusual steering stiffness when making a right turn. Contacted framingham Ford and fmc to express my concern for steering safety as related to the safety recall repairs. Framingham Ford responded…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercury grand marquis. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH and attempting a left turn, a loud abnormal noise was heard from the vehicle as the power steering assist failed. The contact lost steering control of the vehicle and crashed into a ditch, causing the air bags to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the left hip and right leg. A…
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V385000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the lower intermediate shaft was replaced. The contact stated that it was determined that the upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing did not need to be replaced at the time. Several years after…
The gear shift id on the dash board has quit working, and we can only identify the gear that we have engaged by feel. Also, we have a recurring problem with the left rear turn signal flash going bad. When this happens, the turn signal flashes at a super fast rate. Both of these problems are safety issues. The gear shift problem happened while the car was stationary, the turn signal problem…
Had steering trouble with your 2008 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 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis?
It's a meaningful issue. 21 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 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 50,000 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 68,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 90,000. 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/2008/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.