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 ↗2009 Ford Crown Victoria steering problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 17 steering complaints filed for the 2009 Ford Crown Victoria, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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
Steering accounts for 39% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 4 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 ↗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 describe multiple distinct steering failures in the 2009 Crown Victoria. The most dangerous are sudden loss of steering control: one driver's steering wheel fractured while reversing, another experienced shaft separation at 35 mph causing a curb crash, a third attempted a right turn but the vehicle went straight into oncoming traffic. A fourth reported steering seizure at 20 mph.
The root causes vary by complaint. Some involve steering column bearing displacement—tabs breaking, the bearing pulling loose from the column—producing noise and looseness before total failure. Others cite intermediate steering shaft separation or universal joint binding in the lower and upper shafts, causing unpredictable steering behavior. One owner reports the steering column design itself is flawed: two metal pieces joined at top and bottom with no locking mechanism, allowing vibration to work the connection loose over time. A heat-related retaining ring failure is also mentioned.
Several complaints reference NHTSA recalls (13S08, 13R01, 13V385000, 14V704000) for the steering column or shaft. Owners state that dealers performed inspections, found defects including broken bearing tabs, but refused or were unable to complete repairs. Multiple owners report calling Ford directly and being told the company will not honor the recalls, despite parts being listed as covered.
Same Ford Crown Victoria steering reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Steering wheel shaft fracture/snap
Steering wheel shaft cracked or broke under light turning force, leaving the driver unable to steer the vehicle via the wheel. Owner had to turn the shaft by hand to park.
When: In driveway during reverse; occurred at 40,000 miles in another report
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel stuck or caught on something; Steering wheel snapped with minimal force; Total loss of steering wheel control
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer (Prouty Ford, Dover Foxcroft) claimed to have worked on and fixed the shaft, but owner stated it did not seem fixed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall 13S08 cited; owner stated Ford refused to honor recall; another complaint notes recall 13V385000 (Steering) and 14V704000 (Steering) were issued
Steering column intermediate shaft separation
Upper or lower intermediate steering shaft separated or detached from the steering column assembly during driving, causing loss of steering control.
When: At various speeds; one instance at ~35 mph; another at 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Shaft separated causing loss of vehicle control; Vehicle continued straight when driver attempted turn; Crash into curb or oncoming traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle had to be towed; one damaged but drivable after hitting curb
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 13S08/13R01 and 13V385000 mentioned; dealer told owner recall did not cover steering wheel itself; owner reported Ford refusing to service parts covered under recall
Lower steering column bearing displacement
Lower steering column bearing became loose, partially displaced, or detached from the steering column, causing noise and looseness in the column.
When: At 338,000 miles in one report; timing not specified in others
Symptoms owners cite: Looseness and noise in steering column; Bearing partially displaced; Two tabs of bearing found broken in driver footwell area
Repairs/costs cited: Visual inspection performed but no repairs made at the time despite finding bearing displacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 13V385000 (Steering) inspection performed; no repairs deemed necessary despite visual evidence of looseness and broken tabs
Power steering malfunction and steering wheel binding
Power steering system failed, causing the steering wheel to become stiff and difficult or impossible to turn in either direction.
When: At 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction; Power steering malfunctioned during driving
Repairs/costs cited: Cause not determined; vehicle previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign 14V704000 (Steering)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 14V704000 (Steering) was issued; Berlin City Ford and manufacturer notified but no assistance offered
Steering column universal joint binding
Lower and upper intermediate steering shaft universal joints bound or seized, preventing smooth steering input and causing the upper shaft to separate from the column.
When: Timeline not specified; inspection passed in 2014 but parts now failing per recall attachment
Symptoms owners cite: Unpredictable steering behavior; Upper intermediate shaft beginning to separate; Binding of joints
Repairs/costs cited: Parts are covered under recalls but owner reports Ford refusing to service them
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 13S08/13R01 cover these parts; however, owner alleges Ford is refusing to service despite coverage
Steering wheel seizure during operation
Steering wheel suddenly seized or locked up during normal driving at low speed, preventing the driver from steering.
When: At 20 mph (one report); at 141,000 miles (another)
Symptoms owners cite: Steering ability seized completely; Steering wheel locked during turn attempt; Vehicle continued straight despite turning input
Repairs/costs cited: Driver-side heat shield fractured in one instance; one vehicle towed to dealer but not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall for steering wheel shaft issued and mentioned to owner, but dealer stated recall did not cover steering wheel itself; manufacturer notified but no repair completed
Steering column retaining ring failure
Steering column retaining ring failed, believed to be heat-related. Shaft not traveling on true axis caused retaining ring to wear out.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Catastrophic failure of steering column; Retaining ring worn out
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
Lower intermediate steering shaft and upper intermediate steering shaft universal joints are binding, causing very unpredictable steering and the upper intermediate steering shaft to begin separating from the steering column. This is covered under recalls 13S08/13R01. The vehicle was inspected and passed in 2014 so no parts were replaced, but the parts are now failing inspection per recall…
Sterring began giving a clunking feeling in wheel when driving straight I notice 4 days ago. More noticeable over bumps... I thought it was my tires. I was driving down road and attempt to make a right turn and vehicle keep going straight and steering wheel was not turning also crash into oncoming traffic, vehicle was tow to shop!
Inspection found dislocated bushing. *tr
Inspection found dislocated bushing. *tr
Reference odi numbers 10347404, 10474596, 1047458, 10475030, 1047501; the affected vehicles should include model years 2009 through 2011. The affected vehicle in this notice is a model year 2009. Further research found model year 2005 through 2011 have the same steering column design and affected part numbers. *tr
Catastrophic failure of the steering column; the steering column retaining ring failed. Binding of lower and middle universal joints and believe it is heat related. Steering shaft not traveling on a true axis and a result is the retaining ring is being worn and eventually wears out. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Ford crown victoria. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13v385000 (steering). The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the parts were available; however, they would not honor the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. *bf*jb
Ford had a recall, 13s08, for the steering on these cars. I just purchased this car on 08?06/2019 and immediately checked your site for recalls. There is this recall and it was not completed. New jersey owned this car before me and must not have taken it in. I called Ford and was told they will not take care of the recall. I now do not feel safe driving my car.
The complainant alleges the driver of a my 2009 crown victoria experienced a looseness and noise in the steering column. Upon inspection the lower steering column bearing was found to be partially displaced from the steering column. The complainant notes that there was not a complete loss of the steering. Two of the tabs of the steering column bearing were found broken in the drivers footwell…
Had steering trouble with your 2009 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 2009 Ford Crown Victoria?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 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 103,203 and 167,000 miles, with the median around 132,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 103,203; a quarter make it past 167,000. 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/2009/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.