Of the 12 steering complaints filed for the 2011 Ford Crown Victoria,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
2 (28.6%)
25-50k
1 (14.3%)
50-75k
1 (14.3%)
75-100k
1 (14.3%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
2 (28.6%)
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
All 2 active steering recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermediate shaft was serviced during the course of safety recall 13V-385
Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.
Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles
If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have occurred as a result of lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.
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.
Service Bulletin16-0072Apr 2016
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
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
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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2011 Ford Crown Victorias report persistent steering problems centered on the lower steering shaft and column bushing. The most common complaint is stiff, difficult steering both when parked and while driving. Several owners describe clunking noises from the steering column, front-end vibration at highway speeds above 60 mph, and the steering wheel refusing to lock after parking.
At 82,000 miles, one owner had a mechanic diagnose a faulty lower steering shaft bearing. Another at 160,000 miles reported clicking and popping sounds from the steering wheel with difficult maneuverability. Inspection findings on two vehicles revealed the lower column bushing dislodged from its tube with the shaft working out of spline—a mechanical disconnect that compromises steering control.
Multiple owners mention rust on the lower intermediate steering shaft and U-joints, contributing to steering resistance and safety concerns. The pattern most troubling to owners is that many of these vehicles fall outside Ford's recall campaigns (13V385000 and 14V704000), despite showing identical failures to recalled models. One owner reports stiff steering recurred after a prior recall service, suggesting the original repair may not have fully resolved the issue.
Same Ford Crown Victoria steering reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Lower steering shaft bearing and bushing failure
Lower steering shaft bearing becomes faulty or lower column bushing dislodges from tube with shaft working out of spline, causing steering stiffness, vibration, and clunking.
When: 82,000 miles; also observed at various mileages in other complaints
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel difficult to maneuver; Stiff steering when parked and while driving; Front-end vibration at speeds above 60 mph; Clunking noise from steering column; Steering column will not lock after parking
Repairs/costs cited: Lower steering shaft bearing replacement or intermediate steering shaft replacement required; repair not completed in reported cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle VINs not included in NHTSA Campaign 13V385000 or 14V704000 (Steering); some owners report prior recall service on same vehicle
Steering wheel clicking and popping
Steering wheel produces abnormal clicking and popping sounds during operation, accompanied by difficult steering maneuverability.
When: 160,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel clicking sound; Abnormal popping sound from steering; Difficult steering wheel maneuverability; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Intermediate steering shaft replacement needed; not completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VIN not included in NHTSA Campaign 14V704000 or 13V385000
Steering shaft rust and corrosion
Lower intermediate steering shaft and U-joints exhibit rust accumulation, reducing smooth operation and creating safety concerns.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Rust on lower intermediate steering shaft; Rust at U-joints of shaft; Hard to turn steering wheel
Repairs/costs cited: Owner requested recall expansion; no repair completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VIN not eligible for existing recall; owner requested recall expansion
Steering column shaft recall repeat failure
Steering issues recur after prior recall service on same vehicle, suggesting inadequate original repair or new failure in repaired component.
Vehicle pulling to one side with steering complaints
Vehicle consistently pulls to the right with stiff steering, limiting drivability.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Car pulling to the right; Stiff steering
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting
10 most recent
steering · 25,200 mi
· filed 10/01/2012
Inspection found dislocated bushing. *tr
steering · 14,222 mi
· filed 10/01/2012
Inspection found dislocated bushing. *tr
steering · 54,000 mi
· filed 09/21/2012
Inspection found lower bushing of steering column dislodged and shaft working out of spline. *tr
steering · 77,000 mi
· filed 09/21/2012
Inspection found the lower column bushing dislodged from tube and shaft working out of spline. *tr
steering · 160,000 mi
· filed 08/06/2021
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the steering wheel started clicking and making an abnormal popping sound. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated he was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the…
steering · 20,000 mi
· filed 06/27/2013
Steering this car was a nightmare always pulling to the right. Also brakes constantly grabbing and screeching. Also headlight and suspension problems. Was not happy with this car from start but was slammed into by dealership and chase... I am a senior citizen 76 years old. Please help. *tr
steering · 207,000 mi
· filed 05/20/2019
There is a recall on my car,the rite front wheel is making poping sounds.
steering
· filed 04/30/2020
My steering I super had to turn the wheel when parked as well as driving. It is because of the steering shaft is rusted out and very dangerous to drive .I just found out that Ford had a recall on this issue but I never received a notice about it
steering
· filed 04/28/2023
Vehicle is exhibiting stiff steering issues associated with steering column. Mechanic determined steering shaft requires replacement. This vehicle was already involved in a steering column recall several years ago however the problem appears to have returned.
steering
· filed 04/28/2023
I learned of recall on some models of crown victoria police interceptor. I own 3 such vehicles. Two were identified for recall, the third a 2011 however was not. This car has signs of steering issues very hard to turn the wheel at times. There is rust on the lower intermediate steering shaft and at the u joints of the shaft. When I took the other vehicles in for recall servicing I provided…
Had steering trouble with your 2011 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 2011 Ford Crown Victoria?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 25,200 and 160,000 miles, with the median around 77,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 25,200; a quarter make it past 160,000. 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?
Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover steering issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
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/2011/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.