Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Ford Crown Victoria owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Officer was traveling northbound on summit ave e at approximately 30-35mph. At the intersection of summit and e. Harrison st, the officer slowed to clear the intersection and to negotiate her patrol vehicle around a traffic circle. The officer negotiated her vehicle around the circle. North of the intersection, the officer attempted to brake but the brakes did not respond - ABS light was on and the ABS mode did not function. The officer then attempted to straighten the vehicle but found that the steering had failed as well. The vehicle fishtailed. The officer's vehicle was now heading west towards a legally parked vehcile on the west side of summit ave. E. The officer attempted to steer to the right to straighten out the vehicles movement. The officer found that the steering wheel would not turn like it had been locked. The vehicle had total steering failure. …
Officer was traveling northbound on summit ave e at approximately 30-35mph. At the intersection of summit and e. Harrison st, the officer slowed to clear the intersection and to negotiate her patrol vehicle around a traffic circle. The officer negotiated her vehicle around the circle. North of the intersection, the officer attempted to brake, but the brakes did not respond - ABS light was on and the ABS mode did not function. The officer then attempted to straighten the vehicle, but found that the steering had failed as well. The vehicle fishtailed. The officer's vehicle was now heading west towards a legally parked vehicle on the west side of summit ave. E. The officer attempted to steer to the right to straighten out the vehicles movement. The officer found that the steering wheel would not turn like it had been locked. The vehicle had total steering failure. …
#1 - I constantly have my engine light on and during 2 inspections I received a safety/emissions recall printout, defect # dr-1209 for mass air flow sensors. Both times I have taken it to the local dealer and they claimed there's no recall for it. I just noticed on the NHTSA site, that recalls only go back as far as 1999. They also said that since it's no longer a "police owned" vehicle, they wouldn't fix it. # 2 - I have been getting a constant severe fuel smell that permeates through the car which is exacerbated with warm weather and or when the car warms up. #3 - there's a constant issue of the car vibrating when being driven at 55 - 60 MPH.
Tl* - the contact has a 1996 Ford Crown Victoria police interceptor with 108000 miles and the protective shield that covers the fuel tank has not been installed. The contact found that there was a recall (02i003000): and (96V135000) for steering:linkages that had not been fixed on his vehicle. When he took the vehicle to the dealer they told him that his vehicle did not fall under the recall. The contact has not experienced any problems with his vehicle in regards to the recall to date.
While making a left turn at a traffic light steering wheel locked up, causing driver to lose control. The driver managed to stop the vehicle and had it towed to the dealer. It was determined that the pitman arm broke at the steering linkage. Consumer .
I recently got the vehicle and its already giving me problems. The car drifts to the side and the motor is giving me problems the car has not even reached 1500 miles since I got it and its already causing me problems.
Problem involves NHTSA recalls 98i001000 and 98V322000. Dealer and Ford say my car does not have these problems. I do not want to take the chance of having my steering control fail, or having my brakes fail. Please help. Also, the transmission has an extremely long shift from first to second. Ford has a TSB on this, and states this will not affect the transmission,but it will shorten the life and lead to possbile accumulator bore scuffing. Thanks!
The ignition switch will release the ignition key before it is in the proper off position. At times there is a warning sound and other times there is none. With the ignition key removed before the off position it will allow the car to be started without a key. This presents two risks: one - the car can be stolen, second a child could accidentally start the car and put the car in gear.
Whenever the vehicle is in low idle engine would stall. Problem is intermittent & would have no warning. Been to dealership 3 different times & mechanic can not locate cause of problem. Had air flow sensor replaced due to check engine light coming on.
The steering column has deteriorated while making a turn.the wheel does not return, and it started locking up, making it difficult for the consumer to straighten the wheel. This is a police vehicle. Dealer has been contacted.
Related recalls
Steering › Linkages
The pitman arms were not fully lubricated at the assembly plant. The "ball joint" at the outer end of the pitman arm can become contaminated and corrode.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and if the joint is found to have significant wear, the arm will be replaced. Those pitman arms not replaced will have the "ball joint" fully greased.
NHTSA investigations
Ball joint failure
There is no summary currently available
Steering complaints in other Crown Victoria years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the steering of the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria, 13% of the model year's 276 complaints. The component named most often is steering wheel/handle bar (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Ford Crown Victoria steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 96V-135 (linkages, Jul 18, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Ford Crown Victoria steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 108,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.