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 2005 Ford Crown Victoria owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On 10/06/2015 the vehicle in question was travelling at 65-70mph in the left hand lane of a highway going straight ahead when operator lost complete steering due to the steering shaft becoming disconnected from the steering column resulting in single vehicle crash. The vehicle had a recall completed on 10/10/14 -13s08.
I received a recall notice in February 2015 and brought my car to a dealership for repairs on March 18, 2015. The service manager of that branch informed me that there is a problem with the upper steering column bearings that aren't covered by the recall. He said he spoke to the recall center and the reason they gave was because this recall was issued in 2013 and I didn't respond in time. I did not receive a letter and if I did, I certainly would've responded in a timely way. Then I spoke to the recall center and argued that this upper column problem is a direct result of the lower column shaft; to which I was told that typically Ford only covers what's explicitly detailed in the recall notice. Also, I was told, the reason for my issues with the letter May be because the nj mvc has been slow in disseminating driver information to car companies. …
Today I was driving my 2005 Ford Crown Victoria on a city street. I made a left hand 90 degree turn at a relatively slow speed. Upon turning the wheel back, the steering locked. To avoid hitting a parked car to the left, I forced the steering over forcefully. It felt as if the steering shaft was blocked by something. I pulled the car immediately over to a parking spot on my right. In the process of turning the wheel, the steering was suddenly normal, then very difficult, normal, then difficult, as if it were being intermittently hit. I opened the hood and found the left header heat shield, opposite of the steering shaft, separated from its normal position and was lodged between the steering shaft and the header. The heat shield was heavily corroded. I took a photo of it in its lodged position. I then removed the heat shield and attempted to move the steering wheel. …
Despite having subject vehicle serviced by a dealership under recall 13V385, the lower intermediate shaft developed a corrosion defect after four years wherein it became difficult to steer the vehicle at lower speeds and a loud clunking noise was audible from within the cabin every time the top of the steering wheel passed the 6 o'clock position. Owner investigated: upper universal joint at the bottom of the lower intermediate shaft was beginning to separate, shifting out of place approximately 3/16ths of an inch when steering wheel was in the 6 o'clock position before slamming back into place causing a loud 'click' which reverberated into the cabin through the steering column and sounding much worse. Vehicle was taken to recall servicing dealership; recall 13V385 was only warrantied for 3 months or 5000 kilometres (3125 miles). …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while making a right turn at approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the upper intermittent shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA campaign numbers: 13V385000 (steering) and 14V704000 (steering). The manufacturer was made notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria. While driving at 40 MPH, the steering wheel became loose. As a result, the contact had to shut off and restart the vehicle in order to temporarily correct the failure. The failure recurred on multiple occasions and no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria. While driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel became inoperable and the vehicle lost steering ability. The dealer diagnosed that the vehicle needed to be repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V704000 (steering). The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
When your on the highway sometimes it feels like the steering wheel floats away and like you already have lost steering controls but they come back. I have a sheet from when I got the recall for the headlights, that said 13r01 for the steering column shaft. I haven't gotten that fixed or remedied so I'm confused as to why it says the work order isn't outstanding.
Power steering went out when I was driving and barely avoided a collision. Light went out another time when I was driving.
Steering wheel disengaged while driving. Wheel rotated more than 360 degrees and had no effect on the car direction. Almost injured pedestrian (police officer) but was making a turn from a complete stop so was able to stop car since was only going slow. I was coming back from a two hour trip from cape cod and if this would have happened on the highway who knows what could have happened. Ford service manager said that the shaft fell out of the steering column and this should not happen unless car was in a collision. Which it wasn't. My personal mechanic who has more than 50 years of experience repairing fords also had never seen this happen before. Ford did not grant me any dispensation and I paid for the repair ($1381.75). When I called Ford they said there was nothing they could do and could not give me the name of anyone in the company that I could speak with further about this. …
Related recalls
Steering › Rack and pinion › Pinion shaft
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…
Remedy: 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.
Steering
Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky,…
Remedy: 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…
NHTSA investigations
Loss of Steering Control
In the subject vehicles, the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and rack and pinion steering assembly consist of the steering column and an upper and lower intermediate shaft.A disconnection of any of these components from the steering system can create a loss of steering control.Allegations of a loss of steering control incidents reviewed during the Preliminary Evaluation PE12-025 appear to be related…
Loss of Steering Control
In its recall notice dated August 26, 2013, Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified NHTSA of a safety defect condition that may result in loss of steering in approximately 355,000 model year (MY) 2005 through 2011 Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles built at the St.
Steering complaints in other Crown Victoria years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria, 19% of the model year's 193 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford Crown Victoria steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-704 (pinion shaft, Nov 5, 2014); NHTSA recall 13V-385 (steering, Aug 29, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Ford Crown Victoria steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 101,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 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.