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 2006 Ford Crown Victoria owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle was sluggish. The contact applied more pressure to the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle unintendedly shifted into drive (D), accelerated, and struck the rear of a parked, unoccupied vehicle while blocking oncoming traffic. The contact stated that upon shifting into reverse (R) a second time and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle reversed, but the failure recurred, and the vehicle struck the rear of the unoccupied vehicle, pushing it into another parked and unoccupied vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. No injuries were reported. No Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then driven to AAMCO Transmissions, where the failure was confirmed, but the cause of the failure was not determined upon inspection. …
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, there were banging, clunking and abnormal sounds coming from the steering wheel. The contact veered to the side of the road. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the steering shaft was loosened and there was significant play under the driver's side dash between the firewall. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the upper and lower steering shaft were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact was able to pull into his parent's driveway. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the steering column bushing had separated and there was significant play in the steering wheel. The contact stated that the steering wheel fractured and became completely loosened. …
In 2006 my husband was a deputy sheriff I'm mt.he was driving a 2006 Crown Victoria with approx 3000 miles. He was heading to an assistance call on the interstate at a high rate of speed. Road conditions were good that day and no abnormalities in the road. I hired a private investigator to investigate some issues. I was informed that the air bags never deployed he was in a head on collision through a fence and then wrapped around a metal sign pole. Cause severe damage to this vehicle. All windows busted out radiator came through the front of the vehicle. Tires were not noted to be defected but I due question a tie rod. And at the time the investigator did run a recall check and nothing noted at that time. His report did state there was deformity noted in the stering colum. In which I have now noticed that there has been some issues with the steering colum. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. While driving 55 MPH, the steering caused the vehicle to spin clockwise out of control and crashed into a median on the left side of the road. The contact struck another vehicle while spinning. The front passenger side of the vehicle struck the rear passengers door of an oncoming vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was driven from the scene to park ridge auto body of park ridge, illinois and repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the crash and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty, and was not caused by the repair work performed per NHTSA campaign number: 13V385000 (steering)on January 10, 2014. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that the steering ceased while the vehicle was stopped, without warning. The contact reached out to chuck renze Ford located at 751 e lake shore dr, manistique, mi 49854 regarding NHTSA campaign number: 13V385000 (steering). The VIN was included however, the contact was informed that due to the age of the vehicle, the manufacturer had declined to honor the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,361.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria,.while driving various speeds the steering wheel became stiff. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to prescott brothers Ford Lincoln of princeton, inc. (1502 w peru st, princeton, il 61356) where it was diagnosed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The contact stated that the failure was similar to NHTSA campaign number: 13V385000 (steering). The failure mileage was 156,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. While driving 25 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel seized and was difficult to turn. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the steering column was rusted. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 92,000.
Steering went out of vehicle. Had bad column replaced, and got vehicle back on aug 29, 2013. Again steering column failed and went back out on aug 30 , 2013. Vehicle was moving approximately 25 MPH. Fortunately we were to stop the vehicle but ran into hillside, and luckily no one was hurt. The column was replaced again and additionally this time the lower shaft was replaced.
I was driving approax 25 MPH when my steering wheel all of a sudden became free and my wheel just spun freely not moving my wheels, upon inspection I found that the bushing dislocated which caused me to loose control of my steering.
I had this vehicle in for the recall in 2014 and according to the dealer repair the steering column was within limits not to complete the second half of recall 13s08 but a few weeks ago my steering shaft separated with no warning and I came to a rest in an intersection. I had the vehicle towed to a local repair shop and they confirmed the separation of steering. I did not put a claim into insurance and no damage was done to any other vehicle so the police were not called. There were no warning lights illuminated until after the failure. Thankfully I was not on the highway. I contacted Ford motor company and they were no help as well as the dealer who did the recall in 2014. They said that the recall was done within the perimeters of the process and that they couldn't help me. I now have spent over $1500 on repairs and still is not correct and I am worried about it happening again. …
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 2006 Ford Crown Victoria?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Ford Crown Victoria, 51% of the model year's 53 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 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 2006 Ford Crown Victoria steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 111,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries and 1 death 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.