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 2008 Ford Crown Victoria owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The contact inspected the steering column underneath the hood and noticed that the steering shaft was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V385000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.
The right front wheel hub broke at the weld when turning in a parking lot. The part is available for inspection. Had this happened at freeway speed, the right front wheel would have departed the vehicle. The safety hazards are obvious. I attempted to contact customer service and they did not reply.There was no warning sign and the part has not been inspected. I am not a welder. It appears this part had a bad weld from the start. I suspect it was welded by a machine and there may be more just like it from the same production run.
Note: this is a police car. Officer was driving approximately 40mph when suddenly, without warning, the steering wheel had a lot of play in it, which became more apparent when the steering wheel did a complete 360 degree turn while the vehicle kept going straight. He was able to turn the wheel hard enough at the last second and landed onto a homeowners driveway. Unit was towed to the fleet department where the unit is based. Officer did not have any warning that this was about to happen, no popping, grinding or hard steering prior to the event. I am the lead fleet technician, ase master and advanced certified & 30 years experience. …
Noticed intermittent stiffness in the steering, an inspection by owner at the steering column determined that the bearing connecting the upper and lowers shafts had extended from its housing. It was determined this failure was consistent with a previous recall 13r01. The vehicle was taken to gillespie Ford in gurnee, il, who stated the recall had been closed out in 2013. They went on to state that the only repair made in 2013 was replacement of the lower, exterior steering shaft, and no retaining clip was installed to prevent separation of the bearing. Gillespie Ford stated there was no corrosion or any other cause of the bearing failure, saying that when the recalls were done they would simply replace the entire steering column and not install the retaining clip. …
Tl* the contact owns 2008 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was a loss of steering control. The contact then unexpectedly crashed into another vehicle. The driver and front seat passenger sustained injuries to the neck, back and body. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent auto center for investigation. Three weeks after the crash, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 13V385000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that the repair for NHTSA campaign number: 14V704000 (steering) was performed, but the failure recurred. The contact heard a loud popping noise while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered that the steering wheel lower shaft separated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 41,567. Updated 02/10/16 updated 05/21/18
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the steering wheel independently turned 180 degrees. The contact regained control of the vehicle, and pulled over and parked the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware of a loosened steering shaft bushing. The vehicle was towed to the residence. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 166,000.
Takata recall for some odd reason any little bump or in level ground I go over , the steering wheel response is horrible. Also my check gas cap light comes on and I changed the fuel pump twice & horrible fumes floats around inside my car cabin.
I was exiting the freeway and turned onto my street when my lower steering shaft collapsed and caused my upper bearing retaining clip to separate from the steering column causing me to lose all steering control.
I purchased this vehicle a week ago and I also downloaded car fax and it states my vehicle was due for a recall in 2014 but the previous owner next got it.
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 2008 Ford Crown Victoria?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria, 50% of the model year's 50 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › knuckle › spindle › arm (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 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 2008 Ford Crown Victoria steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 2 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.