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Problems · by component

1996 Ford Crown Victoria steering problems

39 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria cite steering, 13% of all 294 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

All 1996 Crown Victoria problems
Complaints
39
13% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“#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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2015Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 10786431
“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. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 17, 2007Steering, Fuel system, gasolineODI 10178967
“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. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2005Steering, Suspension, Engine and engine coolingODI 10138194
“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 . *AK *NLM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2003SteeringODI 10038150
“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. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2000Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Unknown or otherODI 873096
“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. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 25, 2000SteeringODI 732496

Showing 6 of 39 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Steering

Free remedy

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering shafts are sold for use in 1995-2002 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. These steering shafts may separate during operation if the integral fastener is loose or missing and if the interfacing vehicle shaft is compressed in length.

SteeringReported Oct 6, 2015NHTSA 15E082000

Steering: linkages

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Jul 18, 1996NHTSA 96V135000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.