2001 Ford Crown Victoria

Defect. 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.

Risk. If the shafts separate during vehicle operation, a loss of steering control would result, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy. Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, option 5.

Defect. CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Risk. FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

Defect. ON CERTAIN NATURAL GAS VEHICLES, IF A FLAME FROM A VEHICLE INTERIOR FIRE BECOMES LOCALLY DIRECTED AT THE NATURAL GAS FUEL TANK LOCATED IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE REAR SEAT, THE FLAME COULD DAMAGE THE FIBERGLASS WRAP ON THE TANK WEAKENING THE TANK.

Risk. IF THE STRENGTH OF THE TANK IS SIGNIFICANTLY COMPROMISED, IT COULD RUPTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN INSULATOR BEHIND THE CURRENT SEAT BACK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Defect. IN ORDER TO ENHANCE POLICE OFFICE SAFETY, MODEL YEAR 1992-2003 CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR (CVPI) VEHICLES WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH SHIELDS DESIGNED TO HELP PROTECT THE FUEL TANK IN HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES. FORD ALSO WILL BE OFFERING AN OPTIONAL TRUNK PACKAGE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE SAFE TRANSPORT OF SHARP-EDGED, HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN THESE VEHICLES.

Risk. SOME HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES HAVE RESULTED IN FUEL TANK PUNCTURES AND FIRES IN CVPI VEHICLES.

Remedy. FORD HAS ADVISED US THAT SHIELD KITS HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE LATE OCTOBER AND WILL BE INSTALLED ON POLICE INTERCEPTOR VEHICLES AT NO COST. THE OPTIONAL TRANK PACKAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF 2002. FORD HAS ESTABLISHED A NEW WEB SITE AT WWW.CVPI.COM TO ANSWER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAFE USE OF CPVI VEHICLES.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND MINIVANS. EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS SUPPLIED BY TRW. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE DRIVER'S AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER'S OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT FULLY LATCH. FORD CROWN VICTORIA BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01. LINCOLN TOWN CARS BUILT AT WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/27/00 - 5/30/01. LINCOLN NAVIGATORS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01. FORD WINDSTARS BUILT AT OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/23/00 - 5/30/01. FORD RANGERS BUILT AT TWIN CITIES PLANT FROM 3/28/00 - 5/30/01, AND ALSO AT THE EDISON PLANT FROM 3/13/00 - 5/25/01. FORD F-150 TRUCK BUILT AT NORFOLK PLANT FROM 4/18/00 - 5/25/00; AT ONTARIO PLANT FROM 5/10/00 - 5/28/01; AT KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 9/11/99 - 5/25/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/9/01. FORD SUPER DUTY F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/27/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/19/01. FORD EXCURSIONS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 10/2/00. FORD EXPEDITIONS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE OCCUPANT PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLES AND IF THE BUCKLE FAILS THE INSPECTION PROCESS, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 25, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES. A RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE (RCM) OR A SIDE OR FRONT CRASH SENSOR MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE SCREWS THAT MOUNT THE CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE HOUSING MISSING. IF SOME OR ALL OF THE SCREWS ARE MISSING, THE PERFORMANCE OF THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINS COULD BE AFFECTED.

Risk. IN SOME CASES, LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RCM AND CRASH SENSORS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM.

Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIMOUSINES, AND MINI VANS WERE BUILT WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE (RCM). IN SOME CASES, THE RCM DOES NOT RECOGNIZE CERTAIN SYSTEM FAULTS THAT COULD RESULT IN AN AIR BAG OR SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER UNEXPECTEDLY ACTIVATING DURING THE SELF-TEST SEQUENCE AT VEHICLE START-UP.

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RCM IN THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 14, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

The vehicle drift back-fourth while driving on highway. Excessive play in steering wheel,

THE STEERING SHAFT IS CREAKING WHEN YOU TURN AND ALOTTA PLAY IN THE STEERING SOUNDS LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO SNAP IT HAPPENS IN THE CITY AND HIGHWAY WHEN I TURN OR BEAR LEFT OR RIGHT THE PIC THE SHAFT THING ON THE LEFT IS A PICTURE OF THE PART HAPPENS WHEN I'M IN MOTION AND EVEN WHEN I'M STATIONARY AND I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL HAS NOT CAUSED A WRECK YET BUT FEELS LIKE IT WOULD IF THAT PART BRAKES.

WHEN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT STOPPED AND THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON HIGH THE TURN SIGNALS PERIODICALLY RAPIDLY FLASH. THE AUDIBLE CLICKING OF THE TURN SIGNALS CLICKS FAST AS WELL. THE BULBS ARE NOT BLOWN. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY OR IT DOES HAPPEN.

THE INTAKE IS PLASTIC HAS AN CRACK AND LEAK ANTIFREEZE

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, I LOST POWER AND HAD TO PULL OVER, UPON CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD, WE CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD (WHICH IS PLASTIC) GOT TO HOT WHICH CAUSED ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK OUT. I ENDED UP HAVING TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE WHICH IS WHERE IT HAS SET SINCE. *TR

THIS HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED: WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT WILL SHUT OFF NUMEROUS TIMES, YOU HAVE TO LET IT SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN START IT BACK UP, THIS WILL HAPPEN NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING IT. ALSO, IF YOU DON'T DRIVE IT FOR 2 DAYS, IT WILL RUN THE BATTERY DEAD. *TR

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT THE CAR ACCELERATED AND I MISSED A PARKED CAR AND WAS ABLE TO STOP. I WAS GOING ABOUT 5MPH AND IT ACCELERATED VERY FAST NOT SURE MPH BUT IT WAS SCARY. I HAPPENED SEPT. 14, 2011. *TR

WHILE DRIVING CAR ON 7-25-2011 STEERING BEGAN TO WONDER, CONTINUOUS BATTLE. 2001 CROWN VIC PT71, HAS ALWAYS DONE THIS SINCE DATE OF. *TR

2001 FORD CROWN VICTORIA ON A STEEP HILL BLEW OUT THE #1 SPARK PLUG FROM IT'S CYLINDER. THE EJECTED SPARK PLUG HAD BEEN INSTALLED MORE THAN A YEAR PRIOR, WITH NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. *TR

AFTER A RAIN MY 2001 FORD CROWN VIC LEAKED THROUGH THE WIPERS INTO THE GEM CAUSING FAILURES OF MOST ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND UNWANTED ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY. *TR

ARE AUTO AIRBAGS WARRENTIED BY THE GOVERNMENT?*TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE VEHICLE HAS CORDOVAN CENTRON TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF HIS TIRES WAS LOW ON AIR PRESSURE. HE NOTICED THAT THE SIDEWALL WAS CRACKED AND THE STEEL CORD WAS VISIBLE. HE RETURNED TO WHERE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED, STRAUSS AUTO. THE MANAGER REFUSED TO INSPECT THE TIRE AND STATED THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER; HOWEVER, THE MANAGER DID NOT WANT TO GIVE HIM THE MANUFACTURER'S NUMBER. THE CONTACT CANNOT LOCATE THE NUMBER TO CALL AND INQUIRE ABOUT THE TIRE. THE SERIAL NUMBER OF THE TIRE IS 1805. THE TIRE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETENTION DEVICE WOULD NOT RELEASE RESULTING IN SQUEEZING OF CHILD WRAPPED UP IN SEAT BELT. THE SEAT BELT HAD TO BE CUT WITH A KNIFE TO GET CHILD OUT OF SEAT BELT. EVEN WITH THE BUCKLE UNLATCHED. NO MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS NECESSARY BUT, CHILD WAS SEVERELY TRAUMATIZED AS THE SEAT BELT WAS SQUEEZING HER SO TIGHT THAT THE ADULTS TRYING TO FREE HER COULD BARELY GET A FINGER BETWEEN HER AND THE SEAT BELT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WORKED FOR A COMPANY THAT HAD SIX CROWN VICTORIAS AND ONE FORD MUSTANG. THE GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE FUEL TANK FROM THE FILLER PIPE. WHEN HE FILLED THE VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE, FUEL WOULD LEAK OUT ON TOP OF THE HOT EXHAUST. THE CONTACT NOTICED A TREND AND THE COMPANY REPLACED THE GASKETS ON SEVEN VEHICLES. HE IS CURRENTLY WAITING FOR THE PART FOR THE SEVENTH VEHICLE, WHICH IS ON BACKORDER AT EVERY DEALER IN ATLANTA. HE HAS NOT CONSULTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,457 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL IN OCTOBER OF 2007 AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THEY DEACTIVATED HIS WIRING HARNESS. HE RECEIVED A NEW NOTICE IN MARCH OF 2008 STATING THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PERSONALLY ORDER THE PARTS IF HE WANTED HIS VEHICLE REPAIRED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,650. UPDATED 4/2/08 *CN UPDATED 04/02/08 *TR

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD CROWN VICTORIA, AND WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AT 5 MPH THE BALL JOINT ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FELL OFF. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 81,000 MILES. *AK

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

2001 CROWN VICTORIA DEFECTIVE LOWER BALL JOINTS, POSSIBLY BECAUSE OF NO GREASE FITTING ON BALL JOINTS TO DO NORMAL MAINTENANCE LUBE. *TS *JB

DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE IT REVVED. WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE IT DID THIS ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE SERVICE DEALER DID SOME REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE, BUT IT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. AT FIRST IT WOULD DO THIS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COLD, BUT THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED AN IAC VALVE. CURRRENTLY IT DOES IT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS HOT OR COLD. *AK

THE STEERING WHEEL WANDERS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP,BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. DRIVER HAD AN ACCIDENT LAST MONTH DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. BUT HE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY, THERE WERE NO PHYSICAL INJURIES NOR FATALITIES TO REPORT. *AK