2009 Ford Crown Victoria

Routine

Owners filed 44 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
71,000 milesMedian miles at failure

37 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 30,00040,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering15
100
Fuel System, Gasoline10
000
Power Train4
000
Electrical System3
010
Power Train › Automatic Transmission2
000
Air Bags2
211
Wheels1
000
Suspension1
100
Steering › Column1
000
Seat Belts1
100

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Steering › Rack and Pinion › Pinion Shaft14V704000
Filed Nov 5, 201436,888 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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 the course of safety recall 13V-385. The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.

Risk. Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.

Steering13V385000
Filed Aug 29, 2013355,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate.

Risk. If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

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 occurred as a result of lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed May 13, 2025338,000 milesMO

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the contact became aware that the lower steering column bearing was detaching. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a visual inspection of the vehicle was performed under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V385000 (Steering); however, no repairs were needed at the time. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 338,000.

Steering
Filed Dec 19, 2023FL

Lower intermediate steering shaft and upper intermediate steering shaft universal joints are binding, causing very unpredictable steering and the upper intermediate steering shaft to begin separating from the steering column. This is covered under recalls 13S08/13R01. The vehicle was inspected and passed in 2014 so no parts were replaced, but the parts are now failing inspection per recall attachment sheets. Ford is refusing to service these crucial parts which are COVERED in the above recalls.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 31, 2023164,000 milesOH

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from underneath the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the fuel tank straps had fractured, causing the fuel tank to become detach and drag on the ground. The fuel tank was temporarily reattached, and the vehicle was driven home. The contact later discovered that fuel had leaked from the fuel tank. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 164,000.

Steering
Filed Jan 4, 2021100,000 milesNH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER BERLIN CITY FORD LOCATED AT 485 MAIN ST, GORHAM, NH 03581 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V704000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Steering
Filed Aug 12, 2019PA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V385000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *BF*JB

Steering
Filed Aug 8, 2019167,000 milesPA

FORD HAD A RECALL, 13S08, FOR THE STEERING ON THESE CARS. I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR ON 08?06/2019 AND IMMEDIATELY CHECKED YOUR SITE FOR RECALLS. THERE IS THIS RECALL AND IT WAS NOT COMPLETED. NEW JERSEY OWNED THIS CAR BEFORE ME AND MUST NOT HAVE TAKEN IT IN. I CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD THEY WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF THE RECALL. I NOW DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR.

Power Train
Filed Jul 19, 2019160,000 milesMO

THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT MOVE IN DRIVE. SETS AND IDLES. GIVE IT SOME GAS. WILL NOT MOVE. GOING TO COST $1200 TO REBUILD IT

Steering
Filed Feb 3, 2019150,000 milesME

I HAD JUST GOTTEN HOME FROM WORK. I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE AND WENT TO GO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMED LIKE IT WAS STUCK OR CAUGHT ON SOMETHING SO I TRIED TO TURN IT IT THE OTHER WAY TO SEE IF I COULDN'T GET IT TO LOOSEN UP AND WHEN I HAD TURNED IT TO THE RIGHT AGAIN THE WHOLE STEERING WHEEL SNAPPED. IT DIDN'T TAKE MUCH TO SNAP IT. THE GOOD PART IS I WASN'T ON THE INTERSTATE HOWEVER I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES BEFORE THAT. AND IF THAT HAD HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. HOWEVER RIGHT NOW I WAS ABLE TO HACK THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY I HAD TO TURN THE SHAFT BY HAND. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. AND WOULD LIKE SOMEONE ELSE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS ISSUE FIXED BC PROUTY FORD IN DOVER FOXCROFT SAID THEY WORKED ON THIS AND FIXED THE SHAFT AND IT DIDN'T SEEMED FIXED.

Steering
Filed Nov 2, 2018127,678 milesGA

STERRING BEGAN GIVING A CLUNKING FEELING IN WHEEL WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT I NOTICE 4 DAYS AGO. MORE NOTICEABLE OVER BUMPS... I THOUGHT IT WAS MY TIRES. I WAS DRIVING DOWN ROAD AND ATTEMPT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND VEHICLE KEEP GOING STRAIGHT AND STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT TURNING ALSO CRASH INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, VEHICLE WAS TOW TO SHOP!

Engine
Filed Mar 28, 2018CA

2004 FORD CROWN VIC POLICE INTERCEPTOR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED WITH VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED SHIFTING OUT OF PARK WAS DIFFICULT, THE BRAKES SEEMED SQUISHY, THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD/SPEEDOMETER WERE INOPERABLE, AND THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TURN SIGNALS, TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED THE VEHICLE. *JS

SteeringCrash
Filed Mar 26, 201840,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE SHAFT INSIDE THE STEERING WELL SEPARATED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHING INTO A CURB. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED BUT DRIVABLE. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT AND NO INJURY WAS REPORTED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 40,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 11, 2017112,800 milesPA

LEALKING FUEL FROM THE QUICK DICONNECT ON THE RETURN FULE LINE. THAT IS CAUSING A DRIING BY THE EXHAUST TAIL PIPE AND A GASOLINE SMELL AROUND THE VEHICLE

Electrical System
Filed Apr 3, 2017135,000 milesCO

HELLO, MY BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR STOPPED WORKING,THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT THAT WILL SWITCH THE AIR CONDITIONING TO HEAT AND BACK AGAIN THE PROBLEM IS WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE THE WINDSHIELD WONT DEFROST PROPERLY AND I CANT SEE /OR WARM AND HUMID/RAINING THE CAR WILL FOG UP ON THE INSIDE AND I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT...CHECK YOUTUBE CROWN VICTORIA BLEND DOOR.

Steering
Filed Mar 16, 2017220,000 milesCA

THE VEHICLE STEERING COLUMN INSIDE THE CAR IS MADE OF TWO PIECES OF METAL THAT ATTACHED THE TOP WITH THE BOTTOM BUT IT HAS NO LOCKING TO PREVENT FROM COMING OFF WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING THE VIBRATIONS OF THE ROAD AND SUSPENSION WITH THE TIME CAUSES TO LOOSE AND YOU LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAYS

Steering
Filed Feb 13, 2017141,000 milesDC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE STRAIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING ABILITY SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOUSE AND THEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL FOR THE STEERING WHEEL SHAFT, BUT IT DID NOT COVER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE RECALL DETAILS WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

Electrical System › Horn
Filed Nov 16, 201671,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HORN WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

Steering
Filed Jan 7, 2016170,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE HEAT SHIELD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Sep 16, 201577,400 milesWA

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, LOCKED AND UNATTENDED IN A PARKING LOT. SURVEILLANCE VIDEO SHOWS FLASHES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD FAIRLY CENTRALLY LOCATED WHERE IT HINGES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FLASHES BEGIN SLOW, THEN RESUME MORE INTENSELY BEFORE THE VEHICLE CATCHES FIRE. THE FIRE CONSUMES ALL RUBBER/PLASTICS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CONTINUES TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 4, 2015CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN THE RED LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

SuspensionCrash
Filed May 13, 2014132,000 milesIL

MAR 25TH 2013, MY BROTHER WAS COMING BACK TO HOME, SUDDENLY CAR SPIN/SCATTERED HIT TO TREE AND ELECTRIC POLE, MAR 2014, I RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL # 13S08/NHTSA LETTER FROM FORD COMPANY STEERING COLUMN SHAFT PROBLEM. WE CONTACT TO FORD COMPANY ON MARCH 18,2014 REGARDING THE ABOVE ISSUE. THEY ISSUE US CASE # [XXX]. IN THE MONTH OF APRIL 2014 WE CONTACT THEM AGAIN TO CHECK THE STATUS OF ABOVE CASE, TILL TO DATE WE ARE WAITING FOR THEIR REPLY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20 of 44 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1992
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201123200Routine
201012200Routine
2009 — this page44220Routine
200850331Fatalities reported
200750411Fatalities reported
200653301Fatalities reported
2005193621Fatalities reported
2004138340Routine
2003249740Above average
200258530Routine
200153720Routine
2000851020Routine
1999134841Fatalities reported
19981191060Routine
199728811150Above average
199627612164Fatalities reported
199525012110Above average
19941927142Fatalities reported
19931829114Fatalities reported
19923109243Fatalities reported
199155450Routine
199043370Routine

Compare every Crown Victoria year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Nov 5, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.