NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
18 reportsClear category filter136,000 miles · Dec 7, 2023
Steering
The contact owns a 2007 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the steering shaft. The vehi…
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The contact owns a 2007 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the steering shaft. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V704000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 136,000.
NHTSA ODI #11558939
Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2023
Steering
The contact's mother-in-law owns a 2007 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that while her mother-in-law was driving in a parking lot, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed without warning. Upon restarting the vehicle, the power steering started to operate as needed; however, the failure soon returned. Despite t…
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The contact's mother-in-law owns a 2007 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that while her mother-in-law was driving in a parking lot, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed without warning. Upon restarting the vehicle, the power steering started to operate as needed; however, the failure soon returned. Despite the failure, her mother-in-law managed to drive the vehicle home. The dealer was notified of the failure and found no record of any recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V704000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA ODI #11507045
165,000 miles · Apr 29, 2021
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. UPON …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V704000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED IN 2015. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 165,000.
NHTSA ODI #11414438
100,000 miles · Oct 22, 2020
Steering
I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF STEERING OF MY LINCOLN WHILE DRIVING ( NO STEERING WHATSOEVER) AND FORTUNATELY THE DIRECTION OF THE CAR WAS HEADING TOWARD THE SHOULDER OF THE TURNPIKE. AND I GOT OFF THE ROAD ONTO SHOULDER. SCARY!! THIS CAR WAS RECALLED TWICE FOR THE STEERING SHAFT AND WAS TO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. OR WAS IT!?? THIS CO…
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I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF STEERING OF MY LINCOLN WHILE DRIVING ( NO STEERING WHATSOEVER) AND FORTUNATELY THE DIRECTION OF THE CAR WAS HEADING TOWARD THE SHOULDER OF THE TURNPIKE. AND I GOT OFF THE ROAD ONTO SHOULDER. SCARY!! THIS CAR WAS RECALLED TWICE FOR THE STEERING SHAFT AND WAS TO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. OR WAS IT!?? THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ACCIDENT, WITH LOSS OF STEERING!! FORD NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND THIS INCIDENT AND COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS!! HOW MANY OTHERS WITH LINCOLN TOWNCARS HAVE CRASHED WITH LOSS OF STEERING AND NEVER LIVED TO TELL THEIR STORY!!
NHTSA ODI #11365726
475,000 miles · Aug 14, 2018
Steering
I AM AWARE OF THE CURRENT RECALL REGARDING CROWN VICTORIA, GRAND MARQUIS, AND LINCOLN TOWNCAR USING THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CORROSION AS THE ISSUE. I AM NOT CONVINCED THAT THIS IS THE PRIMARY REASON FOR POSSIBLE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. I LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING IN MY TOWNCAR A FEW WEEKS AGO AND HAD IT TOWED TO A DEAL…
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I AM AWARE OF THE CURRENT RECALL REGARDING CROWN VICTORIA, GRAND MARQUIS, AND LINCOLN TOWNCAR USING THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CORROSION AS THE ISSUE. I AM NOT CONVINCED THAT THIS IS THE PRIMARY REASON FOR POSSIBLE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. I LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING IN MY TOWNCAR A FEW WEEKS AGO AND HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALER IN NEW CASTLE DELAWARE. THE SERVICE WRITER OFFERED NO EXPLANATION OTHER THAN THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT HAD BROKEN. AFTER A PERSONAL CLOSER INSPECTION I DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT WAS PULLED APART AS A RESULT EXCESSIVE TRAVEL OF THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. THE REASONING OFFERED BY FORD BLAMES ONLY THE ISSUE OF CORROSION THUS MINIMIZING THE PARTS FOR POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT. FORTUNATELY, WHEN I EXPERIENCED THE LOSS OF STEERING IN MY CAR I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT LOW SPEED. HAD I BEEN OUT ON THE HIGHWAY THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE.
NHTSA ODI #11119921
370,000 miles · Mar 8, 2017
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH, THEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT CRASH INTO ANYTHING HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH, THEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT CRASH INTO ANYTHING HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LOWER BEARING DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE STEERING FAILURE HOWEVER IT DID NOT INCLUDE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 370,000.
NHTSA ODI #10959498
81,000 miles · Oct 3, 2016
Air BagsSteeringCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, A SNAP SOUND WAS HEARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL FRACTURED. THE STEERING WHEEL MOVED IN CIRCLES AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CRASHE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, A SNAP SOUND WAS HEARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL FRACTURED. THE STEERING WHEEL MOVED IN CIRCLES AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. ..UPDATED 11/17/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HER HUSBAND FIXED THE STEERING PROBLEM ON HIS OWN AND AT HIS EXPENSE. UPDATED 12/15/16.8JB
NHTSA ODI #10911127
231,000 miles · Jun 28, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 231,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
NHTSA ODI #10881270
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING SHAFT AND STEERING KNUCKLES FRACTURED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL CONNECTION. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY LOOSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO CAUTIOUSLY MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL DUE TO THE SUDDEN FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING SHAFT AND STEERING KNUCKLES FRACTURED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL CONNECTION. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY LOOSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO CAUTIOUSLY MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL DUE TO THE SUDDEN FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V704000 (STEERING) AND 13V385000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10823694
286,000 miles · Oct 26, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IT WAS UNKNOWN WHO PERFORMED THE REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IT WAS UNKNOWN WHO PERFORMED THE REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 286,000.
NHTSA ODI #10785982
Official recalls
3Nov 5, 2014
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Aug 29, 2013
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Jun 26, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY MAY FRACTURE DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A HUB FRACTURES, IT MAY POTENTIALLY DETACH FROM THE WHEEL KNUCKLE, RESULTING IN THE WHEEL BEING RETAINED ONLY BY THE BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT, THE WHEEL MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE THEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 22, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking
Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO