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1.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
135,480 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Ford Crown Victoria steering problems

steering problem

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2003 Ford Crown Victoria Owner Comments

problem #10

Dec 282020

Crown Victoria

  • 142,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2003 crown vic has a horrible time steering I've watched several videos that depicts exactly the same issue. You however do have a recall out for this make just starting at 2005. I find it hard to believe that I am the only one that's made a complaint. Pls get this fixed im 67 and with cancer my only way of getting around. Please contact me asap this is serious. Of course it on molly does this when in motion.

- Des Plaines, IL, USA

problem #9

Jul 092019

Crown Victoria

  • 123,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to steer. The contact decided to place oil on the steering shaft and steering wheel. After a couple of months, the steering seized without warning. The contact was an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering shaft bearing failed and there was heavy corrosion on the shaft. The failure recurred. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

- Lexington, MA, USA

problem #8

Oct 042018

Crown Victoria

  • 99,000 miles
Driving steadily at around 30 mph on a city street. Suddenly the steering starting binding making it difficult to turn. Upon examination there was a lot of rust on the lower intermediate steering shaft and needed an immediate replacement. The mechanic noted severe corrosion and noted it could have fully broken without a lot of warning. Some research revealed that a recall was done for model years 2005-11 (13V385000). You may want to extend this to 2003-2004 which use the same steering components.

- Bedford, MA, USA

problem #7

Sep 012017

Crown Victoria

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. While driving unknown speeds, the steering wheel failed to turn right without warning. The vehicle was taken to hall Ford elizabeth city (1310 N road St, elizabeth city, nc 27909) where it was diagnosed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Elizabeth City, NC, USA

problem #6

Dec 072017

Crown Victoria

  • 192,799 miles
My vehicle's lower steering shaft became so corroded to the point I was unable to steer the vehicle safely. I did some research online and found that Ford actually recalled 2005-2011 Crown Victoria (NHTSA campaign number: 13V385000) for that same exact problem. I am reside in one the affected states under the recall however Ford refuses to honor the recall stating that my vehicle VIN is not affected and my vehicle is a 2003. I don't think it's a coincidence my vehicle just happens to have the same problem. I would like to include and excerpt from the recall "the recall is expected to begin October 21, 2013. Ford's recall number is 13S08. Customers located in non-corrosion states who have concerns regarding their steering will have a one-time option to have their vehicles inspected and, if necessary, repaired." I repaired my vehicle out of pocket at my expense, however Ford refuses to reimburse me.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #5

Aug 052014

Crown Victoria

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that when attempting to turn the steering wheel, the steering shaft became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Plymouth , MI, USA

problem #4

Sep 112013

Crown Victoria

  • 139,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that upon inspection, it was found that the steering shaft was corroded. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,000.

- North Valley, NY, USA

problem #3

Jun 152013

Crown Victoria 8-cyl

  • 173,000 miles
Steering the vehicle became hard when making turns, as if the power steering was not operating. After making turns, the wheels did not straighten by themselves, and turning them back had to be done manually, as if no power steering was installed on the vehicle and it was standing still. I see that the recent recall is only for 2005-2001 Crown victorias (and similar panther platform vehicles), but this failure also occurred my 2003. A view under the hood showed that the steering column universal joints, located in 2 places on the shaft, were rusted and dry. After first applying silicone spray to loosen them up (which relieved the appearance of power steering failure), I applied very generous amounts of lithium grease to both joint locations. The problem has been corrected, but possibly only temporarily if the shaft actually needs to be replaced like on the 2005-2011 vehicles. I report this to show that the problem may be larger than only within the selected range of vehicles.

- Gillette, NJ, USA

problem #2

Aug 112013

Crown Victoria 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated that the steering shaft was corroded and would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.

- North Tonawanda, NY, USA

problem #1

Jul 252013

Crown Victoria 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 189,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated that the steering shaft would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 189,000.

- Oak Ridge , NJ, USA

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