1996 Ford Crown Victoria Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 37about this part
- Share
- 13%of 276 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 108,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 37 complaints about the steering of the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria, 13% of the 276 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 108,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10138194, filed 2005-09, 159,865 miles“- 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10178967, filed 2007-01, 108,000 miles“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 .”
NHTSA complaint #10038150, filed 2003-10, 55,848 miles“Problem involves NHTSA recalls 98i001000 and 98v322000. Dealer and Ford say my car does not have these problems. I do not want to take the chance of having my steering control fail, or having my brakes fail. Please help. Also, the transmission has an extremely long shift from first to second. Ford has a TSB on this, and states this will not affect the transmission,but it will shorten the life and lead to possbile accumulator bore scuffing. Thanks!”
NHTSA complaint #703492, filed 1999-02“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.”
NHTSA complaint #732496, filed 2000-09Related recalls
- 96V135000Jul 18, 1996The 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.Covers: Ford Crown Victoria 1995–1996, Lincoln Town CAR 1995–1996
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 12 | 52% |
| 2010 | 7 | 58% |
| 2009 | 17 | 39% |
| 2008 | 25 | 50% |
| 2007 | 25 | 50% |
| 2006 | 27 | 51% |
| 2005 | 36 | 19% |
| 2004 | 19 | 14% |
| 2003 | 11 | 4% |
| 2002 | 5 | 9% |
| 2001 | 7 | 13% |
| 2000 | 8 | 9% |
| 1999 | 10 | 7% |
| 1998 | 7 | 6% |
| 1997 | 11 | 4% |
| 1996 | 37 | 13% |
| 1995 | 99 | 40% |
| 1994 | 13 | 7% |
| 1993 | 14 | 8% |
| 1992 | 16 | 5% |
| 1991 | 3 | 5% |
| 1990 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 2 | 3% |
| 1988 | 3 | 7% |
| 1987 | 3 | 7% |
| 1986 | 2 | 7% |
| 1985 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria
81 complaintsSuspension
51 complaintsFuel system
46 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
6 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsTires
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology