1997 Ford Crown Victoria Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 4%of 288 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,900miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria, 4% of the 288 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,900 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving east on allen street in springfield massachusetts steering control locked up resulting in a crash with a gas station pump police crash report id 15-3725-AC car was totalled out when it caught fire no noise was heard seconds before crash. I have noticed that there was a recall on the replacement parts but wonder if the oem parts could fail resulting in crash.”
NHTSA complaint #10795065, filed 2015-11, 42,000 miles“The three bolts holding the steering gear box to the frame failed due to corrosion allowing the unit to become separated from the frame leading to a loss of steering control.”
NHTSA complaint #10595037, filed 2014-05, 260,000 miles“The following is a well known and well documented design Crown Victoria 4.6 engine failure, which Ford has ignored and claimed it is investigating for the ordinary consumer, while providing extended warranties for police cars and taxis. Obviously, they don't want to lose this fleet market. There have even been news stories on this via nbc. The failure relates to a plastic intake manifold cracking prematurely, causing complete loss of coolant fluids, extreme consequent engine overheating, and resultant catastrophic engine failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #10114787, filed 2005-03, 55,900 miles“All items listed are design flaws and could cause serious if not fatal injuries to occur..turn signals will not stay on if they will hold on at all. Twice repaired..steering wheel and column jump and vibrate on bump impact at mid to highway speeds.car swerves. Have not yet lost control!! Rear shocks cannot stabilise rear end..windshield has ripple distortion. Has caused vision problems. Both front doors will not stay open..both my wife and I have been injured by these doors..service dept claims doors are within tolerences..not mine!! Hope ypu can assist me. Thanks,,paul silberman.”
NHTSA complaint #726911, filed 2000-08“Consumer states that the steering wheel is overly sensitive in normal driving condition, may cause an accident, since it has so much power assit it makes changing lanes or other steering condition hazardous. Nlm the vehicle has a steering box ratio of 14 to 1 which was much faster than the desired ratio of 17 to 1 or 18 to 1.”
NHTSA complaint #8019760, filed 2002-09Steering: 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 1997 Ford Crown Victoria
84 complaintsBrakes
57 complaintsSuspension
45 complaintsFuel system
29 complaintsVehicle speed control
23 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 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