2007 Ford Crown Victoria Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2007 Ford Crown Victoria most often describe steering problems, including a column or shaft that slips, separates or wears, and steering that suddenly loses control or feels stiff. Another large group describes the engine revving or the car accelerating when the brake is pressed, usually at a stop sign, light, or gate. Mileage varies widely across reports, and several steering failures returned after earlier recall work.

1. 1
   Steering

   Steering suddenly loses control or feels hard to turn

   • 15 complaints (30%)
   • median 101,225 mi at 7.3 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2022

   Owners describe the steering wheel turning freely, continuing to turn, or no longer steering the car, sometimes at low speed in turns or while stopping. Power steering that fails during deceleration or at various speeds, leaving the wheel very hard to maneuver, is also described. In a report at 55 mph, steering was lost after a rear tire shredded, and in other reports the car struck a curb or guardrail during the episode. Other owners describe a wheel that vibrates violently above 50 mph, and steering that is stiff or increasingly hard to control. Where mileage is given, reports range from about 6,450 to 200,000 miles, and several happen at low speed, such as in turns or while stopping.

   Recall 13V385000Recall 14V7040002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the steering shaft or column has been replaced under a recall or repair, and whether power steering assist has been tested. Have a technician check steering play, stiffness, and the upper and lower shafts for rust or wear before buying, and test the steering at low speed in a safe place.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On7/30/18 I was exiting a park lot taking a right turn at approximately 5 to 10 MPH as I attempted to steer straight my steering wheel became freewheeling as I was not able to correct its direction , I hit a curb . At this point I felt and heard a loud bang , which turned out to be the airbag deploying . I received several lacerations and contusions almond with a head injury /concussion . After I had vehicle towed to Ford dealer ship did I become aware that there had bad a recall on the steering shaft and bearing failure . …”

   NHTSA complaint #11118667, filed 2018-08, 178,000 miles

   “Steering effort is increasing. The steering column moves and clicks upon acceleration. Steering is increasing getting harder to control. Also have had the roof repainted by Ford while under manufacture warranty due to paint peeling in large sheets of roof, now the front hood has large peeling paint leaving the green coating showing. Ford will not cover now as out of warranty.”

   NHTSA complaint #10509218, filed 2013-04, 48,383 miles
2. 2
   Vehicle speed control

   Engine races or car accelerates when braking

   • 12 complaints (24%)
   • median 71,330 mi at 4.9 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2025

   Owners describe the engine revving or the car accelerating when they press the brake, usually while stopping, and some say the car moved forward while braking. In some reports, tapping the brake did not help, and an owner turned off the ignition to stop the car. A dealer is reported to have concluded that the driver pressed the gas instead of the brake, a finding the owner rejects. A mechanic reported that carbon buildup had failed the throttle body and position sensor. Mileage is stated in only some reports, from about 47,000 to 127,000 miles, and most events happened while stopping at a light, sign, or gate.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the throttle body and position sensor have been cleaned, inspected, or replaced, and whether the seller knows of any sudden-acceleration complaints on the car. In a safe, low-speed test, check that engine speed falls normally when the brake is pressed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This is another of an on going acceleration issue when depressing the foot brake. In this instance I had just backed out of a parking space in a shopping center and drove maybe 200' and had just about rolled to a stop sign for ga highway 212 and very slightly depressed the brake pedal to come to a complete stop. As soon as I started pressing the brake pedal, the engine picked up RPM and I immediately moved foot from brake pedal. End of acceleration. By this time vehicle had already rolled to a complete stop. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10409449, filed 2011-06, 81,243 miles

   “Ford crown vic police interceptor,2007: on two previous occasions, upon depressing brake pedal at stop sign, engine would seem to begin to race; however, after stop I would immediately let off brake to go on through stop sign and engine was normal on acceleration. To-day as I left my parking space I approached an automatic gate to pass through and depressed brake pedal to wait for gate to open and engine began to race to the point that I was unable to hold vehicle back and turned off ignition to avoid hitting gate. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10355856, filed 2010-09, 68,671 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Steering column or shaft slipping or separating

   • 17 complaints (34%)
   • median 99,450 mi at 7.8 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2025

   Owners describe clunking, clicking, or column movement, and some report the upper shaft had nearly separated from the lower shaft or the inner shaft had slipped down. Some owners report rust and wear on the upper and lower shafts, and a lower column bearing that was coming apart. In several reports a dealer or shop located the fault in the upper shaft or column, and some owners paid for a replacement column. Where mileage is given, reports range from about 20,000 to 200,000 miles, and some describe symptoms that grew worse over time.

   Recall 13V385000Recall 14V7040003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the recall work on the upper intermediate steering shaft has been completed and recorded, and whether corrosion of the lower shaft joints was checked. Have a technician check the column for play, clicking, rust, or movement before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The lower steering column bearing is coming apart I’ve called numerous dealers for them to tell me it’s not under recall but it’s a known issue and my car has only 130,000 miles”

   NHTSA complaint #11673927, filed 2025-07

   “Upper and lower steering shaft excessive wear and rust beyond the point that vehicle can not be safely driven. Sticky steering wheel feel all the way from full left to right turn, back and fourth. Was fixed 2 years ago under recall by Ford and the newly replaced part are corrupted over safe use again.”

   NHTSA complaint #11190908, filed 2019-03, 70,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Steering problems returned after recall or inspection

   • 9 complaints (18%)
   • median 138,000 mi at 10.6 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2025

   Owners describe steering problems that came back after recall work or after an inspection that found nothing wrong. An owner says the dealer had not confirmed whether the upper steering shaft needed inspection during the recall repair. Another says the newly installed parts again showed corrosion. Where mileage is given, reports range from about 20,000 to 138,000 miles, and the problems returned after earlier recall work or an inspection.

   Recall 13V385000Recall 14V704000

   What to check: Ask for the full repair record for recalls 13V385000 and 14V704000, including whether the upper shaft was inspected during the recall repair. Have an independent technician recheck the steering, since complaints describe problems returning after earlier recall work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On 3/5/14, owner brought the vehicle, a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria police, to an authorized Ford dealer who completed factory recall 13s08 that called for replacing steering shaft assembly. On 11/30/14, when turning at approximately 10 MPH, the steering became very stiff requiring excessive physical force to turn the wheel. A collision with a pole was barely avoided. Steering has remained stiff and sluggish despite checking power steering levels and tire pressure for proper inflation. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10661388, filed 2014-12, 138,000 miles

   “Sterring began giving a clunking feeling in wheel when driving straight. More noticeable over bumps. Shop began inspection and found upper intermediate shaft had nearly separated from lower shaft. If shaft had indeed seperated, car would have been uncontrollable. Ford has open recall on the issue, vehicle was inspected for this issue about 2 years ago and said to have no issue at time, but the issue mentioned in the recall has infact occurred. Had to pay to find replacement steering column.”

   NHTSA complaint #10990502, filed 2017-05, 20,000 miles

Buying note. Before buying a 2007 Crown Victoria, ask for the full repair record for steering recalls 13V385000 and 14V704000, and have the steering column and shafts inspected by an independent technician. Owners also describe the engine revving or the car accelerating when braking at low speed, so check throttle and brake response during a test drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 39 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.