1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA Steering Problems

#1 - I CONSTANTLY HAVE MY ENGINE LIGHT ON AND DURING 2 INSPECTIONS I RECEIVED A SAFETY/EMISSIONS RECALL PRINTOUT, DEFECT # DR-1209 FOR MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS. BOTH TIMES I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY CLAIMED THERE'S NO RECALL FOR IT. I JUST NOTICED ON THE NHTSA SITE, THAT RECALLS ONLY GO BACK AS FAR AS 1999. THEY ALSO SAID THAT SINCE IT'S NO LONGER A "POLICE OWNED" VEHICLE, THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT. # 2 - I HAVE BEEN GETTING A CONSTANT SEVERE FUEL SMELL THAT PERMEATES THROUGH THE CAR WHICH IS EXACERBATED WITH WARM WEATHER AND OR WHEN THE CAR WARMS UP. #3 - THERE'S A CONSTANT ISSUE OF THE CAR VIBRATING WHEN BEING DRIVEN AT 55 - 60 MPH.

TL* - 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. *JB

Mileage: 108,000

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. *JB

Mileage: 159,865

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 . *AK *NLM

Mileage: 55,848

FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS HAVE FAILED (TIE RODS, CONTROL ARMS). *MJS

WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS IN LOW IDLE ENGINE WOULD STALL. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT & WOULD HAVE NO WARNING. BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 3 DIFFERENT TIMES & MECHANIC CAN NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. HAD AIR FLOW SENSOR REPLACED DUE TO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. *AK

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. *AK

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. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, MAKING A TURN ON A SMOOTH CURVE, VEHICLE JUST STRAIGHTENED OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. PITMAN ARM AND CONTROL ARM WERE RELACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

OFFICER WAS TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON SUMMIT AVE E AT APPROXIMATELY 30-35MPH. AT THE INTERSECTION OF SUMMIT AND E. HARRISON ST, THE OFFICER SLOWED TO CLEAR THE INTERSECTION AND TO NEGOTIATE HER PATROL VEHICLE AROUND A TRAFFIC CIRCLE. THE OFFICER NEGOTIATED HER VEHICLE AROUND THE CIRCLE. NORTH OF THE INTERSECTION, THE OFFICER ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND - ABS LIGHT WAS ON AND THE ABS MODE DID NOT FUNCTION. THE OFFICER THEN ATTEMPTED TO STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE, BUT FOUND THAT THE STEERING HAD FAILED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE FISHTAILED. THE OFFICER'S VEHICLE WAS NOW HEADING WEST TOWARDS A LEGALLY PARKED VEHICLE ON THE WEST SIDE OF SUMMIT AVE. E. THE OFFICER ATTEMPTED TO STEER TO THE RIGHT TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE VEHICLES MOVEMENT. THE OFFICER FOUND THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN LIKE IT HAD BEEN LOCKED. THE VEHICLE HAD TOTAL STEERING FAILURE. THE OFFICER WAS HEADED STRAIGHT TOWARDS THE PARKED VEHICLE, JERKED THE STEERING WHEEL AS HARD AS SHE COULD TO THE RIGHT. HER VEHICLE RESPONDED BUT ENDED UP HITTING TWO PARKED VEHICLES ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE STREET. THESE VEHICLES WERE PUSHED INTO TWO ADDITIONAL VEHICLES AND A MOTORCYLE. THE OFFICE WAS TREATED FOR NECK AND BACK INJURIES. *AK

OFFICER WAS TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON SUMMIT AVE E AT APPROXIMATELY 30-35MPH. AT THE INTERSECTION OF SUMMIT AND E. HARRISON ST, THE OFFICER SLOWED TO CLEAR THE INTERSECTION AND TO NEGOTIATE HER PATROL VEHICLE AROUND A TRAFFIC CIRCLE. THE OFFICER NEGOTIATED HER VEHICLE AROUND THE CIRCLE. NORTH OF THE INTERSECTION, THE OFFICER ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND - ABS LIGHT WAS ON AND THE ABS MODE DID NOT FUNCTION. THE OFFICER THEN ATTEMPTED TO STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE BUT FOUND THAT THE STEERING HAD FAILED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE FISHTAILED. THE OFFICER'S VEHICLE WAS NOW HEADING WEST TOWARDS A LEGALLY PARKED VEHCILE ON THE WEST SIDE OF SUMMIT AVE. E. THE OFFICER ATTEMPTED TO STEER TO THE RIGHT TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE VEHICLES MOVEMENT. THE OFFICER FOUND THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN LIKE IT HAD BEEN LOCKED. THE VEHICLE HAD TOTAL STEERING FAILURE. THE OFFICER WAS HEADED STRAIGHT TOWARDS THE PARKED VEHICLE, JERKED THE STEERING WHEEL AS HARD AS SHE COULD TO THE RIGHT. HER VEHICLE RESPONDED BUT ENDED UP HITTING TWO PARKED VEHICLES ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE STREET. THESE VEHICLES WERE PUSHED INTO TWO ADDITIONAL VEHICLES AND A MOTORCYLE. THE OFFICE WAS TREATED FOR NECK AND BACK INJURIES.

LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN MAKING QUICK LANE CHANGES OR MAKING SHARP TURNS. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

POLICE CRUISER: WHEN TURNING CORNERS, THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY TIGHT AND HARD TO TURN. WOULD HAVE TO FORCE IT MANUALLY, TO ORIGINAL POSITION. THIS MAKES IT HARD TO DRIVE OR CONTROL VEHICLE. *AK

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! *AK

STEERING LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT RETURN.

STEERING LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT RETURN.

STEERING LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT RETURN.

STEERING LOKS UP AND WILL NOT RETURN. *AK

STEERING LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT RETURN. *AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING DOWN ROAD WHEN STEERING LOCKED UP AND HE COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL, AND STARTED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT.TRIED TO APPLY BRAKES, BUT THEY DID NOT WORK. *AK

THE STEERING COLUMN HAS DETERIORATED WHILE MAKING A TURN.THE WHEEL DOES NOT RETURN, AND IT STARTED LOCKING UP, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONSUMER TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL. THIS IS A POLICE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

VEHICLE HAS HAD THE FRONT BALL JOINT AND INNER TIE RODS REPLACED. RECALL WAS ORDERED ON VEHICLE.

STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT.

STEERING FAILURE.

WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT AND IT FEELS AS THOUGH HAVE NO STEERING POWER. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THIS SITUATION. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK

MARSHALL MIZE FORD 96V135 PITMAN ARM; OWNER TOOK VEHICLE IN ON SERVERAL OCCASIONS FOR INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION AND RECALL WORK WAS NOT PERFOMED, MANUFACTURER DID NOT INIDCATE IF PARTS WERE AVAILABLE TO HONOR RECALL.*AK

STEERING STICKS INTERMITTENTLY, RELEASES WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE.

POLICE VEHICLE, STEERING GEAR FAILED, RESULTING IN STEERING WHEEL TURNING FREELY BUT THE WAS NO CONNECTION TO THE WHEEL. *AK

PITMAN ARM/BALL JOINT IS READY TO FALL OUT, REPLACED PITMAN ARM, POLICE CAR. *AK

POLICE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES AND THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE WITH IT, ESPECIALLY IN CURVES. *AK

POLICE CARS, FOUND 3 PITMAN ARMS DEFECTIVE, REPLACED ALL THREE.

POLICE CARS, FOUND 3 PITMAN ARMS DEFECTIVE, REPLACED ALL THREE. *AK

CONSUMER WA SDRIVING AND SOMETIMES THE STEERING JERKS, ALSO FRONT END MISALIGNMENT, WHILE GOING AROUND CURVES TO THE LEFT, STEERING WHEEL WILL SUDDENLY PULL LEFT, ALMOST CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK

STEERING PROBLEMS AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

STEERING SEEMS LOOSE TO THE POINT WERE THE CAR DOES NOT WANT TO STAY IN LANE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

EXCESSIVE PLAY IN PITMAN ARMS FOUND DURING INSPECTION OF VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

POLICE CARS EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE PLAY IN PITMAN ARMS, FOUND DURING INSPECTION OF 11 CARS. *AK

NOISE WHEN TURNING THE TILT STEERING WHEEL, THEN STEERING LOCKS UP, DUE TO DEFECTIVE STEERING BOX CRACKED OPEN AND PUMP MALFUNCTIONED, REPLACE BOX AND PUMP. TT

NOISE WHEN TURNING THE TILT STEERING WHEEL, THEN STEERING LOCKS UP, DUE TO DEFECTIVE STEERING BOX CRACKED OPEN AND PUMP MALFUNCTIONED, REPLACE BOX AND PUMP. TT