2009 Ford Crown Victoria: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 44 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (34% of complaints); the 2010 and 2011 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the contact became aware that the lower steering column bearing was detaching. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a visual inspection of the vehicle was performed under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V385000 (Steering); however, no repairs were needed at the time. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 338,000.”Owner report · Steering · May 2025
“Lower intermediate steering shaft and upper intermediate steering shaft universal joints are binding, causing very unpredictable steering and the upper intermediate steering shaft to begin separating from the steering column. This is covered under recalls 13S08/13R01. The vehicle was inspected and passed in 2014 so no parts were replaced, but the parts are now failing inspection per recall attachment sheets. Ford is refusing to service these crucial parts which are COVERED in the above recalls.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2023
“The contact owns a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from underneath the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the fuel tank straps had fractured, causing the fuel tank to become detach and drag on the ground. The fuel tank was temporarily reattached, and the vehicle was driven home. The contact later discovered that fuel had leaked from the fuel tank. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 164,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while driving, the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer berlin city ford located at 485 main st, gorham, nh 03581 and the manufacturer were notified of the failure but, no assistance was offered. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the NHTSA campaign number: 14v704000 (steering). The failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 ford crown victoria. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13v385000 (steering). The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the parts were available; however, they would not honor the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. *bf*jb”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2019
“Ford had a recall, 13s08, for the steering on these cars. I just purchased this car on 08?06/2019 and immediately checked your site for recalls. There is this recall and it was not completed. New jersey owned this car before me and must not have taken it in. I called ford and was told they will not take care of the recall. I now do not feel safe driving my car.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2019
“The transmission will not move in drive. Sets and idles. Give it some gas. Will not move. Going to cost $1200 to rebuild it”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2019
“Sterring began giving a clunking feeling in wheel when driving straight I notice 4 days ago. More noticeable over bumps... I thought it was my tires. I was driving down road and attempt to make a right turn and vehicle keep going straight and steering wheel was not turning also crash into oncoming traffic, vehicle was tow to shop!”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2018
“2004 ford crown vic police interceptor. Consumer writes in regards to several problems experienced with vehicle. *ld the consumer stated shifting out of park was difficult, the brakes seemed squishy, the right front passenger window, the lights on the dashboard/speedometer were inoperable, and the water pump needed to be replaced. The turn signals, tail lights and brake lights were inoperable. Exhaust fumes entered the vehicle. *js”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the shaft inside the steering well separated causing the driver to loss control of the vehicle and crashing into a curb. There was no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was damaged but drivable. There was no police report and no injury was reported. The air bags did not deploy. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was about 40,000.”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermediate shaft was serviced during the course of safety recall 13V-385. The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.
Remedy: Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.
Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have occurred as a result of lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.
How other years compare
Check your exact Crown Victoria by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
NHTSA has 44 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 Ford Crown Victoria. The most complained-about area is steering (34% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2009 Ford Crown Victoria problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 71,000 miles or less.
Does the 2009 Ford Crown Victoria have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:rack and pinion:pinion shaft. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.