Steering Column Problems of Lincoln Town Car

I have only 20,118 original miles on my 2004 Lincoln Town Car ultimate. The steering column under the hood is terribly rusted. The corrosion looks scary. I wanted to take it to the dealer to have them tell me if I needed to replace it! now, I wasn't looking for Ford to pay for anything but get this - they want me to pay them a $100 diagnostic fee just to tell me if I need to replace the steering column! the 2005 Town Car is being recalled for the same thing yet Ford is paying for this. What recourse do I have. I see now why they want to charge for this inspection because they know these cars well and are aware of the corrosion issue with their steering components. Now the I look at the toe-in toe-out position of the front wheels one wheel is pointing straight ahead and the other is turned slightly away from straight. It isn't causing any problems but I want this inspected so I can replace the parts if needed but I'll be double-damned if I give the morons $100 just to tell me if I need to replace the steering column shaft. This car looks like it is brand new on the outside, the interior's leather has no creases. . . No one has even sat in the rear compartment. It has been well cared for too. This is why I cannot believe the steering column is so freakin rusty - it looks dangerous! I looks like something from a car that's been sitting in a junk yard all its life. Now I see why the Lincoln concierge was absolutely no help what so ever. Ford knows about this corrosion issue.

See all problems of the 2004 Lincoln Town Car 🔎.

Tl the contact owns a 1997 Lincoln Town Car. While driving approximately 60 mph, the steering ability became loose and the contact lost control. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the steering column failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 300,000.

See all problems of the 1997 Lincoln Town Car 🔎.

The contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that the steering column was coming apart and the power steering malfunctioned while driving and parking. The contact stated that a previous recall repair for NHTSA campaign number: 13v385000 (steering) was performed incorrectly. The contact stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 14v704000 (steering). Riley Ford inc (9693 u. S. 9, chazy, NY 12921, (518) 846-7131) wanted to charge the contact $2,600 to correct the initial recall repair. The manufacturer admitted that the contact had a valid point, but they were not authorized to make a decision. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 186,000.

See all problems of the 2006 Lincoln Town Car 🔎.

I am aware of the current recall regarding crown victoria, grand marquis, and Lincoln towncar using the lower intermediate shaft corrosion as the issue. I am not convinced that this is the primary reason for possible loss of steering control. I lost control of the steering in my towncar a few weeks ago and had it towed to a dealer in new castle delaware. The service writer offered no explanation other than the steering column shaft had broken. After a personal closer inspection I determined that the steering column shaft was pulled apart as a result excessive travel of the lower intermediate shaft. The reasoning offered by Ford blames only the issue of corrosion thus minimizing the parts for possible replacement. Fortunately, when I experienced the loss of steering in my car I was pulling into a parking space at low speed. Had I been out on the highway the results could have been much worse.

See all problems of the 2007 Lincoln Town Car 🔎.

As part of the recent Ford steering recall, an emergency inspection was done on 11/18/13 at 69,104 and declared safe to drive. On 3/18/14 driving to the dealer to have recall work performed, the steering column locked-up solid at the turn was made entering the dealers property. A repair was done replacing the lower shaft only as shown in picture #1. Then less than 14 months later a repeat failure of the upper shaft assembly shown in picture #2. There was no secondary recall issued, so a search by VIN showed no outstanding recall, and the dealers insistent ed this was not a recall issue, but. It was, as the complete upper and lower shaft should have been replaced during the repair. The unpredictable locking of the steering wheel poses a serious injury/death risk. All vehicles part of the initial recall should be inspected to insure the repair was don completely and correctly. Pictures available on request (can't seem to attach n this form) also see previous for filed when first failure occurred despite inspection that declared vehicle safe to drive.

Tl- the contact owns a 2006 Lincoln toen car. The contact stated while driving in reverse, the steering wheel seized and the lower intermediate shaft collapse which caused the steering column to separate from the lower bearing. The vehicle wa towed to the dealer for a diagnosis and the stated that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The dealer had also informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number:13v385000(steering). The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000,gb.

The contact owns a 2005 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel became stuck without any warning. The vehicle returned to normal function after the contact proceeded to drive. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was taken to two different independent mechanics, who both informed the contact that the lower intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. There was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 13v385000 (steering) however, the contact's VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.

See all problems of the 2005 Lincoln Town Car 🔎.

We were entering interstate 75 in florida on a ramp and the car became very difficult to steer. When we were able to return and take it to an automobile shop, they told us the multiple u-joints on the lower steering column were rusted to where they would not function properly. We have a 2010 Lincoln town cat that had the same problem and there was a recall on it. The 2004 Lincoln Town Car has the same steering so why wasn't there a recall on it. We are still driving the 2004, but it was after we spent a large amount of money on having it repaired so it was safe to drive. We wrote a year ago about the 2004 Lincoln Town Car, but received an answer. . . . Updated 12/04/14.

There wasnt an acccident but my steering column has a problen. It is binding, loose, and makes noise.

The contact owns a 2004 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph , there was an immediate loss of steering control. The contact was able to regain control and maneuvered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who replaced two steering column shaft assemblies. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 37,847.

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town Car. The metal piece that secures the steering column came apart. This part was also responsible for allowing the column to rotate in a circular motion. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice and the metal piece was replaced. The repairs did not remedy the failure. He then purchased parts and modified the steering column. The failure mileage was 68,000.

See all problems of the 2003 Lincoln Town Car 🔎.

While driving 15 mph steering bolt disengaged from the steering column, causing loss of steering.

See all problems of the 1996 Lincoln Town Car 🔎.

While driving 45 mph the vehicle swerved to the left without warning . The consumer could not control the vehicle and the vehicle went through a guard rail. The vehicle flipped over three times down an embankment. The consumer suffered injuries to the spine and several limbs. The insurance company claims that the steering column malfunctioned. The vehicle was totaled.

Consumer was unable to start the vehicle because the steering wheel was locked, the steering wheel was difficult for the consumer to unlock.