2006 Ford Crown Victoria Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2006 Ford Crown Victoria ranks 5th of 7 model years with a complaint index of 33 and earns a Good verdict. Steering problems dominate owner reports, with two recalls covering steering shaft failures.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #5 of 7 Crown Victoria years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 53
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 1
Top 2006 Ford Crown Victoria problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering27 (51%)
- Engine11 (21%)
- Airbags7 (13%)
- Electrical System5 (9%)
- Brakes4 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (8%)
- Structure & Body3 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel suddenly spins freely with no control over the wheels, traced to a dislocated bushing.
- Steering column fails while driving at low speed, causing the vehicle to run into a hillside even after a prior repair.
- Steering loss at higher speed sends the vehicle into a spin and into a median or oncoming vehicle.
- Airbags fail to deploy during frontal or side-impact crashes.
- Vehicle unintentionally shifts or accelerates while the driver presses the brake or reverses, striking another vehicle or object.
2006 Ford Crown Victoria recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V704000Nov 5, 2014Steering36,888 vehicles
Steering:rack and pinion:pinion shaft
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.
Risk: Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 13V385000Aug 29, 2013Steering355,000 vehicles
Steering
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.
Risk: If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
2006 Ford Crown Victoria fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other Crown Victoria years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 53 complaints and a complaint index of 33 for the 2006 model year, giving it a Good verdict compared to other Crown Victoria years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Ford Crown Victoria?
- Steering issues make up 51% of complaints, followed by engine problems at 21% and airbag issues at 13%. Median mileage at failure for steering complaints was around 117,854 miles.
- Does the 2006 Ford Crown Victoria have any recalls?
- Yes, it has two recalls, both related to the steering shaft (campaigns 14V704000 and 13V385000), addressing failures that could cause loss of steering control.
- How does the 2006 model compare to other Crown Victoria years?
- The 2006 ranks 5th worst of 7 years tracked. The 2005 model has the highest complaint index at 100 and an Avoid verdict, while 2010 and 2011 rank as Best.
- Did the 2006 Crown Victoria have airbag deployment failures?
- Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in frontal and side-impact crashes, with airbag complaints making up 13% of total complaints for the year.