2010 Ford Crown Victoria Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2010 Ford Crown Victoria has a complaint index of 17, the second-lowest among the 7 model years with data, and NHTSA ranks it 6th worst (meaning 2nd best). It earns a Best verdict, with steering issues making up 58% of its 12 complaints, tied to two recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 17/100
- #6 of 7 Crown Victoria years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 12
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2010 Ford Crown Victoria problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering7 (58%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (17%)
- Airbags1 (8%)
- Brakes1 (8%)
- Electrical System1 (8%)
- Fuel System1 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering shafts have fractured or bound up while driving, sometimes causing loss of control at highway speed.
- Owners describe the steering wheel feeling sloppy or dropping 1-2 inches when going over bumps or curves at over 55 mph.
- Some drivers report needing excessive force to steer, along with an unknown warning light and gear oil leaking from the rear axle area.
- Rear tires have blown out without warning while driving around 65 mph, in one case leading to a crash.
- A watts link stud broke off in the rear axle during a turn, causing the car to shift side to side.
- Headlight sockets have melted, blowing bulbs and requiring repeated socket replacement.
2010 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.
2010 Ford Crown Victoria fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- 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.
2010 compared with other Crown Victoria years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 Crown Victoria has a complaint index of 17, the second lowest of the 7 model years with data, and carries a Best verdict relative to other Crown Victoria years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Ford Crown Victoria?
- Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 7 of 12 complaints (58%), with issues reported at a median mileage of 135,000 and tied to two safety recalls.
- Does the 2010 Ford Crown Victoria have a steering recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists two recalls covering steering shaft issues, campaigns 13V385000 and 14V704000, both addressing intermediate steering shaft problems on 2005-2011 Crown Victoria vehicles.
- How does the 2010 Crown Victoria compare to other years?
- The 2010 model ranks 6th worst out of 7 years by complaint index, well below the 2005 model's index of 100 and just behind the 2011 model's index of 0.