2011 Ford Crown Victoria Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2011 Ford Crown Victoria ranks as the Best year among the 7 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 0 and just 23 complaints. Steering issues make up 52% of complaints, but two recalls address the underlying steering shaft problem.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #7 of 7 Crown Victoria years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 23
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2011 Ford Crown Victoria problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering12 (52%)
- Structure & Body5 (22%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (22%)
- Engine3 (13%)
- Electrical System2 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (9%)
- Brakes1 (4%)
- Other1 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering column lower bushing dislodges from the tube, letting the shaft work out of its spline.
- Steering pulls to the right, sometimes paired with brakes that grab or screech.
- Front rims crack on police package vehicles, sometimes with no diagnosable cause found by technicians.
- Vehicle stalls in high-speed passing gear and will not restart on multiple occasions.
- Seats and headrests cause lower back and neck discomfort during long shifts, particularly in police-package units.
2011 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.
2011 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.
2011 compared with other Crown Victoria years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 model has the lowest complaint index (0) of the 7 model years tracked and carries a Best verdict relative to other Crown Victoria years.
- What problems does the 2011 Crown Victoria have?
- Steering complaints dominate, making up 52% of the 23 total complaints, mostly involving the lower steering column bushing and shaft. Structure & Body and Suspension issues each account for 22% of complaints.
- Does the 2011 Crown Victoria have a steering recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists two recalls, campaigns 14V704000 and 13V385000, both covering the intermediate steering shaft on 2005-2011 Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, and Town Car vehicles.
- What year Ford Crown Victoria should I avoid?
- Among the years with data, 2005 and 2008 carry Avoid verdicts, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83 respectively, compared to 0 for 2011.
- How many complaints does the 2011 Crown Victoria have?
- NHTSA lists 23 complaints for the 2011 Crown Victoria, along with 2 recalls, 1 crash, and 0 fires or injuries.