The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reportedly opened
a new investigation into potential steering problems with older Ford
Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Mercury Marauder models.
The agency has received several reports of steering shaft obstruction caused by a dislodged heat shield, leading to excessively tight steering or complete lockup. The investigation will attempt to determine if the incidents are related to a widespread defect.At least one injury has been blamed on the problem, after a 2004 Crown Victoria's steering allegedly froze and led to a rollover. The accident occurred in Michigan and may have been caused by part of a heat shield that became dislodged due to salt corrosion.
The latest investigation focuses on vehicles from model years 2004 through 2007, potentially affecting up to 500,000 units.
The company issued a 2013 recall for 2005-2011 models sold in salt-belt states, after several vehicles experienced complete steering failure due to separation of the shafts within the steering column.
The agency has received several reports of steering shaft obstruction caused by a dislodged heat shield, leading to excessively tight steering or complete lockup. The investigation will attempt to determine if the incidents are related to a widespread defect.At least one injury has been blamed on the problem, after a 2004 Crown Victoria's steering allegedly froze and led to a rollover. The accident occurred in Michigan and may have been caused by part of a heat shield that became dislodged due to salt corrosion.
The latest investigation focuses on vehicles from model years 2004 through 2007, potentially affecting up to 500,000 units.
The company issued a 2013 recall for 2005-2011 models sold in salt-belt states, after several vehicles experienced complete steering failure due to separation of the shafts within the steering column.
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