The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has closed an investigation into loss of steering in select Ford sedans after the automaker said it would inspect over 386,000 vehicles dealing with the issue.
The NHTSA said Ford will check 2005 to 2011 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Marquis and Lincoln Town Car sedans sold in the 22 cold-weather states.
The three vehicles are no longer manufactured by the automaker, according to Reuters.
"Ford's investigation also determined that column lower bearing separation may occur in vehicles that experienced upper intermediate shaft collapse in prior frontal impact collisions if the shaft was not properly diagnosed and repaired," the NHTSA said in a statement.
Dealers will repair steering shafts if needed, free of charge.
"Salt belt" states where the vehicles could be affected the most include: 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 or Wisconsin.
At least 22 incidents of steering separation, 12 complaints and 10 warranty claims, were reported by the automaker that likely occurred due to the issue.
The NHTSA decided to close its inspection based on Ford's decision. The vehicles were not recalled outside the cold-weather states.
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