FORD Crown Victoria
Reliability, NHTSA Complaints & Recall History
10 model years analyzed (2002–2011). All data sourced directly from the NHTSA public complaints and recall database — the same data used by federal regulators.
Checking a specific FORD Crown Victoria? Run a VIN check for its exact history.
⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
AI Interpretation
High ConfidenceAverageNHTSA complaint data for the 2002–2011 Ford Crown Victoria shows a high volume of reports concentrated in exterior lighting and steering components. The 2003 model year accounts for the most complaints, while later years (2009–2011) have significantly fewer reports. Crash-related complaints are relatively low compared to total complaints.
- Exterior lighting is the most complained-about component with 285 complaints.
- Steering complaints total 185, the second-highest category.
- The 2003 model year has the highest number of complaints (289), while 2010 has the fewest (12).
- Crash-related complaints account for 78 of the 952 total complaints.
- Exterior lighting issues, such as headlight or taillight failures.
- Steering problems, including potential loss of control or difficulty steering.
- Electrical system malfunctions, possibly affecting multiple vehicle functions.
The 2003 model year has the most complaints (289), driven largely by exterior lighting and steering issues. The 2005 and 2004 years also show elevated complaint counts.
Model years 2009–2011 show the fewest complaints (44, 23, and 12 respectively), suggesting improved reliability or lower reporting rates. Buyers may prefer these later years.
- Inspect exterior lighting for proper operation and signs of corrosion or damage.
- Check steering for play, noise, or stiffness during a test drive.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for steering, electrical, and lighting repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on reported components.
🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls
37 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
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Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2002–2011. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 952 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
952 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle as an unknown warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that the gear oil would leak from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where he had the brake pads and calipers on the rear passenger’s side of the vehicle replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact called the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V385000 (Steering). The contact was informed that parts needed to be ordered to perform the recall repair. The contact had not received a call back for the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000
DRIVING OVER 55 MPH WHILE GOING OVER BUMPY HWY OR ON A CURVE THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS SLOPPY AND DROPS DOWN 1-2 INCHES TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT DEPENDING ON THE CURVE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED AND HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COLLIDING WITH THE CONCRETE BARRIER WALL AS THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND, GOING IN REVERSE AND COLLIDING WITH THE BARRIER WALL AGAIN, COMING TO A STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. ALL KINDS OF WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND FLICKERED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. ONLY THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, CHEST, BACK, HAND INJURIES, AS WELL AS HEAD INJURIES AS HIS HEAD HIT THE WINDOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD A PASSENGER SEATED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT, WHOM SUSTAINED A CRACKED SPINE. THE CONTACT AND THE REAR PASSENGER WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 226,000.
MY WATTS LINK STUD IS BROKE OFF IN THE REAR AXLE IT HAPPENED THIS MORNING ON MY WAY TOO WORK WHEN I MADE A TURN SO NOW THE CAR SHIFTS SIDE TOO SIDE I HAD TOO DRIVE 10 MPH SO THAT I COULD KEEP IT IN THE ROAD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT OVERHEARD AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING, BUT NO FUEL LEAKS WERE FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 195,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER FIANC WAS DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH AND GETTING OFF A RAMP, THE STEERING SHAFT FRACTURED INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN, WITHOUT WARNING, AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A CURB AND STOPPED IN A GRASSY AREA. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE CRASH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH WITH AN EIGHTEEN WHEELER DRIVING NEXT TO THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND NO INJURY WAS REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT FRACTURED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE AL PACKER'S WHITE MARSH FORD DEALER (443-777-5000, LOCATED AT 9801 PULASKI HWY, MIDDLE RIVER, MD 21220) AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER, STATING THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V704000 AND 13V385000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME ISSUE THAT IS REPORTED UNDER THE RECALL LIST AS FAR AS STEERING IT IS POPPING AND ACTUALLY GETTING STUCK WHEN TURNING, THE GAS PEDAL VIBRATES WHILE TURNING AND THE DEALER SAID IT WAS RECALLED BUT NOT MY FOR MY VIN AFTER I TOOK IT TO THEM.
SHAFT SLID OUT OF BACK END OF STEERING WHEEL
I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON I-75, JUST NORTH OF IT'S EXIT WITH I-4, AND SOUTH OF ITS EXIT TO MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD., AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT THRU LANE WHEN SUDDENLY, AND WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING MY 2010 CROWN VICTORIA TO FISHTAIL ON I-75 AND, I BELIEVE, TO BE STRUCK BY A SEMI-TRUCK WHICH CONTINUED SOUTH. MY CAR SPUN AND CAME TO REST ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. I SUSTAINED INJURY TO MY NECK, MID BACK AND LOW BACK. I SUSTAINED A LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND HEAD INJURY. THIS TIRE WAS PLACED ON THE 2010 CROWN VICTORIA BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL AT GULF COAST TRANSPORTATION, INC., 1701 W. CASS STREET, TAMPA, FLORIDA 33606, ON 10/27/15. THE ACCIDENT AND/OR BLOW OUT OCCURRED ON 10/29/15. THE BLOWN OUT TIRE WAS REPLACED BY GULF COAST MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL ON 10/30/15, 12:15 PM, AS SHOWN IN THE ATTACHED PHOTOGRAPH. GULF COAST IS, OR SHOULD BE, IN POSSESSION OF THE BLOWN OUT TIRE AND IS BEING PLACED ON NOTICE TO RETAIN THE BLOWN OUT TIRE FOR YOUR INVESTIGATION.
THE HEADLIGHT SOCKETS ARE MELTING, CAUSING THE BULBS TO BLOW OUT. WE HAVE REPLACED APPROXIMATELY 6 SOCKETS, MOSTLY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, AND MULTIPLE BULBS. MHQ SAYS THIS IS COMMON. SHOULD THERE BE A RECALL? SHOULD FORD BE FIXING THIS? *TR
INSPECTION FOUND DISLOCATED BUSHING. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE BRAKING FROM APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY AND JUMP. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AT HIS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Unknown
Vehicle is exhibiting stiff steering issues associated with steering column. Mechanic determined steering shaft requires replacement. This vehicle was already involved in a steering column recall several years ago however the problem appears to have returned.
I learned of recall on some models of crown victoria police interceptor. I own 3 such vehicles. Two were identified for recall, the third a 2011 however was not. This car has signs of steering issues very hard to turn the wheel at times. There is rust on the lower intermediate steering shaft and at the u joints of the shaft. When I took the other vehicles in for recall servicing I provided the vin # for the 2011 and was informed that there was no recall for it. I am hoping that the recall can be expanded to include this vehicle which is showing some signs of steering shaft issues.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the steering wheel started clicking and making an abnormal popping sound. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated he was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V704000 (Steering) or 13V385000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 60 MPH, THE FRONT END WOULD VIBRATE AND A CLUNKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. EVENTUALLY THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NOT LOCK AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT BEARING WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER RYE FORD LOCATED AT 1151 BOSTON POST RD, RYE, NY 10580 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V385000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
LOWER REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER TAB DISCONNECTS FROM GLASS, AND DOES NOT STAY PERMANENTLY ATTACHED.
MY STEERING I SUPER HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL WHEN PARKED AS WELL AS DRIVING. IT IS BECAUSE OF THE STEERING SHAFT IS RUSTED OUT AND VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE .I JUST FOUND OUT THAT FORD HAD A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BUT I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT IT
THERE IS A RECALL ON MY CAR,THE RITE FRONT WHEEL IS MAKING POPING SOUNDS.
Showing 20 of 952 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check a Specific FORD Crown Victoria
This page shows fleet averages across all 10 model years. Enter a VIN to see the exact accident history, odometer records, title brands, and open recall status for a specific car.
📖 Understanding This Data
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The FORD Crown Victoria has 952 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The FORD Crown Victoria has 37 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 78 of the FORD Crown Victoria's 952 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the AI Rating Calculated?
The AI reliability rating (Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. The rating provides a plain-English summary for buyers who want a quick verdict without parsing raw numbers. It is one input in your buying decision — always verify with a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all FORD Crown Victoria vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two FORD Crown Victoria vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The FORD Crown Victoria has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.