2003 Ford Crown Victoria

Family: Crown Victoria · filed with NHTSA as CROWN VICTORIA, CVPI

Summary

In its first three years the 2003 Crown Victoria drew 115 complaints — 1.9× the median of its generation (1998–2011). It is among the most-complained-about years of this generation.
These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
Complaints are spread across systems: the largest, Wheels & Tires, holds 36% of the 326 that name a component.
8 recalls filed for this model year.
10 federal defect investigations cover this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints: 327
Recalls: 8
Investigations: 10
NCAP overall: Not rated
Combined MPG: 14–18
Annual fuel cost: $3,150–$3,900
Median mileage at complaint: 97,000 mi (n = 248)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths: 17 / 4 / 7 / 0

What owners report

Wheels & Tires

117 complaints · 36% of complaints that name a component · median 80,315 mi (n = 93)

Owner report THESE PARTICULAR WHEELS ON THE CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR WERE KNOWN TO CRACK, AND LEAK AIR, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THEY WERE RECALLED BY FORD, BUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, YAVAPAI-APACHE POLICE IN CAMP VERDE, AZ, NEVER HAD THEM REPLACED. I AM CONSTANTLY ADDING AIR TO MY TIRES. LUCKILY I …

Owner report TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V279000 (WHEELS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT STATED AFTE…

Lighting

104 complaints · 32% of complaints that name a component · median 118,070 mi (n = 79)

Owner report I'm having problems with the lighting control module my high beam lights stop working. I see this year (2003) Ford crown Victoria has a recall for the lighting control module but mines isn't listed when I put in my VIN number and I wanted to see if mines can be listed. Also I would like to know why wasn't it listed on …

Owner report The contact's father owns a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that the headlamps would flash and failed to turn on or to turn off as intended. The contact stated that the failure initially occurred intermittently, but the headlights had become completely inoperable. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. T…

Suspension

28 complaints · 9% of complaints that name a component · median 85,100 mi (n = 23)

Owner report TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGAR SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE M…

Owner report TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V328000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS …

0% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.

Across the generation (1998–2011)

To compare years fairly, each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Median of the comparable years: 62.

Model year	All complaints	First three years	Note
1998	122	61
1999	138	62
2000	89	33	not compared
2001	54	35	not compared
2002	60	31	not compared
2003	327	115	most complaints
2004	155	16	not compared
2005	213	28	not compared
2006	53	7	not compared
2007	50	4	not compared
2008	50	9	not compared
2009	44	15	not compared
2010	12	2	not compared
2011	23	12	not compared

Recalls

Whether a recall has been fixed on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

15V861000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Filed 2015-12-22 · 296,004 vehicles

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2003-2005 Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured October 3, 2001, to August 2, 2005. The affected vehicles have a lighting control module (LCM) that may fail, resulting in a loss of headlights.

Risk: A loss of headlights can reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the LCM, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S39.

07V079000 · WHEELS

Filed 2007-03-06 · 109,664 vehicles

Defect: ON CERTAIN POLICE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH STEEL WHEELS, SOME OF THE WHEELS MAY DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE RIM NEAR THE WELD LINE THAT CONNECTS THE RIM TO THE DISK.

Risk: THE CRACKS CAN ULTIMATELY RESULT IN RAPID AIR LOSS FROM THE TIRE AND COULD AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FOUR ROAD WHEELS AND SPARE WHEEL BASED ON THE WHEEL PART NUMBER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2007. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-343-5338.

06E056000 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Filed 2006-06-13 · 58,640 vehicles

Defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Risk: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

05V206000 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

Filed 2005-05-09 · 132,800 vehicles

Defect: ON CERTAIN POLICE INTERCEPTORS (CVPI) AND COMMERCIAL HEAVY DUTY (TAXI) VEHICLES, AT EXTREMELY HIGH OPERATING TEMPERATURES, THE SOUND INSULATING PANEL, LOCATED UNDER THE VEHICLE POSITIONED BETWEEN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THE UNDERBODY, COULD SAG AND POSSIBLY CONTACT THE SURFACE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.

Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE INSULATOR MIGHT EXPERIENCE CHARRING OF THE OUTER LAYER, BURNING ODOR, OR SMOKE WHICH MAY ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE EXISTING DASH INSULATOR AND INSTALL A REVISED DESIGN INSULATOR PAD FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 3, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

04V328000 · SUSPENSION:REAR

Filed 2004-07-07 · 47,314 vehicles

Defect: CERTAIN POLICE, COMMERCIAL, AND PASSENGER VEHICLES SOLD TO FLEETS TYPICALLY INPUT HIGHER LOADS INTO THE VEHICLE CHASSIS OVERLOADING THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND AXLES.

Risk: THIS COULD LEAD TO EARLY BEARING FAILURE AND ULTIMATELY TO AXLE SHAFT FRACTURE. IN THE EVENT OF AXLE SHAFT FRACTURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE DRIVE FUNCTION AND WOULD COAST TO A STOP. LOSS OF DRIVE FUNCTION COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, SEALS,AND AXLE SHAFTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

03V472000 · FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Filed 2003-11-06 · 4,218 vehicles

Defect: ON CERTAIN NATURAL GAS VEHICLES, IF A FLAME FROM A VEHICLE INTERIOR FIRE BECOMES LOCALLY DIRECTED AT THE NATURAL GAS FUEL TANK LOCATED IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE REAR SEAT, THE FLAME COULD DAMAGE THE FIBERGLASS WRAP ON THE TANK WEAKENING THE TANK.

Risk: IF THE STRENGTH OF THE TANK IS SIGNIFICANTLY COMPROMISED, IT COULD RUPTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN INSULATOR BEHIND THE CURRENT SEAT BACK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

03V279000 · WHEELS

Filed 2003-08-05 · 29,946 vehicles

Defect: ON CERTAIN POLICE AND TAXI VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH STEEL WHEELS, SOME OF THE WHEELS MAY DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE RIM NEAR THE WELD LINE THAT CONNECTS THE RIM TO THE DISK.

Risk: THE CRACKS CAN ULTIMATELY RESULT IN RAPID AIR LOSS FROM THE TIRE AND COULD AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FOUR ROAD WHEELS AND SPARE WHEEL WITH THE MANUFACTURING DATE CODES OF AUGUST 18, 2001 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2002. IN ADDITION, FORD IS PROVIDING EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR WHEELS ON 2003 CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR AND TAXIS BUILT FROM OCTOBER 1, 2002 THROUGH APRIL 29, 2003. THESE WHEELS ARE EXHIBITING CRACKS AT A SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER RATE THAN THOSE WHEELS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

02I003000 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Filed 2002-10-15 · 350,000 vehicles

Defect: IN ORDER TO ENHANCE POLICE OFFICE SAFETY, MODEL YEAR 1992-2003 CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR (CVPI) VEHICLES WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH SHIELDS DESIGNED TO HELP PROTECT THE FUEL TANK IN HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES. FORD ALSO WILL BE OFFERING AN OPTIONAL TRUNK PACKAGE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE SAFE TRANSPORT OF SHARP-EDGED, HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN THESE VEHICLES.

Risk: SOME HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES HAVE RESULTED IN FUEL TANK PUNCTURES AND FIRES IN CVPI VEHICLES.

Remedy: FORD HAS ADVISED US THAT SHIELD KITS HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE LATE OCTOBER AND WILL BE INSTALLED ON POLICE INTERCEPTOR VEHICLES AT NO COST. THE OPTIONAL TRANK PACKAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF 2002. FORD HAS ESTABLISHED A NEW WEB SITE AT WWW.CVPI.COM TO ANSWER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAFE USE OF CPVI VEHICLES.

Federal investigations

Action	Component	Opened	Closed	Recall
PE15028	EXTERIOR LIGHTING	2015-08-10	2016-01-08	15V861000
DP15002	EXTERIOR LIGHTING	2015-04-01	2015-08-11
PE08066	EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS	2008-11-26	2009-03-24
DP05005	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	2005-09-22	2006-01-04
EA04034	WHEELS	2004-12-21	2007-03-08	07V079000
RQ04007	WHEELS	2004-08-02	2004-12-20
PE04010	POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT	2004-01-22	2004-07-08	04V328000
PE03009	WHEELS	2003-02-25	2003-08-08	03V279000
EA03001	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY	2003-01-27	2003-11-19	03V472000
PE02071	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY	2002-10-01	2003-01-27

PE15028: Loss of headlights

DP15002: Loss of headlamp/exterior lighting

PE08066: LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION

DP05005: SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

EA04034: FRACTURE OF THE STEEL WHEEL RIM

RQ04007: FRACTURE OF THE STEEL WHEEL RIM

PE04010: REAR AXLE FRACTURE

PE03009: FRACTURE OF THE STEEL WHEEL RIM

EA03001: CNG TANK EXPLOSION

PE02071: CNG TANK EXPLODING IN A FIRE

Engines and fuel economy

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Fuel cost / yr
Crown Victoria	4.6L 8cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	16	23	18	$3450
Crown Victoria CNG	4.6L 8cyl CNG	Automatic 4-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	12	17	14	$3150
Crown Victoria Police	4.6L 8cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	14	20	16	$3900

Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

Variant	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover
2003 Ford Crown Victoria 4-DR.	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated

Service bulletins

Ford issued 118 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about electrical system.

A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so one listed here may not be specific to this year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.

Date	Component	Summary
2020-07-13	STRUCTURE	This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint wi…
2019-02-07	STRUCTURE	Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Fo…
2019-02-07	STRUCTURE	Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Fo…
2015-06-01	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
2014-04-11	EXTERIOR LIGHTING	FORD: THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO A POSSIBLE CRACK ON SOLDER JOINT THAT CONNECTS RELAY TO CIRCUIT BOARD. MODEL 2003-2005 CROWN VICTORIA, GRAND MARQUIS. *PE
2014-04-11	EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL	FORD: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. INFORMATION REGARDING THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE, FOR SOME VEHICLES, TO 15 YEARS OR 250,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. MODEL 2003-2005 VICTORIA, GRAND MAR…
2007-10-01	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIR PROCEDURE--NOT COVERED UNDER NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY. NJ THIS INCLUDES F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS. UPDATED 2/23/10. PE
2006-01-01	POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY	LIMITED SLIP AXLE CHATTER, SHUDDER, BINDING SENSATION, OR VIBRATION DURING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS. *TT
2005-11-14	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT
2005-06-07	SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR	SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT

How to read this page

Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more often after news coverage or a recall. That is why this page compares a model year only with other years of the same generation, never with other models.

Each complaint is counted once, even when it names several components; a complaint that names several systems appears under each of them. Owner reports are quoted as filed and have not been verified by NHTSA or by us.

Every model year of this Crown Victoria, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Ford Crown Victoria model page.

Sources

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls and investigations (bulk files, data as of 2026-10-28).
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program: crash test ratings.
U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines, transmissions and fuel economy.

MotorAlmanac is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA, EPA or any manufacturer. This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection. Before buying a used car, check its VIN for open recalls and have it inspected.