Motor Almanac

Ford / Crown Victoria / 2005

2005 Ford Crown Victoria

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

Summary

  • Of the 213 complaints that name a component, 49% concern Lighting (105).
  • 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.
  • Not enough history to compare this year with the rest of its generation.
  • 7 recalls filed for this model year.
  • 8 federal defect investigations cover this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints
213
Recalls
7
Investigations
8
NCAP overall
Not rated
Combined MPG
16–19
Annual fuel cost
$3,300–$3,900
Median mileage at complaint
80,000 mi (n = 177)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths
13 / 2 / 10 / 1

What owners report

Lighting

105 complaints · 49% of complaints that name a component · median 80,000 mi (n = 91)

Owner report The contact owns a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that the headlights had become intermittently inoperable while driving at night. The contact personally replaced the fuses and undisclosed parts, per the information found online; however, the failure persisted. The odometer was inoperable. The dealer was …
Owner report Safety recall for the LCM was repaired by lameroux Ford in Brookfield but the bypass was not preformed and the lcm is still acting up. Called and they want to charge me to look at the work they failed to do properly. Brought it to another mechanic who verified the LCM was not bypassed.

Steering

37 complaints · 17% of complaints that name a component · median 98,201 mi (n = 33)

Owner report Power steering went out when I was driving and barely avoided a collision. Light went out another time when I was driving.
Owner report DESPITE HAVING SUBJECT VEHICLE SERVICED BY A DEALERSHIP UNDER RECALL 13V385, THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT DEVELOPED A CORROSION DEFECT AFTER FOUR YEARS WHEREIN IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE AT LOWER SPEEDS AND A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WAS AUDIBLE FROM WITHIN THE CABIN EVERY TIME THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL PA…

Electrical System

22 complaints · 10% of complaints that name a component · median 88,000 mi (n = 19)

Owner report Safety Recall 19S35b Processor Lighting cont was done on 3/22/2021on my working part. The original module was working fine. Now the new light module is faulty. Dealership took out part and tested it. Determined that is was faulty causing my lights to fail. Dealership and Ford has denied covering a replacement of the f…
Owner report The contact owns a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the exterior lights became inoperable. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed that the Lighting Control Module (LCM) needed to be replaced. The vehicl…

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 yearAll complaintsFirst three yearsNote
199812261
199913862
20008933not compared
20015435not compared
20026031not compared
2003327115most complaints
200415516not compared
200521328not compared
2006537not compared
2007504not compared
2008509not compared
20094415not compared
2010122not compared
20112312not 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.

14V704000 · STEERING:RACK AND PINION:PINION SHAFT

Filed 2014-11-05 · 36,888 vehicles

Defect: 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.

13V385000 · STEERING

Filed 2013-08-29 · 355,000 vehicles

Defect: 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.

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.

05V518000 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

Filed 2005-11-09 · 98,836 vehicles

Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BATTERY CABLE INCLUDES A FUSIBLE LINK THAT MAY CONTACT AND SUBSEQUENTLY CHAFE ON A #2 CROSS MEMBER ATTACHING BOLT.

Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN HEAT DAMAGE AND COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUSIBLE LINK AND POSITION IT AWAY FROM THE CROSS MEMBER BOLT. IF THE FUSIBLE LINK HAS ALREADY CHAFED AND COPPER WIRES HAVE BEEN EXPOSED, THE FUSIBLE LINK WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673, OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.

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.

Federal investigations

ActionComponentOpenedClosedRecall
PE15028EXTERIOR LIGHTING2015-08-102016-01-0815V861000
DP15002EXTERIOR LIGHTING2015-04-012015-08-11
PE14021ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM2014-07-072014-11-21
EA13004STEERING:COLUMN2013-04-262013-11-1513V385000
PE12025STEERING:COLUMN2012-09-142013-04-26
PE08066EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS2008-11-262009-03-24
EA04034WHEELS2004-12-212007-03-0807V079000
RQ04007WHEELS2004-08-022004-12-20

PE15028: Loss of headlights

DP15002: Loss of headlamp/exterior lighting

PE14021: Steering Column Shaft Obstruction

EA13004: Loss of Steering Control

PE12025: Loss of Steering Control

PE08066: LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION

EA04034: FRACTURE OF THE STEEL WHEEL RIM

RQ04007: FRACTURE OF THE STEEL WHEEL RIM

Engines and fuel economy

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyCombinedFuel cost / yr
Crown Victoria4.6L 8cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive162319$3300
Crown Victoria Police4.6L 8cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive142016$3900

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

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

VariantOverallFrontalSideRollover
2005 Ford Crown Victoria 4-DR. w/SABNot RatedNot RatedNot RatedNot Rated
2005 Ford Crown Victoria 4-DR.Not RatedNot RatedNot RatedNot Rated

Service bulletins

Ford issued 44 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about engine and engine cooling.

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.

DateComponentSummary
2020-07-13STRUCTUREThis 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…
2019-02-07STRUCTURESome 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…
2019-02-07STRUCTURESome 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…
2016-09-21ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINEThe Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate …
2016-04-21STEERINGFor 2005-2012 Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Grand Marquis and Town Car vehicles, Regional Program 13R01 applies to vehicles not registered in corrosion states and not included in Safety Recall 13S08, where operation in high corrosion areas for …
2016-04-21STEERINGInpected or repaired under 13R01 - Requests for recall service action under 13S08
2015-06-01ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
2014-09-16STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMANFORD: THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, HAS CORROSION OF SWING LINK JOINTS, COMBINED WITH COLLAPSED UPPER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, RESULTING IN STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. MODEL 2005-2011 CROWN VICTOR…
2014-04-11EXTERIOR LIGHTINGFORD: 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
2014-04-11EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUALFORD: 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…

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.