Model year record

2003 Ford Crown Victoria

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 309 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V861000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
296,004
Reported to NHTSA
2015-12-22
Owners notified
2017-04-14

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V206000

Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash

Component
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
132,800
Reported to NHTSA
2005-05-09
Owners notified
2005-06-03

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V328000

Suspension: rear

Component
Suspension: rear
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
47,314
Reported to NHTSA
2004-07-07
Owners notified
2004-07-15

Defect description

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

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V472000

Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
4,218
Reported to NHTSA
2003-11-06
Owners notified
2004-01-07

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V279000

Wheels

Component
Wheels
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
29,946
Reported to NHTSA
2003-08-05
Owners notified
2003-08-08

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Exterior lighting89115,000 mi
Wheels24109,000 mi
Electrical system1882,000 mi
Wheels: rim1831,459 mi
Suspension: rear1474,000 mi
Suspension1285,100 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights11108,000 mi
Steering10123,000 mi
Power train965,000 mi
Tires8172,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft769,500 mi
Engine6155,000 mi
Vehicle speed control5121,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly446,000 mi
Visibility/wiper490,944 mi
Air bags3151,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling370,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine3400 mi
Power train: axle assembly325,300 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal369,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control3400 mi
Air bags: frontal2
Power train: driveline: differential unit21,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic23,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields2
Unknown or other285,100 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal213,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: wiring11,500 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood11,500 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash141,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline198 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1400 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.141,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline167,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage1
Fuel/propulsion system183,400 mi
Power train: automatic transmission199,299 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1400 mi
Seat belts: front14,000 mi
Seats1
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, air: antilock17,450 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings150,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Steering: rack and pinion1
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension: multiple axle1
Tires: sidewall1
Vehicle speed control: cables18,999 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system167,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1400 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1400 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer141,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring148,000 mi

The 2002 model has 4 times as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.