Ford CVPI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
134 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
86,417 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 to 2005 model years. Data snapshot: . 120 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Wheels:Rim is the most frequently named component, appearing in 49 of 134 complaints (36.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 8 | 6.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 6.0% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 5.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 3.7% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 2.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 0.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Wheels:Rim | 49 |
| Wheels | 27 |
| Exterior Lighting | 17 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 5 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Tires | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
Wheels:Rim: 49; Wheels: 27; Exterior Lighting: 17; Electrical System: 9; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 5; Steering: 5; Tires: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 28 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 30 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 29 |
| 150,000 and above | 14 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 28; 75,000 to 99,999: 30; 100,000 to 149,999: 29; 150,000 and above: 14
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (30). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 20 |
| 2005 | 37 |
| 2006 | 17 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 14 |
| 2010 | 15 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2003: 6; 2004: 20; 2005: 37; 2006: 17; 2007: 6; 2008: 6; 2009: 14; 2010: 15; 2011: 4; 2012: 2; 2013: 3; 2014: 3; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Wheels:Rim leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10541756 · 2013-09-04 (September 4, 2013)
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY STEERING GOT REALLY STIFF. I COULD NOT KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED OVER. I HAD IT TOWED IN AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ON THE STEERING COLUMN. I CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR CAUSE IT WILL NOT LET ME CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I SEE WHERE FORD HAS RECALLED 2005-2011 MODELS SHOULD BE ON BACK. THE MECHANIC SAID IT ITS NOT THE FIRST ONE HE HAS CHANGED AND THEY ARE VERY PRICEY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 207,403 miles reported. Look up ODI 10541756 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10807179 · 2015-11-27 (November 27, 2015)
THE STEERING WAS SO LOOSE ON THE CAR IT STARTED STEERING BY ITSELF AND TRYING TO GO OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH THEN THE DRIVER SEAT BELT WOULD NOT HOLD THE SEAT BELT KEEP COMING OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING HAD TO HOOK UP TO THE MIDDLE SEATBELT
Owner-reported narrative. 178,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10807179 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039027 · 2003-09-16 (September 16, 2003)
GAS TANK SEAL ON MY 1995 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR IS LEAKING GAS WHICH MAY CAUSE A FIRE OR EXPLOSION IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WHERE TO HAPPEN. I NOTICED THAT 1995 CROWN VICTORIA'S HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS. WHY DOESN'T THIS INCLUDE THE POLICE INTERCEPTORS? *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10039027 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10243834 · 2008-09-29 (September 29, 2008)
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY 1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AS IF SOMEONE HIT MY TRUNK WITH A HAMMER. I PULLED INTO A CONCRETE DRIVE WAY THAT BELONGED TO A GROCERY WAREHOUSE SO I COULD TURN AROUND AND GO BACK TO MY WORK. I DROVE BACK TO MY WORK ABOUT ONE QUARTER MILE FROM WHERE I HEARD THE NOISE. WHILE ENROUTE BACK TO MY WORK I HEARD SCRAPING NOISES SEVERAL TIMES. UPON ARRIVAL TO MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FOR PROBLEMS AND FOUND THAT THE GASOLINE TANK HAD FALLEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE I HAVE …
Owner-reported narrative. 251,878 miles reported. Look up ODI 10243834 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016460 · 2003-04-24 (April 24, 2003)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAIL WHEN WEATHER IS WET DUE TO SNOW OR RAIN. DEALER FIRST CLEANED AN ABS SENSOR WHICH DID NOT WORK. SENSOR WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM EITHER. WIRING WAS TRACED AND NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHAT TO DO NOW. WHEN ABS GOES OUT, THE AMBER ABS LIGHT AND THE RED BRAKE LIGHT COME ON AT THE SAME TIME. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016460 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10110381 · 2005-02-12 (February 12, 2005)
I OPERATE A LIVERY SERVICE WITH CROWN VIC POLICE INTERCEPTOR WHICH I REPLACE EVERY 4 YEARS AVERAGE. ONCE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AROUND 100 000 MARK ITS DIAGNOSED BY THE COMPUTER AND FIXED BUT COMES RIGHT BACK AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND ALSO ABS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM ON THIS CARS THEY GO BAD QUICK. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10110381 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10273701 · 2009-06-13 (June 13, 2009)
I JUST PURCHASED A 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA PI. WHILE CHECKING UNDER THE CAR, I DISCOVERED THE FRAME WAS RUSTING AWAY IN THE AREA OF THE IDLER ARM & WHERE THE RIGHT SWAY BAR BUSHING IS ATTACHED (THE PIECE THAT HOLDS THAT IN PLACE IS GONE AS THERE'S NOTHING TO ATTACH IT TO). I TOOK THE CAR TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME TO REPAIR THIS (PROPERLY) WOULD REQUIRE REPLACING THE FRAME AND THAT TO PATCH IT WOULD DEGRADE THE DESIGNED ABILITY OF THE CAR TO PROTECT THE DRIVER & PASSENGERS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE BODY MAN ALSO MADE A REMARK TO M…
Owner-reported narrative. 127,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10273701 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10259276 · 2009-02-18 (February 18, 2009)
OUR 2000 MODEL CROWN VICTORIA (POLICE INTERCEPTOR P71) WAS IN EXCELLENT OVERALL CONDITION AND WELL MAINTAINED. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN ABOUT FIVE MILES FROM OUR HOME TO A RESTAURANT FOR AN EVENING EVENT. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES, SOMEONE NOTIFIED THE PATRONS THAT OUR CAR WAS ON FIRE. AT THAT TIME, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS FULLY INVOLVED IN FLAMES. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT QUICKLY PUT OUT THE FIRE, BUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. IN THE MONTHS BEFORE, OR AT ANY TIME SINCE WE'VE OWNED THE CAR, THERE HAD BEEN NO ODORS OF GASO…
Owner-reported narrative. 178,602 miles reported. Look up ODI 10259276 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10151157 · 2006-02-24 (February 24, 2006)
FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTORS STALLING AND LACKING POWER. VEHICLES BECOME STUCK IN TRAFFIC OR FAILURE DURING CRIMINAL PURSUIT. FUEL PUMPS ARE BEING REPLACED ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR PLUGGED FUEL PUMP PICKUP SOCK/FILTER. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY DEALER THAT THIS IS GOING ON ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH IT FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS WITH 10 OUT OF 66 VEHICLES SO FAR. LOWEST MILEAGE WAS 27K AND THIS WAS THE HIGHEST. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 65,194 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151157 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10164181 · 2006-08-02 (August 2, 2006)
FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR STALLING AND LACKING POWER. FAILURE DURING CRIMINAL PURSUIT. PLUGGED FUEL PUMP PICKUP SOCK/FILTER. THIRD PUMP ON THIS VEHICLE IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS. MANUFACTURE WARRANTY, BUT OUT OF SERVICE FOR REPAIR. HAVE REPLACED, OR HAD REPLACED BY DEALER OVER 100 PUMPS ON 2003,2004, AND 2005 MODEL YEAR CROWN VIC'S. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 17,809 miles reported. Look up ODI 10164181 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10159436 · 2006-05-30 (May 30, 2006)
2004 CROWN VICTORIA TRANSMISSION SLIPS. *TS THE DEALER REPLACED THE REVERSE CLUTCH. THE SECOND TIME THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 30,988 miles reported. Look up ODI 10159436 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0; 2003: 3; 2004: 2; 2005: 2