2003 Ford CROWN VICTORIA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
249 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
100,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 177 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting is the most frequently named component, appearing in 85 of 249 complaints (34.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 23 | 9.2% |
| Steering behavior | 17 | 6.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 4.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 2.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 1.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 85 |
| Wheels | 24 |
| Wheels:Rim | 18 |
| Electrical System | 17 |
| Suspension:Rear | 14 |
| Suspension | 12 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 11 |
| Steering | 10 |
Exterior Lighting: 85; Wheels: 24; Wheels:Rim: 18; Electrical System: 17; Suspension:Rear: 14; Suspension: 12; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 11; Steering: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 21 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 23 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 22 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 21 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 50 |
| 150,000 and above | 40 |
Under 25,000: 21; 25,000 to 49,999: 23; 50,000 to 74,999: 22; 75,000 to 99,999: 21; 100,000 to 149,999: 50; 150,000 and above: 40
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (50). 72 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 30 |
| 2004 | 25 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2008 | 13 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2010 | 19 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 14 |
| 2013 | 17 |
| 2014 | 15 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2002: 4; 2003: 30; 2004: 25; 2005: 5; 2006: 10; 2007: 12; 2008: 13; 2009: 12; 2010: 19; 2011: 11; 2012: 14; 2013: 17; 2014: 15; 2015: 12; 2016: 13; 2017: 12; 2018: 7; 2019: 7; 2020: 4; 2021: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10004331 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS NO SHIELD BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE REAR AXLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004331 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005017 · 2003-01-31 (January 31, 2003)
2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA-- THE HEAD RESTS IN THESE AUTOMOBILES ARE SO HIGH THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OVER OR AROUND THEM. THE ONLY WAY TO HAVE VISION TO THE REAR OF THE CAR IS BY RAISING THE HEAD REST UP ON ITS POST, ABOVE THE POSITION THAT WOULD ALLOW IT TO BE OF USE IN AN ACCIDENT.. THE 2003 IS LARGER THAN THE 2000 AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND. THE PRESENT SIZE IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT NEEDS CORRECTION.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005017 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005686 · 2003-02-11 (February 11, 2003)
PREMATURE AND SUDDEN FRONT BRAKE PAD FAILURE ON 2003 FORD CVPI VEHICLES. BRAKES WEAR AND FAIL @4000 MILES AND LESS. FORD ACKNOWLEDGES A BRAKE MATERIAL COMPOUND PROBLEM BUT HAS NO REPAIR. 2002 AND EARLIER CVPI VEHICLES IN FLEET AVERAGE 10,000 MILES PER FRONT BRAKE SERVICE
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005686 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006205 · 2003-02-13 (February 13, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A TIRE BLOWOUT. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006205 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006417 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
FOUND FOUR CRACKED WHEELS AND THREE WHEELS WITH SUSPECTED CRACKS ON 2003 CROWN VICTORIA POLICE CRUISERS. THE DRIVERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF FRONT END VIBRATION AND SHIMMY WHICH LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF CRACKED WHEELS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006417 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007260 · 2003-03-03 (March 3, 2003)
FUEL TANK PLACEMENT, AND LIKELY DANGER OF AN EXPLOSION IN A REAR END COLLISION.*AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007260 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009111 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)
THE WHEELS CRACKED, WHICH CAUSED A LOUD NOISE.(POLICE VEHICLE)*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 28,368 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009111 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009597 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
GOODYEAR TIRE BLOWOUT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009597 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V279000 · Wheels
Reported: 2003-08-05 (August 5, 2003)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗03V472000 · Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 2003-11-06 (November 6, 2003)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V328000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 2004-07-07 (July 7, 2004)
CERTAIN POLICE, COMMERCIAL, AND PASSENGER VEHICLES SOLD TO FLEETS TYPICALLY INPUT HIGHER LOADS INTO THE VEHICLE CHASSIS OVERLOADING THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND AXLES.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗05V206000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
Reported: 2005-05-09 (May 9, 2005)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V861000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 2015-12-22 (December 22, 2015)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗