Model year
2003 Ford Crown Victoria
NHTSA lists 5 recalls and 249 complaints for the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are EXTERIOR LIGHTING (85), WHEELS (24), WHEELS:RIM (18). NHTSA lists 9 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 14–18 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,300–$4,200, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 85 complaints
- 2001 53 complaints
- 2002 58 complaints
- 2003 249 complaints
- 2004 138 complaints
- 2005 193 complaints
- 2006 53 complaints
- 2007 50 complaints
- 2008 50 complaints
- 2009 44 complaints
- 2010 12 complaints
- 2011 23 complaints
Recalls
15V861000 · Dec 22, 2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
05V206000 · May 9, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
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…
04V328000 · Jul 7, 2004
SUSPENSION:REAR
CERTAIN POLICE, COMMERCIAL, AND PASSENGER VEHICLES SOLD TO FLEETS TYPICALLY INPUT HIGHER LOADS INTO THE VEHICLE CHASSIS OVERLOADING THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND AXLES.
03V472000 · Nov 6, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
03V279000 · Aug 5, 2003
WHEELS
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.
Complaints
249 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 16, fire flag on 4, injury field 6, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE02071 | CNG TANK EXPLODING IN A FIRE · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | Oct 1, 2002 | Jan 27, 2003 |
| EA03001 | CNG TANK EXPLOSION · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | Jan 27, 2003 | Nov 19, 2003 |
| PE03009 | FRACTURE OF THE STEEL WHEEL RIM · WHEELS | Feb 25, 2003 | Aug 8, 2003 |
| PE04010 | REAR AXLE FRACTURE · POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT | Jan 22, 2004 | Jul 8, 2004 |
| RQ04007 | FRACTURE OF THE STEEL WHEEL RIM · WHEELS; WHEELS:HUBCAP/COVER; WHEELS:HUB; WHEELS:RIM | Aug 2, 2004 | Dec 20, 2004 |
| DP05005 | SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | Sep 22, 2005 | Jan 4, 2006 |
3 more actions are in the file and are not listed in this table.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crown Victoria · 4.6L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 23 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| Crown Victoria CNG · 4.6L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Natural Gas · CNG | 12 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $3,300 |
| Crown Victoria Police · 4.6L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 20 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Ford Crown Victoria at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.