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Research · Large Cars

2001 Ford Crown VictoriaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 84 owner complaints for the 2001 Ford Crown Victoria. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (14) and electrical system (9). The EPA rates it 16–18 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
16–18mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Oct 2015
Owner complaints
84
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering

Free remedy

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering shafts are sold for use in 1995-2002 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. These steering shafts may separate during operation if the integral fastener is loose or missing and if the interfacing vehicle shaft is compressed in length.

SteeringReported Oct 6, 2015NHTSA 15E082000

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jun 13, 2006NHTSA 06E056000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, otherReported Nov 6, 2003NHTSA 03V472000
See all 7 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

84 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2001 – Aug 2021
  1. Engine and engine cooling14
  2. Electrical system9
  3. Vehicle speed control9
  4. Air bags8
  5. Steering7
  6. Suspension6
  7. Fuel system, gasoline6
  8. Seat belts5
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Crown Victoria model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996294
1997304
1998134
1999159
2000137
200184
2002101
2003289
2004137
2005193
200653
200750
200850
200944
201012
201124
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

14 reports1 fire
“2001 FORD CROWN VICTORIA ON A STEEP HILL BLEW OUT THE #1 SPARK PLUG FROM IT'S CYLINDER. THE EJECTED SPARK PLUG HAD BEEN INSTALLED MORE THAN A YEAR PRIOR, WITH NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2010Engine and engine coolingODI 10362693

Electrical system

9 reports1 fire
“WHEN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT STOPPED AND THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON HIGH THE TURN SIGNALS PERIODICALLY RAPIDLY FLASH. THE AUDIBLE CLICKING OF THE TURN SIGNALS CLICKS FAST AS WELL. THE BULBS ARE NOT BLOWN. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY OR IT DOES HAPPEN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 27, 2016Electrical systemODI 10861787

Vehicle speed control

9 reports2 crashes1 fire
“WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT THE CAR ACCELERATED AND I MISSED A PARKED CAR AND WAS ABLE TO STOP. I WAS GOING ABOUT 5MPH AND IT ACCELERATED VERY FAST NOT SURE MPH BUT IT WAS SCARY. I HAPPENED SEPT. 14, 2011. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2011Vehicle speed controlODI 10426607
All 2001 Crown Victoria problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl · 4.6L 8-cyl cng
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Natural Gas

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Crown Victoria
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162318$3,450494
Crown Victoria Police
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142117$3,650523
Crown Victoria CNG
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142116$2,900439
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Ford Crown Victoria as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4349
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2001 Crown Victoria questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Ford Crown Victoria have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2001 Ford Crown Victoria problems?

Owners filed 84 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (14), electrical system (9), vehicle speed control (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Ford Crown Victoria get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Ford Crown Victoria at 16–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026