NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 289 owner complaints for the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (96) and wheels (43). The EPA rates it 14–18 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Crown Victoria model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 294 |
| 1997 | 304 |
| 1998 | 134 |
| 1999 | 159 |
| 2000 | 137 |
| 2001 | 84 |
| 2002 | 101 |
| 2003 | 289 |
| 2004 | 137 |
| 2005 | 193 |
| 2006 | 53 |
| 2007 | 50 |
| 2008 | 50 |
| 2009 | 44 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 24 |
“I'm having problems with the lighting control module my high beam lights stop working. I see this year (2003) Ford crown Victoria has a recall for the lighting control module but mines isn't listed when I put in my VIN number and I wanted to see if mines can be listed. Also I would like to know why wasn't it listed on the recall list because this is a safety issue and very dangerous.”
“THESE PARTICULAR WHEELS ON THE CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR WERE KNOWN TO CRACK, AND LEAK AIR, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THEY WERE RECALLED BY FORD, BUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, YAVAPAI-APACHE POLICE IN CAMP VERDE, AZ, NEVER HAD THEM REPLACED. I AM CONSTANTLY ADDING AIR TO MY TIRES. LUCKILY I HAVEN'T HAD A BLOWOUT. I WOULD SETTLE FOR A USED SET OF STOCK WHEELS(12 HOLE TYPE) TO REPLACE THE CURRENT 8 HOLE TYPE, SINCE I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL HUBCAPS ON THE VEHICLE”
“WHILE IN MOTION, CAR BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE FROM REAR. WHAT I THOUGH MIGHT BE A BAD TIRE OR FAILED BRAKE TURNED OUT TO BE A LEAKING REAR AXLE SEAL , DAMAGED AXLE SHAFTS AND BEARINGS. THIS IS THE EXACT RECALL UNDER 04S16 WHICH APPLIES TOWARD 2003 FLEET CV'S. FORD CONTINUALLY DISAPPOINTS AS I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. I HAD A SIMILAR INCIDENT WITH MY LCM (LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE)-- HAD TO PAY REPAIR AND SAVE RECEIPTS FOR 2 YEARS UNTIL FORD FESSED UP AND EXPANDED RECALL AND FINALLY GOT A REFUND. AS OF THIS INCIDENT, THE CAR IS A PASSENGER FAMILY VEHICLE IN GREAT SHAPE/CARE WITH APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MILES ON IT. 4.6 V8 ENGINE. I EXPECT A FULL REFUND FOR THIS REPAIR WHICH IS EFFECTING OTHERS AND COULD HAVE KILLED ME AND MY FAMILY. I CALLED 1(800)392-3673 FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND WAS TOLD TO TUCK MY RECEIPT IN WALLET AND WAIT TO SEE IF A RECALL IS EVER ISSUED. THEY DO IN FACT ACKNOWLEDGE EXACT ISSUE WITH P70, P71, P72--- JUST NOT MY P74. FORD, DO RIGHT BY YOUR PEOPLE! NO WONDER WHY MANY GO TO FOREIGN CARS. LET'S HOPE NHTSA AND FORD CAN RESTORE AMERICAN HOPE. ---NOT TO MENTION OUR LIVES ON THE ROAD.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crown Victoria Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| Crown Victoria Police Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Crown Victoria CNG Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | $3,300 | 502 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
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.
Owners filed 289 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (96), wheels (43), power train (34). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria at 14–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).