NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 137 owner complaints for the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (81) and electrical system (23). 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 |
“THE NEAD LIGHTS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AT 65 MILES A HOUR STOPED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIWAY SHUT OFF THE CAR PLAYED WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON BUT NOW THEY WILL NOT SHUT OFF SO THE BATTERY MUST BE DICONECTED WHEN NOT IN USE WORKING ON FINDING A REPAIR SHOP T FIX IT”
“WHAT HAPPENED IS THAT I GOT THE VIN REPORT ONLINE AND ASKED ABOUT RECALLS, FOUND 5 RECALLS, AND WENT TO THE NHTSA AND NOW YOU DO NOT TELL ME IF THE RECALLS WERE MADE OR THE PROBLEMS FIXED. *TR”
“I was informed by my mechanic that my steering column shaft needs to be replaced on my 2004 primary vehicle. Ford says they do not have a recall and will not cover the service. I have a recall for THE SAME ISSUE for my (not currently driving) 2005 Ford Crown Victoria Interceptor made in the SAME LOCATION (St. Thomas). 2005 Manufacturer Recall Number 13S08, NHTSA Recall Number 13V385000). The recall includes cars originally sold in NH (both of mine) and says: SEVERE CORROSION CAN SEIZE THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WHICH MAY CAUSE THE UPPER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT TO COLLAPSE AND THE STEERING COLUMN LOWER BEARING TO SEPARATE. Safety Risk: IF THE LOWER BEARING SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. How can Ford say there is no issue when there is an active recall for it on model years 2005-2011? Have there been reported issues/crashes of 2004 cars with this defect? Is there anything I can do to have Ford cover this? Or are they not bothering because there probably aren't many 2004s still on the road? Is it possible to get Ford to provide the manufacturer lot/date codes of the defective steering parts? As my 2004 & 2005…”
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 | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| Crown Victoria Police Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 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 |
3 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 137 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (81), electrical system (23), steering (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria at 14–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).