Research · Large Cars

2006 Ford Crown VictoriaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 53 owner complaints for the 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. Most complaints involve steering (27) and vehicle speed control (9). The EPA rates it 17–18 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
17–18mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Nov 2014
Owner complaints
53
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Steering: pinion shaft

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermediate shaft was serviced during the course of safety recall 13V-385. The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.

SteeringReported Nov 5, 2014NHTSA 14V704000

Steering

Free remedy

Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. 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.

SteeringReported Aug 29, 2013NHTSA 13V385000

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

53 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2006 – Jul 2026
  1. Steering27
  2. Vehicle speed control9
  3. Air bags7
  4. Electrical system4
  5. Suspension4
  6. Power train3
  7. Service brakes3
  8. Structure3
  9. Engine2

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
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
1
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

Steering

27 reports5 crashes
“The contact owns a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle was sluggish. The contact applied more pressure to the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle unintendedly shifted into drive (D), accelerated, and struck the rear of a parked, unoccupied vehicle while blocking oncoming traffic. The contact stated that upon shifting into reverse (R) a second time and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle reversed, but the failure recurred, and the vehicle struck the rear of the unoccupied vehicle, pushing it into another parked and unoccupied vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. No injuries were reported. No Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then driven to AAMCO Transmissions, where the failure was confirmed, but the cause of the failure was not determined upon inspection. The contact was provided an estimate to disassemble the transmission but declined. The vehicle was driven a mile away and towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that the failure was potentially related to the steering column. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, and the contact was…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2026Steering, Power train, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11751128

Vehicle speed control

9 reports3 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE REVVED UP TO 5,000 RPMS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED RANDOMLY. IN ADDITION, THE REAR WHEELS SPUN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS HELD BY THE DEALER FOR THREE MONTHS AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INSTRUCTED THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE SENSOR IN THE THROTTLE BODY CONTROL, BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED THE FAILURE WAS BY PLACING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND CONTINUOUSLY ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 19, 2015Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 10689410

Air bags

7 reports4 crashes
“THE CAR DEALERSHIP DIDN'T TELL US THAT THIS CAR HAVE NO AIR BAG AND ALSO NOTHING WAS CHECKING OR CHANGE ON THE CAR. WE PAID FOR THE CAR AT 2700 AND THE ELECTRIC AND THE RADIATOR ARE BAD AND ALSO THE AC UNIT IS BAD THEY DON'T HAVE NO ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM AND MUCH MORE WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT NO MORE YOU ALREADY PUT 5,000 PLUS $2,700”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 30, 2020Air bags, Service brakes, EngineCrash reportedODI 11377044
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
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

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
152318$3,450494
Crown Victoria
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L, FLEX-FUEL · Rear-Wheel Drive
152318$3,450494
Crown Victoria Police
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142117$3,650523
  • Crown Victoria
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    15 city · 23 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Crown Victoria
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L, FLEX-FUEL
    15 city · 23 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Crown Victoria Police
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    14 city · 21 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
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

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Ford Crown Victoria as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1723Vehicle 1722
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

2006 Crown Victoria questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Ford Crown Victoria have?

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.

What are the most common 2006 Ford Crown Victoria problems?

Owners filed 53 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (27), vehicle speed control (9), air bags (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Ford Crown Victoria get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Ford Crown Victoria at 17–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026