NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 50 owner complaints for the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria. Most complaints involve steering (25) and vehicle speed control (11). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY MAY FRACTURE DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT.
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 contact owns a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The contact inspected the steering column underneath the hood and noticed that the steering shaft was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V385000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO SERVICE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BEARINGS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHCLE, CAUSING THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V385000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.”
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 FFV Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| 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 50 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (25), vehicle speed control (11), suspension (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).