2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
302
Owner Complaints
7
Recalls
29
Service Bulletins
2
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA
The 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA has received a total of 302 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 7 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH. 29 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Exterior Lighting (84 complaints), Wheels (24 complaints), and Wheelsrim (18 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA
NHTSA has recorded 7 recalls for the 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA, potentially affecting up to 918,922 vehicles.
Recall 15V861000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 296,004 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A loss of headlights can reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the LCM, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S39.
View full details →Recall 06E056000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
| 58,640 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
View full details →Recall 05V206000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
| 132,800 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE INSULATOR MIGHT EXPERIENCE CHARRING OF THE OUTER LAYER, BURNING ODOR, OR SMOKE WHICH MAY ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE EXISTING DASH INSULATOR AND INSTALL A REVISED DESIGN INSULATOR PAD FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 3, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
View full details →Recall 04V328000 — SUSPENSION:REAR
| 47,314 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN POLICE, COMMERCIAL, AND PASSENGER VEHICLES SOLD TO FLEETS TYPICALLY INPUT HIGHER LOADS INTO THE VEHICLE CHASSIS OVERLOADING THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND AXLES.
Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO EARLY BEARING FAILURE AND ULTIMATELY TO AXLE SHAFT FRACTURE. IN THE EVENT OF AXLE SHAFT FRACTURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE DRIVE FUNCTION AND WOULD COAST TO A STOP. LOSS OF DRIVE FUNCTION COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, SEALS,AND AXLE SHAFTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
View full details →Recall 03V472000 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
| 4,218 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IF THE STRENGTH OF THE TANK IS SIGNIFICANTLY COMPROMISED, IT COULD RUPTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN INSULATOR BEHIND THE CURRENT SEAT BACK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
View full details →Recall 03V279000 — WHEELS
| 29,946 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN POLICE AND TAXI VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH STEEL WHEELS, SOME OF THE WHEELS MAY DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE RIM NEAR THE WELD LINE THAT CONNECTS THE RIM TO THE DISK.
Consequence: THE CRACKS CAN ULTIMATELY RESULT IN RAPID AIR LOSS FROM THE TIRE AND COULD AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FOUR ROAD WHEELS AND SPARE WHEEL WITH THE MANUFACTURING DATE CODES OF AUGUST 18, 2001 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2002. IN ADDITION, FORD IS PROVIDING EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR WHEELS ON 2003 CROWN VICTORIA POLICE...
View full details →Recall 02I003000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
| 350,000 vehicles affected
Defect: IN ORDER TO ENHANCE POLICE OFFICE SAFETY, MODEL YEAR 1992-2003 CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR (CVPI) VEHICLES WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH SHIELDS DESIGNED TO HELP PROTECT THE FUEL TANK IN HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES. FORD ALSO WILL BE OFFERING AN OPTIONAL TRUNK PACKAGE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE SAFE TRANSPORT OF SHARP-EDGED, HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN THESE VEHICLES.
Consequence: SOME HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES HAVE RESULTED IN FUEL TANK PUNCTURES AND FIRES IN CVPI VEHICLES.
Remedy: FORD HAS ADVISED US THAT SHIELD KITS HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE LATE OCTOBER AND WILL BE INSTALLED ON POLICE INTERCEPTOR VEHICLES AT NO COST. THE OPTIONAL TRANK PACKAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF 2002. FORD HAS ESTABLISHED A...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA
302 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The contact's father owns a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that the headlamps would flash and failed to turn on or to turn off as intended. The contact stated that the failure initially occurred intermittently, but the headlights had become completely inoperable. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V861000 (Exterior Lighting), which described the failure; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
I brought this vehicle into the dealership for safety recall 15s39. There were no problems with the vehicle prior to taking it in. When I received the vehicle back from the dealer they had admitted to not completing all the steps in the safety recall. Now that I have the vehicle the dealer returned it to me with the following issues: all of the interior and exterior lighting including the headlights do not work and the air bag light is illuminated. A supervisor at Ford customer service said they refuse to do anything about the new problems they caused. She stated that "well, it's a pretty old car." I don't think the age of the car should give Ford a pass to not fix a safety recall. The fix for their safety recall only created safety problems with this car - namely the air bags may not work.
I brought this vehicle into the dealership for safety recall 15s39. There were no problems with the vehicle prior to taking it in. When I received the vehicle back from the dealer they had admitted to not completing all the steps in the safety recall. Now that I have the vehicle the dealer returned it to me with the following issues: all of the interior and exterior lighting including the headlights do not work and the air bag light is illuminated. A supervisor at Ford customer service said they refuse to do anything about the new problems they caused. She stated that "well, it's a pretty old car." I don't think the age of the car should give Ford a pass to not fix a safety recall. The fix for their safety recall only created safety problems with this car - namely the air bags may not work.
I brought this vehicle into the dealership for safety recall 15s39. There were no problems with the vehicle prior to taking it in. When I received the vehicle back from the dealer they had admitted to not completing all the steps in the safety recall. Now that I have the vehicle the dealer returned it to me with the following issues: all of the interior and exterior lighting including the headlights do not work and the air bag light is illuminated. A supervisor at Ford customer service said they refuse to do anything about the new problems they caused. She stated that "well, it's a pretty old car." I don't think the age of the car should give Ford a pass to not fix a safety recall. The fix for their safety recall only created safety problems with this car - namely the air bags may not work.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that both headlights were inoperable. The contact stated that the headlights failed to function properly and had become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the lighting control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
Safety Rating for the 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA
Ford Motor Company has issued 29 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
03M03 — WHEELS
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 03M03 - STEEL WHEEL ADDITIONAL COVERAGE. *TT ADVANCE NOTICE. *TT
042123 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CHARGING SYSTEM - HIGH OUTPUT GENERATOR NOW AVAILABLE FOR SERVICING 2003 POLICE INTERCEPTOR VEHICLES. *TT
18222 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0460 IN CONTINUOUS MEMORY. OASIS. *TT
04E12 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
EMISSION RELATED SERVICE ACTION 04E12. VEHICLES SERVICED WITH AN INCORRECT RIGHT HAND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. INSPECT AND REPLACE RIGHT HAND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ATTACHMENTS I-III AND CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER. *TT
17876 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0442 OR P0456. *TT
17694 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
REDUCTION IN POWER AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE (WOT) AFTER EXTENDED IDLE. *TT
17737 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH BINDING. *TT
17468 — STRUCTURE:BODY
COSMETIC CRACKING OF THE CENTER FLOOR PAN. *TT
17516 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
INTERMITTENT HORN SELF-ACTIVATION. *TT
17360 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
LACKS POWER AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE (WOT) AFTER EXTENDED IDLE. *TT
Showing 10 of 29 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA
NHTSA has opened 2 investigations into potential safety defects in the 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA.
Other Model Years of the FORD CROWN VICTORIA
- 1998 FORD CROWN VICTORIA — 138 complaints
- 1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA — 174 complaints
- 2000 FORD CROWN VICTORIA — 103 complaints
- 2001 FORD CROWN VICTORIA — 70 complaints
- 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA — 71 complaints
- 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA (current)
- 2004 FORD CROWN VICTORIA — 175 complaints
- 2005 FORD CROWN VICTORIA — 239 complaints
- 2006 FORD CROWN VICTORIA — 65 complaints
- 2007 FORD CROWN VICTORIA — 74 complaints
- 2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA — 64 complaints
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD TAURUS — 23,867 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints