2002 Ford Crown Victoria: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 58 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (12% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford crown victoria. While driving approximately 45 mph and attempting to make a turn, the turn signals and headlights failed to work, except when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact also noticed that the tail lights did not work and the dashboard was blacked out. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who was unable to schedule the vehicle for a diagnostic evaluation. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 38,000. Updated 10/06/16*lj ** updated 10/19/16*lj *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that the headlamps did not illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the lighting control module was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 15v861000 (exterior lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 197,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford crown victoria. While driving 35 mph and proceeding to stop at a red light, the engine stalled and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart after numerous attempts. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the manifold was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,218.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Power steering started catching and couldn't turn the steering wheel smoothly. Hit a curb with my tire and almost hit another car. Still jamming but I don't have enough money to take it into a dealership. Help! *tr”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that the steering failed and the wheel became tight. The vehicle was repaired by the contact and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2013
“Bought the car from a fellow friend he advised me that the car has had a issue with the steering where the steering wheel has play to it and its very dangerous when I drive over 50mph im scared I may crash cause the car moves left to right, and the ABS brakes have a problem the brake jump when I hit them idk what to do im low on funds and I want to know if this is a defect these cars are known for steering and brakes defects..... *tr”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while driving 75 mph, the driver's seat belt came undone. The contact re-secured the seat belt and the failure recurred. The contact had to purchase a seat belt extension in order to keep the seat belt buckled. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the issue. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of the vehicle safety warranty and he would have to replace the seat belt himself. The failure mileage was 40800.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2012
“1. While driving ,led circuitboard ,( under dashboard)burned up emitting smoke into the passenger compartment. It burned a one inch hole in the circuitboard plastic cover . 2. Failure,the part burned up, it may have burned before also,because we have had a burning smell before. 3. Car was parked,turned off for about one-half hour , then driven 6 miles home.,no additional smoke was seen at this time. Part has been removed by owner .old part is available,part # f8vb-14a597-ab. Fuse did not blow and car is drivable with part removed. I think this part is a component of the factory installed alarm system. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2009
“While driving the low beams went out on car,20 minutes later high beams went out. All other lights work properly, headlights have not worked since. Currently in the process to replace part. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2009
“Just cruising through a parking lot on my way into work and had a spark plug blowout. Damaged the spark plug coil as well. Had to buy a new coil, and a helicoil kit to re-tap the spark plug hole. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
ON CERTAIN NATURAL GAS MODEL VEHICLES, A T-FITTING THAT CONNECTS FUEL TANKS #3 AND #4 CAN DEVELOP A LEAK WHEN THE SOLENOID VALVES ARE ENERGIZED, SUCH AS WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS IN THE ON POSITION OR DURING REFUELING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED "T" FITTING ON #4 FUEL TANK AND TESTED FOR LEAKAGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 13, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering shafts are sold for use in 1995-2002 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. These steering shafts may separate during operation if the integral fastener is loose or missing and if the interfacing vehicle shaft is compressed in length.
Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, option 5.
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.
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 NEW WEB SITE AT WWW.CVPI.COM TO ANSWER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAFE USE OF CPVI VEHICLES.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Crown Victoria by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
NHTSA has 58 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Ford Crown Victoria. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (12% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Crown Victoria problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 50,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Ford Crown Victoria have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.