2003 Ford Crown Victoria: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 249 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is exterior lighting (35% of complaints); the 2001 and 2002 and 2004 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 249 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I'm having problems with the lighting control module my high beam lights stop working. I see this year (2003) Ford crown Victoria has a recall for the lighting control module but mines isn't listed when I put in my VIN number and I wanted to see if mines can be listed. Also I would like to know why wasn't it listed on the recall list because this is a safety issue and very dangerous.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2026
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2025
“When driving at night and early mornings my head lights and tail lights will randomly go out when my light switch is set to automatic. I can turn it on manually and then I have head lights and brakes but no running tail lights. Which is a major problem and safety hazard.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the contact smelled an abnormal coolant odor. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed there was corrosion and a crack near the intake and radiator hose. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the intake manifold needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2022
“My 2003 crown vic has a horrible time steering I've watched several videos that depicts exactly the same issue. You however do have a recall out for this make just starting at 2005. I find it hard to believe that I am the only one that's made a complaint. Pls get this fixed im 67 and with cancer my only way of getting around. Please contact me asap this is serious. Of course it on molly does this when in motion.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2020
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2020
“I bought the car a few months back. The headlights worked just fine at first, then started either not turning on or would shut off while going down the road. They will not turn back on by flipping the lights on there is nothing you can do. Only thing you can do it wait a few hours and hope they turn back on.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2020
“Dash lights and headlights on when driving down road on dark night, then dash lights went out - couldn't see speedometer or gear indicator. Then headlights went out, but dash lights came back on. This happened several times while driving the 25 miles home. Tried looking under the hood and making sure all connections were good, they seemed to be. In case something got wet in the rain I waited several days to try again, then tried it today - the same things happened on the street near my home.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2019
“Driving my vehicle home from work at night got pulled over because I have no tail lights . The lighting control module that was put in from the recall is bad and now ford says its not under warranty and I have to pay for it myself. Why even have a recall or issue a recall and fix something if you're not going to fix it if it's still messed up leaving consumers screwed”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2019
“Driving at night and the lights will cut off I have pull the bright light lever and hold it on so that the lights would stay on other wise I have no lights at all. If I start the car and the light switch is on auto only the parking lights will come on. Never had this problem before it just started about a month ago and some days the lights will come on and some days they will not”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 16 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
CERTAIN POLICE, COMMERCIAL, AND PASSENGER VEHICLES SOLD TO FLEETS TYPICALLY INPUT HIGHER LOADS INTO THE VEHICLE CHASSIS OVERLOADING THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND AXLES.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 INTERCEPTOR AND TAXIS BUILT FROM OCTOBER 1, 2002 THROUGH APRIL 29, 2003. THESE WHEELS ARE EXHIBITING CRACKS AT A SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER RATE THAN THOSE WHEELS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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 2003 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
NHTSA has 249 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Crown Victoria problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 102,753 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline: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.