2004 Ford Crown Victoria: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 138 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is exterior lighting (49% of complaints); the 2002 and 2006 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 138 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The nead lights shut off while driving at night at 65 miles a hour stoped on the side of the hiway shut off the car played with the headlight switch the lights came back on but now they will not shut off so the battery must be diconected when not in use working on finding a repair shop t fix it”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2020
“2004 ford crown vic headlights stopped working. I ordered and replaced the headlight switch and my headlights still don't work. I can't drive at night anymore. I have contacted ford dealership about a recall and have not received a call back.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford crown victoria. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v861000 (exterior lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the headlights failed to illuminate properly without warning. The contact manually adjusted the light switch and the headlights operated as intended. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“What happened is that I got the VIN report online and asked about recalls, found 5 recalls, and went to the NHTSA and now you do not tell me if the recalls were made or the problems fixed. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford crown victoria. While driving at unknown speeds, the steering wheel became extremely stiff. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the steering shaft and steering linkage needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 83,000.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2018
“I was driving and all the sudden I start hearing this real loud noise coming from passenger rear and all my brake lights ABS lights and traction lights came on . Well I was told it was wheel seals come to gind out there is a bit grove out of shaft wherr bearing rides. And shaft is very week”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that the electrical system indicator illuminated. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 15v861000 (exterior lighting) at country ford (888) 867-3993 (95 goodman rd e, southaven, ms 38671), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the electrical system indicator illuminated after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 227,201.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2018
“The lighting control module failed one night. The passenger headlight went dim and my signals wouldn't work on that side. Eventually the entire thing failed and there was no audible clicking from the module.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2018
“My car was recalled for a faulty lighting control module and was repaired in june 2014 because the headlights failed. Today the lights experienced the exact same failure. Ford is refusing to repair it unless we pay full price for diagnostics, parts and service. I have found that another recall was issued for the same part in april of '17 but my car is not included in the recall. Recall #15s39. I can't understand why this recall repair would only last 3 years unless something was faulty in the repair parts or installation of the part. Please can someone help me?”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford crown victoria. While driving 30 mph, the lighting control module completely failed without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v861000 (exterior lighting), but the remedy was not available. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 200,000. *tr*jb”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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 2004 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
NHTSA has 138 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting (49% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Ford Crown Victoria problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 92,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash. 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.