2005 Ford Crown Victoria: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 193 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is exterior lighting (48% of complaints); the 2006 and 2007 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 193 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that the headlights had become intermittently inoperable while driving at night. The contact personally replaced the fuses and undisclosed parts, per the information found online; however, the failure persisted. The odometer was inoperable. The dealer was contacted and informed that the vehicle had been previously repaired for the failure. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed, but assistance was denied. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2026
“Safety Recall 19S35b Processor Lighting cont was done on 3/22/2021on my working part. The original module was working fine. Now the new light module is faulty. Dealership took out part and tested it. Determined that is was faulty causing my lights to fail. Dealership and Ford has denied covering a replacement of the failed part. It would seem that the part should be still covered since it is a part that was part of a recall.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2022
“The contact owns a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front headlights became inoperable creating a visibility hazard for the driver. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and informed that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure might not be related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V861000 (Exterior Lighting). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“Power steering went out when I was driving and barely avoided a collision. Light went out another time when I was driving.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2022
“The contact owns a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the exterior lights became inoperable. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed that the Lighting Control Module (LCM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign number 15V861000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2021
“Safety recall for the LCM was repaired by lameroux Ford in Brookfield but the bypass was not preformed and the lcm is still acting up. Called and they want to charge me to look at the work they failed to do properly. Brought it to another mechanic who verified the LCM was not bypassed.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2021
“While driving my headlights go completely off. The only thing that works are the park lights. I pull back on turn signal to engage the high beams. This is the only way I can see. When using high beams other drivers are flicking their lights at me but there is nothing I can do about it. I'm scared I'm going to wreck. I don't get off work until it's dark & I'm afraid I'm going to wreck. It happens with the lights on automatic or regular. It happens everytime I drive at night. It's getting worse every night.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford crown victoria. While driving at any speed, the headlights went out without warning. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to ramey ford princeton (304-425-2128, located at 498 courthouse rd, princeton, wv 24740) where it was diagnosed that the light control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2019
“When your on the highway sometimes it feels like the steering wheel floats away and like you already have lost steering controls but they come back. I have a sheet from when I got the recall for the headlights, that said 13r01 for the steering column shaft. I haven't gotten that fixed or remedied so I'm confused as to why it says the work order isn't outstanding. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2019
“Seatbelt latch will not connect and the gong that reminds me to fasten it keeps going off as I drive very distracting and unsafe! First noticed it in the morning while starting it to drive it to work.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
Remedy: Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BATTERY CABLE INCLUDES A FUSIBLE LINK THAT MAY CONTACT AND SUBSEQUENTLY CHAFE ON A #2 CROSS MEMBER ATTACHING BOLT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUSIBLE LINK AND POSITION IT AWAY FROM THE CROSS MEMBER BOLT. IF THE FUSIBLE LINK HAS ALREADY CHAFED AND COPPER WIRES HAVE BEEN EXPOSED, THE FUSIBLE LINK WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673, OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.
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.
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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have occurred as a result of lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.
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 2005 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
NHTSA has 193 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting (48% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Ford Crown Victoria problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,192 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:rack and pinion:pinion shaft. 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.