2008 Ford Crown Victoria: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 50 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (40% of complaints); the 2010 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Complete instrument cluster failure, no lights illuminate except turn signals. Speed, rpm's, fuel level, temperature, are completely off instrument cluster is completely dark when driving at night, told that the solders on the cluster are bad. (Defective?)”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2023
“The contact owns 2008 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to reverse while the transmission was shifted into reverse(R). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the linkage. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2023
“The contact owns a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH in a dark area with the high beam headlights activated, the headlights became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the low beam headlights were activated to continue driving. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The contact stated she replaced the headlights and the fuse but the failure continued. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 121,924.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The contact inspected the steering column underneath the hood and noticed that the steering shaft was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V385000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2022
“The right front wheel hub broke at the weld when turning in a parking lot. The part is available for inspection. Had this happened at freeway speed, the right front wheel would have departed the vehicle. The safety hazards are obvious. I attempted to contact customer service and they did not reply.There was no warning sign and the part has not been inspected. I am not a welder. It appears this part had a bad weld from the start. I suspect it was welded by a machine and there may be more just like it from the same production run.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2022
“I purchased this vehicle a week ago and I also downloaded car fax and it states my vehicle was due for a recall in 2014 but the previous owner next got it.”Owner report · Steering · May 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, the steering wheel independently turned 180 degrees. The contact regained control of the vehicle, and pulled over and parked the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware of a loosened steering shaft bushing. The vehicle was towed to the residence. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 166,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2020
“I was exiting the freeway and turned onto my street when my lower steering shaft collapsed and caused my upper bearing retaining clip to separate from the steering column causing me to lose all steering control.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2019
“Takata recall for some odd reason any little bump or in level ground I go over , the steering wheel response is horrible. Also my check gas cap light comes on and I changed the fuel pump twice & horrible fumes floats around inside my car cabin.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford crown victoria. While depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an auto service. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 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, A FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY MAY FRACTURE DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE THEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 22, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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 2008 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
NHTSA has 50 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria. The most complained-about area is steering (40% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Ford Crown Victoria problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 100,500 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria have open recalls?
3 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.