2003 Ford Cvpi: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 78 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is wheels (79% of complaints); the 2004 and 2005 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 78 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Headlights go off while driving. Lcm is bad, $500.00 for part. Very very dangerous situation. I was expecting to see a recall notice. This is the second lcm for me! *kb”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2011
“2003 crown victoria, headlights stop working while driving. It appears I need to replace the lighting control module (lcm). I see from internet searches that many many have had this same problem.this part is almost $600 from ford. It appears that ford has a safety issue here that they are avoiding. I'm surprised that no recall is in effect. At least ford should offer some goodwill support to their customers by lowering the price of this part.... *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2010
“The vehicle's headlights shut themselves off randomly while the headlights are in use. Intermittently, the lights will fail to turn on when the switch is turned on. These events have become increasingly frequent to the point that now the lights will fail several times on every night trip. Hitting a box called the "lighting control module" may encourage the lights to turn back on temporarily. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford crown victoria cvpi. While driving at 10 to 60 mph the headlights would shut off intermittently at night. There were no warning lights illuminating before the headlights failed. While driving the vehicle onto the emergency lane the lights would come back on for 5 to 10 minutes or not at all. The vehicle had to be towed to a repair facility. The dealer was contacted stating that he had to pay $418 to replace the lighting control module since there were no related recalls or warranties. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 280,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford crown victoria cvpi. While driving 10 to 60 mph the headlights would shut off intermittently at night. There were no warning lights illuminating before the headlights failed. As the vehicle was being driven onto the side of the road sometime the lights would come back on within 5 to 10 minutes. The vehicle was towed to a repair facility. The dealer stated that he had to pay $418 in order to replace the lighting control module since there were no recalls or related warranties. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 282,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2009
“Fuel tank leak dealer stated that a hole had "rubbed through" the tank and that the tank would need to be replaced. This had been on-going for some time. Since the tank is bolted in place, how does it rub against something enough to wear a hole in the tank. I believe this is a design and safety flaw. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2008
“While driving at night, the headlights went off. I was able to reach my destination by holding the high beam (flash to pass) actuator on. I discovered that ford is aware of a problem with the lighting control module. I had a mechanic replace the module at a cost of $698.22 ($558 for the part, $90 labor, and 50.22 tax). It seems to me that the lights going off while vehicle is in operation could pose a safety hazard! I will keep the old part. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2008
“From: bolivar police [mailto:bol_pd@hotmail.com] sent: tuesday, march 24, 2009 12:45 pm to: subject: 2003 cvpi lighting problems we have been having a problem with the headlights going out on our 2003 cvpi. The lights go out and then after a short time come back on. It is very sporadic. Our local mechanic has replaced the headlight switch but this did not solve the problem. I was wondering if any other agency has had this problem and if so, how it was corrected. Thanks ricky l. Whitney chief of police bolivar village pd lights are fixed, had to replace the lighting module. Thanks for the help. *tr rick whitney chief”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2008
“So I buy a cvpi police interceptor with over 117k miles of police duty use that has a safety recall 07s48 regarding the wheels and it cannot be performed because the vehicle is currently no longer in police duty use. I have worked at automotive dealerships for over fifteen years and never in my life heard of a safety recall on a vehicle that only applies to who is behind the wheel. *jb”Owner report · Wheels · Aug 2007
“Ford recall regarding crown victoria police cars because of cracks that can develop in police cruiser wheels. I'm a pa state constable (law enforcement officer) and upon purchasing a retired pa state police vehicle the wheels on my vehicle are cracking and ford motor co. Employee kevin employee #61151 advised there is nothing they can do at this time. *tr”Owner report · Wheels · Jul 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 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 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.
ON CERTAIN POLICE 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 BASED ON THE WHEEL PART NUMBER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2007. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-343-5338.
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 Cvpi 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 Cvpi reliable?
NHTSA has 78 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Ford Cvpi. The most complained-about area is wheels (79% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Cvpi problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 85,333 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Ford Cvpi have open recalls?
4 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.