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ProblemsByVin File / 2005-FORD-CROWN-VICTORIA
2005 · Ford

Ford Crown Victoria problems

3 safety recalls. 193 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.8 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

lighting
85 reports · avg $250
moderate
steering
36 reports · avg $700
severe
electrical
18 reports · avg $850
severe
powertrain
13 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
cruise control
8 reports · avg $600
severe
seatbelts
6 reports · avg $500
critical
airbags
5 reports · avg $1,100
severe
engine
5 reports · avg $3,100
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2005 Crown Victoria · brakes Crash
I BOUGHT FORD VICTORIA CROWN MODEL 2005 FROM AN INDIVIDUAL ON DEC. 2009. IT WAS POLICE CAR. AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR WITHIN A MONTHS TIME I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. I LOST CONTROL AND THE BRAKE DIDN'T WORK. IT DIDN'T STOP BY HITTING ONCE, IT WAS AMAZING HITTING BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN.…
12/21/2010 · NHTSA ODI #10371993.0
2005 Crown Victoria · powertrain
VEHICLE GOES OUT OF GEAR AFTER SOMEONE TURNS OFF FROM IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER, THE TRANSMISSION NEUTRALIZES AND THEN BANGS INTO GEAR, THIS IS AT LOW SPEEDS 10-30 MPH, THIS ALSO HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55-70 WHEN ACCELERATING/PASSING ANOTHER CAR. TRANSMISSION REPAIRMAN TOLD ME…
12/19/2012 · NHTSA ODI #10489310.0
2005 Crown Victoria · lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE HIGH BEAMS ALSO DID NOT FUNCTION. THE CONTACT HAD TO KEEP THE TURN SIGNAL ON TO SEE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LIGHT CONTROL…
12/17/2010 · NHTSA ODI #10371051.0
2005 Crown Victoria · lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY OVER A TWO MONTH PERIOD. IN ORDER TO VIEW THE ROADWAY, THE CONTACT WOULD UTILIZE THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF…
12/14/2011 · NHTSA ODI #10439974.0

Estimate your repair exposure

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Likely repair cost in next 24 months
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Active recalls showing 3 of 3

severe NHTSA 15V861000 22/12/2015

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

A loss of headlights can reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 05V518000 09/11/2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BATTERY CABLE INCLUDES A FUSIBLE LINK THAT MAY CONTACT AND SUBSEQUENTLY CHAFE ON A #2 CROSS MEMBER ATTACHING BOLT

THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN HEAT DAMAGE AND COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 05V206000 09/05/2005

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

IF THIS OCCURS, THE INSULATOR MIGHT EXPERIENCE CHARRING OF THE OUTER LAYER, BURNING ODOR, OR SMOKE WHICH MAY ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 193 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is lighting, with 85 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The seatbelts is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $500 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Ford Crown Victoria has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 193 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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