Recalls
6campaigns
2 wheel · 1 lighting · 1 electrical
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
327filed
Owner reports, 1999–2008 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Fuel economy
18mpg combined
$3,628/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
4.6 L 8-cyl· 4-speed automatic
3 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (6)
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. Not checked against your VIN.
Loss of Headlights
Exterior lighting · headlights
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- A loss of headlights can reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
- 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.
40.3% repairedof 296,004 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V861000
Listed for 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. Not checked against your VIN.
STEEL WHEELS
Wheels
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- THE CRACKS CAN ULTIMATELY RESULT IN RAPID AIR LOSS FROM THE TIRE AND COULD AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported109,664 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 07V079000
Listed for 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. Not checked against your VIN.
DASH OUTER SOUND INSULATOR
Electrical system · wiring · interior/under dash
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- IF THIS OCCURS, THE INSULATOR MIGHT EXPERIENCE CHARRING OF THE OUTER LAYER, BURNING ODOR, OR SMOKE WHICH MAY ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A FIRE.
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported132,800 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 05V206000
Listed for 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. Not checked against your VIN.
FORD/REAR AXLE SHAFT FRACTURE
Suspension · rear
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- CERTAIN POLICE, COMMERCIAL, AND PASSENGER VEHICLES SOLD TO FLEETS TYPICALLY INPUT HIGHER LOADS INTO THE VEHICLE CHASSIS OVERLOADING THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND AXLES.
- Consequence
- THIS COULD LEAD TO EARLY BEARING FAILURE AND ULTIMATELY TO AXLE SHAFT FRACTURE. IN THE EVENT OF AXLE SHAFT FRACTURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE DRIVE FUNCTION AND WOULD COAST TO A STOP. LOSS OF DRIVE FUNCTION COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, SEALS,AND AXLE SHAFTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Repair progress not yet reported47,314 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 04V328000
Listed for 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. Not checked against your VIN.
FORD/NATURAL GAS FUEL TANK
Fuel system, other · storage · tank assembly
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN NATURAL GAS VEHICLES, IF A FLAME FROM A VEHICLE INTERIOR FIRE BECOMES LOCALLY DIRECTED AT THE NATURAL GAS FUEL TANK LOCATED IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE REAR SEAT, THE FLAME COULD DAMAGE THE FIBERGLASS WRAP ON THE TANK WEAKENING THE TANK.
- Consequence
- IF THE STRENGTH OF THE TANK IS SIGNIFICANTLY COMPROMISED, IT COULD RUPTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN INSULATOR BEHIND THE CURRENT SEAT BACK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Repair progress not yet reported4,218 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 03V472000
Listed for 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. Not checked against your VIN.
STEEL WHEELS
Wheels
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- THE CRACKS CAN ULTIMATELY RESULT IN RAPID AIR LOSS FROM THE TIRE AND COULD AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported29,946 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 03V279000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (327)
327 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The wheels is mentioned most often.
17involved a crash
4involved a fire
7injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 327 |
|---|---|---|
| Wheels | 105 | 32.1% |
| Exterior lighting | 104 | 31.8% |
| Suspension | 28 | 8.6% |
| Power train | 25 | 7.6% |
| Electrical system | 23 | 7% |
| Tires | 14 | 4.3% |
| Steering | 12 | 3.7% |
| Fuel system | 11 | 3.4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 3.4% |
| Service brakes | 8 | 2.4% |
How 2003 compares with other Crown Victoria years
Best and worst Crown Victoria years →1999138
200089
200154
200260
2003327
2004155
2005213
200653
200750
200850
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 138 | 5 |
| 2000 | 89 | 7 |
| 2001 | 54 | 4 |
| 2002 | 60 | 2 |
| 2003 | 327 | 6 |
| 2004 | 155 | 3 |
| 2005 | 213 | 6 |
| 2006 | 53 | 2 |
| 2007 | 50 | 4 |
| 2008 | 50 | 3 |
This year (2003)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 18 mpg combined
18
mpg combined
16
city
23
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,700
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 494 g/mi
- EPA class
- Large Cars
What it costs you to run
$3,628per year
$302per month
833gallons a year
Miles ÷ 18 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 17 / 14 | $3,300 | 502 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2003 Crown Victoria for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2003 Ford Crown Victoria FAQ
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria have?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns: 15V861000 (lighting), 07V079000 (wheel), 05V206000 (electrical), 04V328000 (suspension), 03V472000 (fuel system), 03V279000 (wheel). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2003 Ford Crown Victoria problems?
Owners filed 327 complaints with NHTSA. Wheels (105), Exterior lighting (104), Suspension (28) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria get?
EPA rates the 4.6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 16 city, 23 highway and 18 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2003 Crown Victoria compare with other years?
Among the 1999–2008 Ford Crown Victoria model years at least five years old, the 2007 drew the fewest complaints (50) and the 2003 the most (327). The 2003 drew 327. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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