2003 Ford Crown Victoria: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria: 5 recalls, 249 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Wheels Vehicle recall #03V279000 · 2003 · 29,946 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The cracks can ultimately result in rapid air loss from the tire and could affect vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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…
Fuel system (other) Vehicle recall #03V472000 · 2003 · 4,218 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the strength of the tank is significantly compromised, it could rupture, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.
Suspension Vehicle recall #04V328000 · 2004 · 47,314 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain police, commercial, and passenger vehicles sold to fleets typically input higher loads into the vehicle chassis overloading the wheel bearings and axles.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #05V206000 · 2005 · 132,800 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If this occurs, the insulator might experience charring of the outer layer, burning odor, or smoke which May ultimately result in a fire.
The 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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #15V861000 · 2015 · 296,004 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles have a lighting control module (lcm) that May fail, resulting in a loss of headlights.
Why it matters: A loss of headlights can reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lcm, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2017.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Fuel system Recall #02I003000 · 2002 · 350,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Some high-speed rear-impact crashes have resulted in fuel tank punctures and fires in cvpi vehicles.
The fix: 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…
Fuel system Equipment recall #06E056000 · 2006 · 58,640 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Failure of this connection could lead to fuel spillage and, in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
The fix: Ufi will notify owners and replace the filters free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2006.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 6 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Exterior lights (96): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (18), warning light on (13), electrical failure (9).
- Wheels (42): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (15), noise or vibration (6).
- Suspension (27): the most common themes are noise or vibration (15).
- Transmission & drivetrain (25): the most common themes are noise or vibration (12), leaks (3).
The 2003 Ford Crown Victoria has 249 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 22 Crown Victoria model years for complaints (1.9× the average Crown Victoria year). Complaints peaked in 2003 (30 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 100,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (58 complaints, 2 recalls), 2004 (138 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 Ford Crown Victoria problems?
Owners have filed 249 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are exterior lights (96), wheels (42), suspension (27).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (4.6 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.