MotorDeets

2004 Ford Crown Victoria: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria: 2 recalls, 138 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.

2vehicle recalls
138owner complaints
2mention a crash
18best combined mpg
2004 Ford Crown Victoria
Photo: Bcmwolverine · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

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.

1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
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, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Exterior lights81
Electrical23
Steering19
Wheels9
Engine & cooling8
Transmission & drivetrain5
Suspension4
Speed control / throttle4

What owners describe

The 2004 Ford Crown Victoria has 138 owner complaints, ranking #9 of 22 Crown Victoria model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 130). Complaints peaked in 2011 (19 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 92,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (249 complaints, 5 recalls), 2005 (193 complaints, 5 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
4.6 L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive152318Regular

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 2004 Ford Crown Victoria.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 2004 Ford Crown Victoria manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 2004 Ford Crown Victoria manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 2004 Ford Crown Victoria manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2004 Ford Crown Victoria manual

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FAQ

Does the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria, plus 1 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 2004 Ford Crown Victoria problems?

Owners have filed 138 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are exterior lights (81), electrical (23), steering (19).

What gas mileage does the 2004 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 2004 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.

Other Crown Victoria years

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