CarModelProblems.com

2003 Ford Crown Victoria Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Exterior Lighting — runs 6.3× the fleet median for that category across the 719 model-years tracked on this site.
249Complaints
7Recalls
16Crashes
4Fires
6Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Exterior Lighting (34.1% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Exterior Lighting complaints here are 6.3× the median for that category across the 719 model-years tracked on this site.

All 6 of the most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Exterior Lighting85 · 34.1%RecalledRecall 15V861000
Wheels24 · 9.6%RecalledRecall 03V279000
Wheels:rim18 · 7.2%RecalledRecall 03V279000
Electrical System17 · 6.8%RecalledRecall 05V206000
Suspension:rear14 · 5.6%RecalledRecall 04V328000
Suspension12 · 4.8%RecalledRecall 04V328000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

WHEELS24 · 9.6%
WHEELS:RIM18 · 7.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM17 · 6.8%
SUSPENSION:REAR14 · 5.6%
SUSPENSION12 · 4.8%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS11 · 4.4%
STEERING10 · 4%
POWER TRAIN9 · 3.6%
TIRES8 · 3.2%

Percentages are the share of the 249 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 7 campaigns

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 15V861000 · 2015 · reported 12/22/2015

A loss of headlights can reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline

NHTSA campaign 06E056000 · 2006 · reported 06/13/2006

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

NHTSA campaign 05V206000 · 2005 · reported 05/09/2005

IF THIS OCCURS, THE INSULATOR MIGHT EXPERIENCE CHARRING OF THE OUTER LAYER, BURNING ODOR, OR SMOKE WHICH MAY ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Wheels

NHTSA campaign 03V279000 · 2003 · reported 08/05/2003

THE CRACKS CAN ULTIMATELY RESULT IN RAPID AIR LOSS FROM THE TIRE AND COULD AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

NHTSA campaign 02I003000 · 2002 · reported 10/15/2002

SOME HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES HAVE RESULTED IN FUEL TANK PUNCTURES AND FIRES IN CVPI VEHICLES. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly

NHTSA campaign 03V472000 · 2003 · reported 11/06/2003

IF THE STRENGTH OF THE TANK IS SIGNIFICANTLY COMPROMISED, IT COULD RUPTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:rear

NHTSA campaign 04V328000 · 2004 · reported 07/07/2004

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE (LCM) FAILURE EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED BY OTHERS REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LCM HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE SECOND ONE FAILED…”NHTSA complaint 10350685 — filed 08/19/2010 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
“LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS.”NHTSA complaint 10330324 — filed 05/13/2010 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
“HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. MAIN LIGHT SWITCH DOES NOT HAVE AFFECT. ALL OTHER LIGHTS…”NHTSA complaint 10316878 — filed 03/04/2010 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

1220111820201316142015201620178102019412021112024512026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria?

Exterior lighting issues are the most-reported category, cited in 85 of 249 NHTSA complaints (34.1%), followed by wheels (24), wheels:rim (18), electrical system (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria have?

249 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 16 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 6 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria have any recalls?

Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15V861000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria's reported problems?

6 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.