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2003 Ford Crown Victoria Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 249 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria, most often about the lights (39% of complaints, typically around 116,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Crown Victoria model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2003 Ford Crown Victoria problems
Lights
96 complaints · 39%Half of these problems showed up before 116,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
Sudden headlight failure at night on freeway. Repeated intermittent headlight failures. This is a very dangerous and potentially fatal flaw in the lighting control module (lcm). After reviewing similar complaints online it seems that this part is defective and overheats causing failure. It is expensive to repair and…
I have had the headlights go out while driving on 3 occasions. If I pulled back on the flash to pass bright light lever, the lights would stay on as long as I held the lever back. Turning the light switch to auto to the left or always on to the right did not turn the lights back on. Stop the car shut it off and turn…
Wheels and tires
50 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 68,500 miles. Parts named most often: rim, sidewall.
2003 crown vic police interc. Police car had its tire rim replaced by Ford 9/2003, new rim dated 8/1/2003 was found to have a 12 inch crack on the circumference of the rim which caused the tire to deflate. Numbers on the rim were 16x7 j t dot k4 34 080103.
Left front wheel has slow leak. The tire was dismounted and had no punctures evident. The whell was inspected and a small crack was detected. The wheel was replaced. The cracked wheel was returned to Ford motor co., attn: deb usrum.
Suspension
27 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 82,500 miles. Parts named most often: rear, multiple axle.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. The differential on the vehicle is worn out. The rear bearings were worn and caused the axle to separate from the housing. While driving 45 MPH, the bearings began smoking and smelled like hot asphalt. Smoke also rose from the rear of the vehicle. The gear oil leaked out of…
Investigated rear end noise. Both axles have extreme ware . Bearing failure. And must be replaced. Ford recalled only police and commercial p70 p71 and p72 by order of NHTSA. Ford new all models experienced this failure as identified in tsb 030505a issued 3-5-03. My Ford cv a p74 model was made 11-05-02. Only a silent…
Transmission
25 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 68,500 miles. Parts named most often: axle assembly, driveline, automatic transmission.
Recall campaign 04v328000 concerning rear axle shaft fracture. A roaring noise would come from the rear of the vehicle when driving at any speed. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop, and mechanic determined that the rear wheel bearing, seals and the axle shafts needed to be replaced. He found this recall on all data…
Went to midland texas from bandera tx. Which was around 300 mi. Was having noise in left rear wheel upon inspection saw oil on wheel. It was on week end I had a reputable auto shop check it out and found both rear axles were worn real bad. Their was plenty of oil in differential. They had abulletin making them aware…
Electrical
20 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, alternator/generator/regulator.
2003 Crown Victoria, was using vehicle for commercial use during the night hours, when experienced intermittent low beams, closer examination found that the lcm lighting control module, located above brake pedal had heated up to a temperature from high resistance of soldered contact joints not supporting required…
On july 10 my wife and grand son were returning to our florida home from an amusement park about an hours ride when the head lights went out on my 03 Ford crown vic. She was able to pull over and after 30 minutes trying different ideas the light did come on and she was able to drive home fortunately with the lights…
Engine
13 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 123,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
2003 Ford Crown Victoria p71 upon starting the car, a spark plug was ejected from the engine. Necessitated repair of engine. This is the second cylinder to have this occur.
Spark plug blew out of cylinder #6 and ruined coil-on-plug along with it. I had to take it to a mechanic and they used a time-sert kit to rethread the cylinder spark plug wall and replaced all plugs with factory plugs. I replaced the spark plugs myself 6 months before the incident using aftermarket plugs and it ran…
Steering
11 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 131,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that upon inspection, it was found that the steering shaft was corroded. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to steer. The contact decided to place oil on the steering shaft and steering wheel. After a couple of months, the steering seized without warning. The contact was an independent mechanic who diagnosed that…
Speed control
11 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 13,500 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, accelerator pedal, cables.
While engaging in reverse the vehicle accelerated at 90 MPH. The tires were screeching and smoking. As a result, the vehicle collided into three other vehicle and a pedestrian. A child was injured. (pinned between the vehicle and his father's vehicle) the consumer stepped on the accelerator to back out of the parking…
Dt: ,2003 Ford, Crown Victoria. Consumer states that when she starts the vehicle it is fine, but as soon as she takes foot off of the accelerator the engine cuts off. This happened three times, and has taken the vehicle to the service department twice ,and they couldn't find anything wrong with the vehicle.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Ford Crown Victoria recalls
Lights: headlights
Risk: 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.
Full defect 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.
Electrical: interior/under dash
Risk: 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.
Full defect 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.
Suspension: rear
Risk: 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.
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.
Full defect summary
Certain police, commercial, and passenger vehicles sold to fleets typically input higher loads into the vehicle chassis overloading the wheel bearings and axles.
Fuel system: tank assembly
Risk: If the strength of the tank is significantly compromised, it could rupture, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
Full defect 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.
Wheels and tires: wheels
Risk: The cracks can ultimately result in rapid air loss from the tire and could affect vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 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.
Full defect 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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of headlights
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened an investigation concerning the loss of headlights in model year (my) 2003-2005 ford crown victoria and mercury grand marquis vehicles. The subject vehicles share the same architecture and major components.odi has received 636 unique reports (for all submission dates) related to the alleged defect, with owners describing a loss of both low and/or high beam headlights occurring while driving.odi identified 4 vehicle owner questionnaire ( voq) reports alleging minor crash or loss of control incidents due to headlight failures.drivers alleged running off of the road due to a lack of headlights and one driver reportedly struck a deer.no injuries w
Loss of headlamp/exterior lighting
Summary
In a letter dated october 2, 2014 the office of defects investigation (odi) was initially petitioned by the north carolina consumers council, inc. Requesting a defect investigation of an alleged defect condition resulting in headlight and/or exterior lighting failure on 2003-2005 ford crown victoria and mercury grand marquis vehicles.odi analyzed vehicle owner questionnaire (voq) complaints received from consumers and identified a total of 605 reports (for all submission dates) alleging headlight failure.the complaints indicate failures of both low beam headlights typically while driving, a defect condition that was evaluated under a prior odi investigation (pe08066).most consumer voqs indic
Loss of headlight function
Summary
The agency has closed this investigation based on its review of complaint reports, field and technical data provided by ford and complainant interviews. Ford found that some lighting control modules (lcm) in the subject vehicles contained defective solder joints on the printed circuit board.this condition can lead to poor headlight performance ranging from intermittent outage and dimming to eventual headlights failure.the failure does not affect other lighting functions (park, emergency flasher, brake and flash to pass lights).the agency is aware of a total of 306 consumers complaints and no report of crash, injury or fatality.ford reports 2,074 warranty claims related to headlight failure l
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
Summary
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehi
Fracture of the steel wheel rim
Summary
During a september 23, 2004 meeting and in subsequent discussions in november, ford advised the office of defects investigation (odi) of their plans to introduce an improved steel wheel for manufacturing and service component use on the subject vehicles, indicating this would occur in december 2004.the new wheel design incorporates an additional manufacturing process (shot peening) which lowers tensile stress in the surface layer of the rim material adjacent to the circumferential weld. Theoretically this should improve rim durability by reducing fatigue crack initiation sites.indications from ford?s accelerated testing methods show an improvement in the performance of the new wheel.in addit
Rear axle fracture
Summary
This pe was opened after odi became aware of two allegations concerning rear axle fracture and partial wheel separation involving my 2003 ford crown victoria police interceptors (cvpi).initially, the pe's scope involved all my 2003 grand marquis, crown victoria, and lincoln town cars (I.e., panther platform) produced through january 2003.while gathering information about this issue, it became evident that the failures were confined to long-wheelbase lincoln town cars and the cvpi's due to their unique weight distribution and usage profiles.ford's recall addresses these vehicles.both the company and odi are continuing to monitor the field performance of the axles and will take appropriate act
Fracture of the steel wheel rim
Summary
The subject wheel (new for my 2003) is used on crown victoria (cv) and grand marquis.complaint data indicates that wheel failure affects primarily the commercial specification cv model (police and taxi) which has unique design characteristics and is generally subjected to higher usage demands.during ford's analysis, it was determined that cyclic bending moment fatigue could cause rim cracks to occur in the heat affected zone adjacent to the circumferential weld.ford implemented changes in wheel manufacture in september 2002 and introduced a new wheel design with a thicker rim in april 2003.odi found evidence that indicated rapid crack propogation might have occurred in seven wheel failure in
Cng tank explosion
Summary
In september 2002, a fuel cylinder in a natural gas powered vehicle (ngv) exploded during a fire.ford and vrtc test engineers jointly examined the incident vehicle and reviewed testing to determine whether the performance of the pressure relief valve (prd) was proper.the purpose of a prd is to protect a compressed natural gas tank from overpressure by allowing the cng to vent when the temperature reaches a specific point.the prd was removed from the failed tank and subjected to a yield temperature determination test. It was concluded that a direct flame (from the interior of the vehicle) onto the cylinder (located behind the rear seat in the trunk)compromised the hoop strength of the natural
Cng tank exploding in a fire
Summary
An explosion of a compressed natural gas (cng) tank should not be able to occur, as the tank is fitted with a pressure relief device (prd). This prd should release the cng in the tank, prior to the pressure reaching the tank burst pressure.the prd did not release in the subject wisconsin police cruiser explosion.NHTSA has recovered the prd valve from the tank that exploded and testing will be necessary to establish why this tank safety valve did not release in the very high temperature fire that occurred in the police cruiser.there is only the single known event, but due to the catastropic force of such an explosion and the potential for injury and loss of life, this investigation is being u
Questions about the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: lights (96 complaints, typically around 116,000 miles); wheels and tires (50 complaints, typically around 68,500 miles); suspension (27 complaints, typically around 82,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 22, 2015 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Ford Crown Victoria?
- It is the most complained-about Crown Victoria model year since 2000, with 249 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.