VehicleVerdict

2005 Ford Crown Victoria problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 240 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.4 times the median Crown Victoria year — the 2005 model ranks #8 of 32 Crown Victoria years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 12 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: lighting issues account for 42% of all reports (101 of 240), far ahead of steering at 37.

240

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

7

Investigations

17

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

12

Injuries

2

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Crown Victoria years?

See all Crown Victoria years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Ford Crown Victoria problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting10142%
Steering3715%
Electrical System229%
Transmission146%
Speed Control115%
Engine115%
Seat Belts73%
Fuel System73%
Airbags63%
Suspension63%
Visibility & Wipers52%
Brakes52%
Tires & Wheels42%
Body & Structure42%

Does the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V861000LightingDecember 22, 2015 · 296,004 units

Defect

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.

14V704000SteeringNovember 5, 2014 · 36,888 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermediate shaft was serviced during the course of safety recall 13V-385. The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.

Consequence

Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.

13V385000SteeringAugust 29, 2013 · 355,000 units

Defect

Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate.

Consequence

If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have occurred as a result of lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.

06E056000Fuel SystemJune 13, 2006 · 58,640 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

05V518000Electrical SystemNovember 9, 2005 · 98,836 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BATTERY CABLE INCLUDES A FUSIBLE LINK THAT MAY CONTACT AND SUBSEQUENTLY CHAFE ON A #2 CROSS MEMBER ATTACHING BOLT.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN HEAT DAMAGE AND COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUSIBLE LINK AND POSITION IT AWAY FROM THE CROSS MEMBER BOLT. IF THE FUSIBLE LINK HAS ALREADY CHAFED AND COPPER WIRES HAVE BEEN EXPOSED, THE FUSIBLE LINK WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673, OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.

05V206000Electrical SystemMay 9, 2005 · 132,800 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY BEGAN TO SMELL A BURNING ODOR. SHORTLY AFTER, THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 20, 2011 · crash

ON 10/06/2015 THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION WAS TRAVELLING AT 65-70MPH IN THE LEFT HAND LANE OF A HIGHWAY GOING STRAIGHT AHEAD WHEN OPERATOR LOST COMPLETE STEERING DUE TO THE STEERING SHAFT BECOMING DISCONNECTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN RESULTING IN SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 6, 2015 · crash

I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT AND A CAR HIT ME IN THE REAR. THE OTHER DRIVER SAID HE DIDN'T SEE ME SINCE I DID NOT HAVE MY LIGHTS ON. I SHOWED HIM THAT THEY WERE ON BUT YET THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT. WHEN I HAD A SHOP CHECK FOR THE PROBLEM, THEY SAID THE FUSES, BULBS AND RELAYS WERE FINE. THEY SAID THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 6, 2014 · crash

I BOUGHT FORD VICTORIA CROWN MODEL 2005 FROM AN INDIVIDUAL ON DEC. 2009. IT WAS POLICE CAR. AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR WITHIN A MONTHS TIME I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. I LOST CONTROL AND THE BRAKE DIDN'T WORK. IT DIDN'T STOP BY HITTING ONCE, IT WAS AMAZING HITTING BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN. MY CAR OR EVEN THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 19, 2010 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 5-10 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 17, 2014 · crash

2005 Ford Crown Victoria — common questions

Is the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 240 complaints put the 2005 model at #8 of 32 Crown Victoria years. It is one of the Crown Victoria years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Crown Victoria problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (101 complaints), steering (37 complaints), electrical system (22 complaints).

Does the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 7 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Crown Victoria years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Crown Victoria years to avoid are 1992, 1996, 1997, 1995, 2003, 1994, 1993, 2005, 2004, 1999, 1998. The cleanest record among Crown Victoria years belongs to 1981.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.