VehicleVerdict

2008 Ford Crown Victoria problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2008 Ford Crown Victoria sits mid-pack among Crown Victoria years: 64 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 70, with 3 recalls and 3 closed investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 6 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 25 reports (39% of the total).

64

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

6

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Crown Victoria years?

Crown Victoria NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted482 complaints1980: 2 complaints1981: 2 complaints1982: 4 complaints1983: 8 complaints1984: 8 complaints1985: 24 complaints1986: 35 complaints1987: 48 complaints1988: 49 complaints1989: 86 complaints1990: 58 complaints1991: 70 complaints1992: 482 complaints1993: 247 complaints1994: 252 complaints1995: 318 complaints1996: 358 complaints1997: 340 complaints1998: 138 complaints1999: 174 complaints2000: 103 complaints2001: 70 complaints2002: 71 complaints2003: 303 complaints2004: 175 complaints2005: 240 complaints2006: 65 complaints2007: 75 complaints2008: 64 complaints2009: 59 complaints2010: 14 complaints2011: 32 complaints
Crown Victoria NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Crown Victoria years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Ford Crown Victoria problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering2539%
Speed Control1117%
Suspension69%
Electrical System58%
Brakes35%
Transmission35%
Other23%
Engine23%
Fuel System23%
Body & Structure23%
Lighting12%
Airbags12%
Seat Belts12%

Does the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria have recalls?

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

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.

07V270000SuspensionJune 26, 2007 · 8,800 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY MAY FRACTURE DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT.

Consequence

IF A HUB FRACTURES, IT MAY POTENTIALLY DETACH FROM THE WHEEL KNUCKLE, RESULTING IN THE WHEEL BEING RETAINED ONLY BY THE BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT, THE WHEEL MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE THEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 22, 2007. 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.

“VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED TO THE LEFT CAUSING IT TO FLIP OVER AND DAMAGING TWO UTILITY POLES AND BRINGING DOWN POWER LINES. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 12, 2013 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO SERVICE. THE DEALER WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 27, 2018 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BEARINGS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHCLE, CAUSING THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V385000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · January 1, 2014

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE VISOR LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VISOR WAS CLOSED. AS A RESULT, THE VISOR MATERIAL WAS BURNED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VISOR HAD TO BE SLIGHTLY OPENED TO PREVENT FURTHER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 1, 2013 · fire

“UNMARKED POLICE CROWN VICTORIA SEDAN TRAVELING IN LEFT LANE OF 4-LANE, GRASS MEDIAN-SEPARATED HIGHWAY WITH POSTED SPEED LIMIT 55 MPH. POLICE OFFICER DRIVER DECEASED IN CRASH. WITNESSES REPORT: AFTER ENTERING HIGHWAY, VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO HIGH RATE OF SPEED; IN VICINITY POLICE MEDIAN TURNAROUND,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 6, 2011 · crash · fire

2008 Ford Crown Victoria — common questions

Is the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?

It is close to typical for the Crown Victoria: 64 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 3 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2008 Crown Victoria problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (25 complaints), speed control (11 complaints), suspension (6 complaints).

Does the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 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 2008 Ford Crown Victoria under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 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.