Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 85 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 34.0 times the median Cvpi year — the 2003 model ranks #1 of 14 Cvpi years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.
The trouble concentrates in one system: tires & wheels issues account for 80% of all reports (68 of 85), far ahead of lighting at 9.
85
NHTSA complaints
4
Recalls
2
Investigations
1
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tires & Wheels | 68 | 80% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 9 | 11% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 3 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 3 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Suspension | 1 | 1% | — flat |
4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
ON CERTAIN POLICE 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.
Consequence
THE CRACKS CAN ULTIMATELY RESULT IN RAPID AIR LOSS FROM THE TIRE AND COULD AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FOUR ROAD WHEELS AND SPARE WHEEL BASED ON THE WHEEL PART NUMBER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2007. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-343-5338.
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.
Defect
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.
Consequence
THE CRACKS CAN ULTIMATELY RESULT IN RAPID AIR LOSS FROM THE TIRE AND COULD AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
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.
Defect
IN ORDER TO ENHANCE POLICE OFFICE SAFETY, MODEL YEAR 1992-2003 CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR (CVPI) VEHICLES WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH SHIELDS DESIGNED TO HELP PROTECT THE FUEL TANK IN HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES. FORD ALSO WILL BE OFFERING AN OPTIONAL TRUNK PACKAGE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE SAFE TRANSPORT OF SHARP-EDGED, HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN THESE VEHICLES.
Consequence
SOME HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES HAVE RESULTED IN FUEL TANK PUNCTURES AND FIRES IN CVPI VEHICLES.
Remedy
FORD HAS ADVISED US THAT SHIELD KITS HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE LATE OCTOBER AND WILL BE INSTALLED ON POLICE INTERCEPTOR VEHICLES AT NO COST. THE OPTIONAL TRANK PACKAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF 2002. FORD HAS ESTABLISHED A NEW WEB SITE AT WWW.CVPI.COM TO ANSWER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAFE USE OF CPVI VEHICLES.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“THIS WAS A POLICE VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A PURSUIT. AT APPROXIMATELY 110 MPH, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL CRACKED, THE TIRE FLATTENED, THE OPERATOR LOST CONTROL AND CROSSED THE MEDIAN, THE OPPOSING LANES OF TRAFFIC AND IMPACTED THE GUIDE RAIL. TROOPER WAS TREATED AND RELEASED, VEHICLE DEMOLISHED. *LA”
“WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO REACH MY DESTINATION BY HOLDING THE HIGH BEAM (FLASH TO PASS) ACTUATOR ON. I DISCOVERED THAT FORD IS AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE. I HAD A MECHANIC REPLACE THE MODULE AT A COST OF $698.22 ($558 FOR THE PART, $90…”
“THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS SHUT THEMSELVES OFF RANDOMLY WHILE THE HEADLIGHTS ARE IN USE. INTERMITTENTLY, THE LIGHTS WILL FAIL TO TURN ON WHEN THE SWITCH IS TURNED ON. THESE EVENTS HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY FREQUENT TO THE POINT THAT NOW THE LIGHTS WILL FAIL SEVERAL TIMES ON EVERY NIGHT TRIP. HITTING A…”
“FUEL TANK LEAK DEALER STATED THAT A HOLE HAD "RUBBED THROUGH" THE TANK AND THAT THE TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS HAD BEEN ON-GOING FOR SOME TIME. SINCE THE TANK IS BOLTED IN PLACE, HOW DOES IT RUB AGAINST SOMETHING ENOUGH TO WEAR A HOLE IN THE TANK. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN AND SAFETY…”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CVPI. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A POLICE VEHICLE THREE WEEKS AGO AND FOUND A FEW OUTSANDING RECALLS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL DIFFERENT PARTS ON THE VEHICLE. HE CALLED THE FORD MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS HAD NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED.…”
NHTSA data argues against it: 85 complaints put the 2003 model at #1 of 14 Cvpi years. It is one of the Cvpi years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (68 complaints), lighting (9 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Ford Cvpi. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cvpi years to avoid are 2003. The cleanest record among Cvpi years belongs to 1993.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.