2003 Ford Crown Victoria complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKES LOCKED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE TO AVOID AN ONCOMING VEHICLE, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. HE CRASHED INTO A FENCE AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. HE DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY MAJOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A CRACKED RIM IN THE BACK OF HIS TRUNK. THE DEALER INITIALLY STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V079000 (WHEELS). FOUR RIMS WERE ORDERED AND, WHEN THEY ARRIVED, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT AN ACTIVE POLICE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,580. UPDATED 11-25-08 *BF UPDATED 11/25/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE STEEL WHEEL WELD IS COMING APART AND THE TIRES ARE LEAKING. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE WELD COULD SPLIT. WHEN HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL, HE WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER AN OPERATING POLICE VEHICLE, THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V279000 (WHEELS). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 105,000.

AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT - HIGHWAY - HIT CENTER CONCRETE WALL MULTIPLE TIMES - BOTH FRONT AND BACK OF AUTOMOBILE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-70 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL OF HIS VEHICLE. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V279000 (WHEELS), WHICH WAS SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE HE WAS EXPERIENCING. THE DEALER STATED THAT BECAUSE HIS VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER A FLEET VEHICLE, BUT A POLICE INTERCEPTOR, THE REPAIR COULD NOT BE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONSULTED AND THEY AGREED WITH THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000.

THE HEADLIGHT RELAY ON THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE (LCM) PART NUMBER NEC-EQ1-11111S OVERHEATS AND FAILS SUDDENLY, SHUTTING OFF HEADLIGHTS WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. THIS IS AN APPARENT PROBLEM ON 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA PASSENGER AND POLICE INTERCEPTOR MODELS. THIS HAPPENED TO ME. RESEARCHING ON INTERNET, APPARENTLY IT IS A COMMON FAILURE THAT GEARHEADS ARE ADVISED TO "MODIFY" THEIR 2003 AS SOON AS THEY GET IT BY REPLACING THIS RELAY ON THE LCM (IF THEY KNOW HOW TO SOLDER.) APPARENTLY, IT IS A 10A RELAY, WITH 8+AMPS GOING THROUGH IT AND IT OVERHEATS AND FRIES THE RELAY. DON'T KNOW IF THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION ENOUGH TO CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE OR FIRE. IT IS APPARENTLY AN $600-$800 FIX AT THE DEALER IF YOU AREN'T' A GEARHEAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE LCM (ALTHOUGH IF APPARENTLY REPLACED WITH THE SAME RELAY - SAME PROBLEM WILL DEVELOP). THE FACT THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BOTH GO OUT SUDDENLY IS DANGEROUS. TO DRIVE I HAD TO PULL BACK ON THE BRIGHT LIGHTS HANDLE ON THE STEERING COLUMN TO SEE, AND THIS RESULTED IN A TICKET FROM POLICE, BUT IT WAS THIS OR NOTHING TO GET HOME. CAR NOW IN DRIVEWAY. REPLACED THE SWITCH IN STEERING COLUMN FIRST, BUT THIS DIDN'T SOLVE PROBLEM. FOUND OUT I HAVE TO LEARN TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SOLDER OR SHELL OUT BIG $$$ TO FIX. *TR

2003 FORD P71 INTERCEPTOR: RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING AND AXEL SHAFT PROBLEM. RUMBLE REPORTED TO FORD. THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED ON RECALL WHEN OWNED BY SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPT. BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. MY MECHANIC FOUND A BROKEN BEARING AND WORN AXEL SHAFT. BOTH ON RECALL. CAR ONLY HAS 68,000 MILES. FORD SAYS THEY FIXED IT ONCE SO TOO BAD. I SAID YOU DID NOT FIX IT RIGHT AND PUT BAD PARTS IN AGAIN BECAUSE IT FAILED IN 30K MILES. THEY SAID TOO BAD. REPLACING A DEFECTIVE PART WITH A DEFECTIVE PART IS '!@#$%. PLEASE GET THESE '!@#$%. *TR

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. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A RUMBLING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AXLE BEARING WAS REPLACED. A YEAR AND A HALF LATER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE THE RUMBLING SOUND AGAIN AND IT WAS RETURNED TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC. THE DRIVER SIDE BEARING WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,071. UPDATED 05/05/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED REQUEST REYNOLDS FORD DEALER TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS AND REFUND $500 EXPENSES PAID FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART. UPDATED 05/05/08 *TR

1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA WITH SPEED CONTROL RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE RECEIVED A LETTER IN FEBRUARY SAYING PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. WHEN HE CALLED THE DEALER THEY HAD NOT HEARD THAT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *KB

THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE HORN AS WELL AS FOR INSIDE DASHBOARD AND DOME LIGHTS WAS DEFECTIVE UPON PURCHASE WHEN NEW. THE DASHBOARD AND DOME LIGHTING WAS CORRECTED BY THE DEALER ON THE FIRST TRY WITH NO MORE PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, THE HORN WIRING, ETC. WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES AND I HAVE PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR TWO MORE REPAIRS. THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. THE HORN STARTS BLOWING SPONTANEOUSLY WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE CAR IS SITTING AND STOPPED AND ALSO WHEN RUNNING. IT BLOWS CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL GETTING UNDER THE HOOD AND DISCONNECTING THE WIRING. *TR

WHILE DRIVING CAR HOME AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS QUIT. LIGHTS CAME BACK ON AFTER CAR WAS STOPPED FOR 10 MINUTES. CAR WAS DRIVEN AGAIN A COUPLE OF TIMES AND HEADLIGHTS FAILED AGAIN. LIGHTS COME BACK ON AFTER 5-10 MINUTES. NO LONGER DRIVE CAR AT NIGHT DUE TO CONCERN FOR SAFETY. *TR

FAILURE OF WELD POINT ON WHEEL RIMS CAUSING RAPID AIR LOSS IN TIRES, A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. PROBLEM BEGIN WHEN I FOUND TIRE GONE FLAT AFTER DRIVING FROM MILFORD OH, TO MIDDLETOWN OH. TIRE WAS FINE BEFORE I LEFT MILFORD. TIRE HELD AIR FOR ONLY A FEW HOURS AND MY SPARE HAD A CUT IN THE SIDE WALL FROM A TOOL IN THE TRUNK, SO I PUT AIR IN AND TOOK IT BACK HOME. TOOK IT TO THE MILFORD WALMART TIRE AND LUBE CENTER, THEY DISCOVERED THE AIR LEAK AT THE WELD POINT. TOLD THEM TO PUT THE RIM FROM THE SPARE ON... SAME PROBLEM AT THE SAME WELD POINT. LOOKED UP ONLINE AN FOUND THERE IS A RECALL. WENT TO FORD DEALERSHIP GARAGE AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS A RECALL BUT ONLY IF IT IS STILL A POLICE OR FLEET VEHICLE. CALLED CORPORATE CUSTOMER LINE AND WAS TOLD SAME THING AND IT WAS ONLY A DANGER FOR "EXTREME DRIVING" AND THEY COULD NOT REPLACE FOR A CIVILIAN. BOTH RIMS HAVE SPENT TIME ON THE CAR AND I DRIVE IT NORMALLY AND YET TWO FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. I FIND IT SHOCKING THAT A KNOWN DEFECT IS ONLY TO BE REPLACED FOR GOVT AND FLEET BUT NOT CIVILIANS WHO COULD BE IN THE SAME DANGER OF A TIRE FAILURE ON THE HIGHWAY. DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER CUSTOMER AT THE FORD GARAGE HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON HIS USED CROWN VIC (AND WAS ALSO REFUSED SERVICE) AND HE SUGGESTED I MAKE A COMPLAINT HERE.*CN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH OR GREATER, THE CONTACT HEARD A RUMBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AS OF NOVEMBER 20, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL BEARING CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE REAR AXLE, BEARINGS, AND OIL SEAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION: REAR). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,289. UPDATED 12/07/07

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A ROARING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SEAL AND BEARING FAILED AND BOTH AXLES WERE FRACTURED. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $732. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER 04S16, THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96,840. UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB UPDATED 01/11/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AFTER DRIVING 14 MILES, THE KEY WOULD BECOME VERY HOT WHICH WAS NOTICED WHEN IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE ELECTRICAL WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN PROPERLY AS THEY SHOULD AND ACTIVATE EITHER VERY SLOWLY OR VERY QUICKLY. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD NOT GO BACK AND FORTH AS IT SHOULD AND EITHER MOVES VERY SLOWLY OR NOT AT ALL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL FAILURE WITH THE WINDOWS AND THE SEAT. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AND MUST BE HELD IN ORDER FOR IT TO ACTIVATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE 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 THE BEARINGS AND ONTO THE BRAKES. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT PERMISSION WAS NEEDED FROM THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. AFTERWARDS, THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE UNDER RECALL NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE DIFFERENTIAL FAILED SIX MONTHS LATER AND THE DEALER CURRENTLY REFUSES TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE UNLESS THE CONTACT PAYS FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,344.

NOISE IN REAR OF CAR. WHEN I LOOKED AT RIGHT REAR WHEEL I SAW OIL. I THEN TOOK IT TO THE CLOSES AUTO REPAIR SHOP IN MIDLAND TEXAS WHICH WAS ALLEN S AUTO REPAIR. THEY TORE THE REAR END DOWN AND FOUND THAT BOTH REAR AXLES WERE WORN CONSIDERABLY THEY ALSO TOLD ME THERE WAS PLENTY OF OIL STILL IN THE REAR END. THEY ALSO SHOWED ME A BULLETIN THAT FORD MOTOR CO. PUT OUT ON THIS PROBLEM, SO APPARENTLY THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS IN THE PAST. WHEN I GOT HOME IN BANDER TEXAS AFTER GETTING THE REPAIRS THAT COST ME $677.00 TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE TOLD ME THAT THEY HA D THE SAME PROBLEM ONE EVEN LOST A WHEEL. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 70,000 MILES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAD JUST DELIVERED 5 GRAND CHILDREN TO THE AIR PORT. THIS COULD HAVE LOCKED UP OR RAN A WHEEL OFF. THE AXLES WERE WORN DOWN QUITE A BIT. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2007, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V079000 (WHEELS) PERFORMED. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR COULD NOT BE MADE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER AN ACTIVE POLICE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS INFORMATION WAS NOT MENTIONED IN THE SAFETY RECALL. HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WANTS THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,300.

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 OF THE PROBLEM SO FORD KNEW THEIR IS A PROBLEM. SINCE I HAVE HAD TWO MORE PEOPLE IN BANDERA TX. THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ONE HAD A WHEEL COME OFF. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING AND KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE. HE STATED THAT THE BEARINGS PUNCTURED THE AXLE SHAFT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BEARINGS AND AXLE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 82,000.

I HAVE A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA WITH A 4.6L V8 AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IN THE LAST 44,000 MILES I HAVE HAD TWO REAR AXLE FAILURES THAT NECESSITATED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AXLE SHAFTS, SEALS ETC. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS AT 57,902 MI AND WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND AT 102,753MI - 44,851 MILES. I HAVE FOUND THAT FORD DOES HAVE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES BUT WILL NOT COVER MY VEHICLE AS IT IS NOT A TAXI/POLICE/FLEET VEHICLE. I AM NEARLY 60, DRIVE MOSTLY FREEWAY AND COUNTRY ROADS, DO NOT RACE ANYONE, DO NOT TOW ANYTHING AND WORK TO GET THE BEST GAS MILEAGE I CAN FROM MY CAR. I DRIVE IT GENTLY. I HAVE HAD THE REAR AXLE SERVICED PER THE SCHEDULE AND IT WAS ONLY ABOUT 3,000 MILES AFTER MY LAST AXLE SERVICE THAT THIS NEW FAILURE OCCURRED. I SAW FLUID ALL OVER THE WHEEL WELL AND UPON REMOVING THE TIRE SAW FLUID COMING OUT OF THE HUB AREA. THINKING IT WAS AN EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE TOOK IT TO A CERTIFIED SHOP AND FOUND OUT IT WAS THE AXLE SEALS GOING AND THE AXLE SHAFT DETERIORATING. THIS WAS A $458.31 REPAIR THAT I FEEL SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN NECESSARY. MY AXLE HAS FAILED AT 57KMI AND 44KMN LATER. I HAVE READ ON THE WEB OF NUMEROUS INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE HAD REAR AXLES GO AND THAT SOME OF THESE CAUSED ACCIDENTS. I WAS LUCKY BOTH TIMES BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON CARS FOR OVER 40 YEARS AS A HOBBY AND WATCH MY CARS CAREFULLY. I FEEL FORDS POSITION OF USING ONLY VIN NUMBERS, RATHER THAT INCIDENTS, IS A DANGER TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

THE SUFFOLK COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEM CONCERNING WHEEL RIMS ON THE 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA WHICH WERE OUTSIDE FORD SAFETY RECALL #03S05. WHILE INSPECTING RIMS DETAILED IN THIS RECALL, THIS DEPARTMENT FOUND CRACKS IN RIMS WHICH HAD NOT BEEN LISTED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN AS BEING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT AGENCIES UTILIZING CROWN VICTORIAS EQUIPPED WITH WHEEL RIMS HAVING 7 VENT HOLES CONSIDER EXPANDING THE INSPECTION OF SAID RIMS. RIMS THAT HAVE REPETITIVE SLOW LEAKS COUND BE INDICATIVE OF A RIM OR WELD CRACK AND SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE FOR A PROPER INSPECTION OF THE WELDS.

TL*-THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HIS 2003 CROWN VICTORIA AT A SPEED OF 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SOUNDED OF METAL GRINDING AGAINST METAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND A FEW SECONDS LATER THE VEHICLE STARTED MOVING AGAIN. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED, HE TOOK HIS FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD START GOING AT A LOW SPEED AND WOULD ACCELERATE TO 55 MPH. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000 MILES.

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2003 CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR HAD A RECALL 04V328000 THAT WAS REPAIRED 08/24/04 FOR THE REAR SUSPENSION. HE STATED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH ON THE PARKWAY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT REGAIN SPEED AND HE COASTED DOWN THE HILL TO THE AUTO DEALERSHIP. HE HEARD A SCREECHING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE. ON THAT DAY HE WAS TAKING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS REPAIRED, AND THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL 02/27/07. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON A CLEAR DAY THE VEHICLE MADE A SCREECHING NOISE FROM THE REAR AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. HE SMELLED SMOKE, AND NOTICED A HUGE CLOUD OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN THE EXPRESS LANE AND COULDN'T MOVE IT. HE STATED THAT HE JUMPED OUT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICE THE TIRE WAS POINTED AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. THE CONTACT PLACE THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IN PARK AND THE VEHICLE ROLL BACKWARDS, HE STATED THAT HE GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP BY PUTTING SOME ROAD DEBRIS BEHIND THE WHEEL AND TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO GET THE WHEEL TO CHANGE ANGELS. HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE BROKE, AND THE BRAKED LINE RUPTURED. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED HIM THAT THE BRAKE LINE RUPTURE WAS WHAT CAUSED THE SMOKE.

I HAVE A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA THAT HAS STARTED TURNING ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THE LIGHTS. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR HAS REACHED OPERATING TEMPS. I HAVE ALSO NOTED DASH LIGHTS AND OTHER AUTOMATIC FEATURES SELF ACTIVATING. AGAIN THIS ONLY WHEN THE CAR IS HOT (NOT WHEN FIRST STARTED).THE DEALERS HAVE BEEN NO HELP AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM (I THINK IT MAYBE RELATED TO THE OVERHEATING PROBLEM FORD IS HAVING IN POLICE CARS AND TAXI CABS, BUT WILL NOT ADMIT IT). *NM

I OWN A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. IT CAME WITH 4 EAGLE LS TIRES. THE ORIGINAL TIRES ARE OVER 27 K MILES, BUT THE NEW ONES I BOUGHT AND PLACED ON THE FRONT SIDE, HAVE WORN FROM THE INSIDE. THESE NEW TIRES SIMPLY WORN AND PULVERIZED INSIDE AND BLOW. SO FAR I HAVE BOUGHT 3 TIRES AND THE 3 HAVE BLOW ON THE SIDEWALL. I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE'S ANY RECALL FOR THIS TIRES THAT ARE ONLY 3,414 MILES OLD. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL AREA. THE SOUND BEGAN AT 30 MPH AND CONTINUED UP TO 65 MPH. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V328000, REGARDING THE SUSPENSION: REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK UPDATED 9/1/2006 - SEARS REPALCED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS POSSIBLE SPIDER GEAR OR CARRIER BEARING FAILURE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THE WASH WAS OPERATING ON ITS OWN. THE RADIO MADE A CRACKLING NOISE AND THE RECEPTION CAME IN AND OUT. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT SMELLED PLASTIC OR RUBBING BURNING HOWEVER, NO SMOKE WAS PRESENT. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #05V206000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING: INTERIOR/UNDER DASH. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 06/27/06. *JB

2003 CROWN VICTORIA CAUGHT ON FIRE NEAR THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. *TS THIS WAS A POLICE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED THE TURNED OFF SO THE OFFICER COULD GO BACK INSIDE THE STATION TO RETRIEVE SOMETHING. A FEW MINUTES LATER A FIREFIGHTER NOTICED HEAVY BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE APPEARED TO BE IN THE AREA OF THE ALTERNATOR AND IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. *NM

CONFIRMATION NUMBER (ODI NUMBER) 10149237 APPROXIMATELY 3-4 MONTHS AGO I SEND A COMPLAINT ABOUT FORD PRODUCTS WHICH STILL HAD A TANK ISSUE. I WAS PROMISED A REPLY AS SOON AS THE RIGHT PERSON RECEIVED THE INFORMATION WITHIN A FEW WEEKS. SO FAR I HAVE RECEIVED NOTHING!!!! *NM

REAR AXLE BEARINGS FAILED AT 39,000 MILES. OUT OF WARRANTY, THERE IS A RECALL FOR FLEET BUYERS. WHY NOT MY CAR? I REPAIRED IT AT MY EXPENSE. *NM

HOW CAN YOU FOLKS JUSTIFY THE POLICY WHICH HAS BEEN REPORTED CONCERNING THE FIRE HAZARD ON THE FORD CROWN VIC, MERCURY MARQUIS, AND LINCOLN TOWN CAR BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION OF AND LACK OF PROTECTION OF THE GAS TANK. WHY IS THAT NOT A RECALLABLE DEFECT? WE BOUGHT A 2003 CROWN VIC NOT KNOWING ABOUT THE GAS TANK LOCATION PROBLEM. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR INFORMING THE PUBLIC OF SUCH DEATH CAUSING HAZARDS? IF NOT YOUR AGENCY, WHO? SO WHAT ARE WE TO DO NOW? WHY SHOULD WE HAVE TO PAY $150 TO GET A FACTORY DEFECT FIXED? NOT ONLY ARE YOU DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT, YOU ARE NEGLIGENT IN WITHHOLDING THIS INFORMATION FROM CONSUMERS. IT IS FURTHER REPORTED A REPRESENTATIVE OF YOUR AGENCY STATED THAT YOU WERE GOING TO DO NOTHING; IT WAS A CONSUMER VS. MANUFACTURER ISSUE. WHAT POWER DOES A CONSUMER HAVE TO MAKE A LARGE CORPORATION LIKE FORD MOTOR COMPANY FIX A DEFECT LIKE THEY VOLUNTARY DID ON ALL POLICE CRUISERS. I BELIEVE THAT WAS AN ECONOMIC DECISION OF FORD, NOT NECESSARILY A SAFETY CONCERN. IF NOT WHY WOULD THEY NOT BE JUST AS CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS. I HAVE OWNED CROWN VICS FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS, NOT KNOW ABOUT THE GAS TANK HAZARD. HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE (MAYBE MY WIFE AND I) WILL HAVE TO DIE FROM EXPLODING GAS TANKS BEFORE YOU TAKE THE ACTION YOU ARE ENTRUSTED TO? AS A COMMENTATOR SAID THE OTHER DAY, IT IS SUCH A SAD STATE THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE OUR GOVERNMENT WORKS. HOW SAD. IF YOU HAD PURCHASED ONE OF THESE AUTOMOBILES NOT KNOWING ABOUT THIS DEATH TRAP, WOULD YOU FEE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED NO FAILURE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED WITH THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK. HOWEVER, THERE IS CONCERN FOR SAFETY DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER RECENTLY OFFERING A PROTECTIVE SHIELD. THE SHIELD WAS OFFERED TO VEHICLE'S THAT WERE AT A HIGHER RISK OF FIRE BASED ON THEIR USE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SHIELD NOT BEING OFFERED AS A STANDARD ON ALL VEHICLES REGARDLESS OF THEIR INTENDED USE. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN REAR ENDED TWICE. UPDATED 02/27/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V328000, REGARDING THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS STATED IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

DT: 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONSUMER STATES ON AUGUST 29, 2005 THE VEHICLE WAS GOING 25 MPH WHEN IT TOOK OFF. THE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. HE TRIED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE, BUT THEY WOULD NOT WORK. HE PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF TO GET IT TO STOP. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR CONDITIONER MADE THE VEHICLE GO FASTER, AND HE THOUGHT THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE.*AK

DT: REAR AXLE BEARING FAILURE, IT CHEWED UP THE REAR AXLE. FORD HAS A RECALL BUT IT DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN. THIS CAUSED THE AXLE SHAFT TO FRACTURE, IT LEAKED FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 14,2005. THE VEHICLE BEFORE HAND HAD STARTED MAKING A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION. *AK

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.*AK

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, AND SUGGESTED THAT THE CONSUMER CONTACT THE DEALER. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL.*AK

I AM REPRESENTING THE CITY OF TROY, NY POLICE DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY SENT YOU INFORMATION REGARDING THREE CRACKED WHEELS FROM THREE SEPARATE CROWN VIC INTERCEPTOR WHEELS. WE NOW HAVE A FOURTH ONE AND WE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH REPLACEMENT FROM FORD, VIA THE LOCAL DEALER. THE WHEEL IS FROM A 2003 YEAR MODEL, VIN [XXX], DOT [XXX]. THIS IS THE SECOND WHEEL TO CRACK FROM THIS VEHICLE. THE CRACK IS 5" BY 1 3/4". FOR FURTHER INFO PLEASE CONTACT AUTOMOTIVE SUPERVISOR [XXX]. THANKS. *AK *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED.*AK *TC

THE TRUNK LID OF THE 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA HAS A CHROMED METAL STRIP OF TRIM RUNNING ACROSS THE OUTER BOTTOM WIDTH OF THE TRUNK LID. THIS METAL STRIP HAS AN EXPOSED SHARP EDGE IN A PLACE WHERE A USER WOULD INSTINCTIVELY REACH TO LIFT OR HOLD UP THE TRUNK LID (ON A WINDY DAY). AS A RESULT, THIS SHARP EDHE HAS RESULTED IN A CUT ON MY LEFT HAND.*AK

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION SLIPPED GEARS UNTIL CONSUMER REACHED HIS DESTINATION. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

STEEL WHEEL CRACKED ON VEHICLE.*MR THERE WAS A SEPARATION OF THE WELD BETWEEN THE DISK AND HUB. A GAP OF 1/16TH OF AN INCH EXTENDED APPROXIMATELY 18" AROUND THE HUB WELD. THE WHEEL WAS PREVIOUSLY INSPECTED AT THE DEALER FOR POSSIBLE INVOLVEMENT IN SAFETY CAMPAIGN 03S05 AND PER THE DEALER THE WHEEL WAS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. THE WHEEL FAILED IN THE SAME MANNER AS DESCRIBED IN SAFETY RECALL 03S05. *NM SEE ALSO 10083876, SAME INCIDENT. *DSY

BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE FRAYING. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, AND THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL, AND ANY REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENT WOULD BE AT A COST TO THE CONSUMER. *AK CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS.

MY 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA, DEVELOPED A GRINDING NOISE IN THE REAR END ON 8/05/04. TOOK IT TO HAVE IT CHECKED ON 8/12/04 AND FOUND OUT THAT THE REAR AXLE BEARINGS WERE BAD AND THAT THEY HAD CUT INTO THE AXLE SHAFT. I HAD TO HAVE THE AXLE SHAFTS, BEARINGS AND SEALS REPLACED AT A COST OF $513.45. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA "FLEET" VEHICLES (RECALL #04S16) FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED FORD ON 8/13/04 AND FOUND OUT THAT IT ONLY APPLIED TO VEHICLES ASSEMBLED AT THE ST. THOMAS FACILITY BETWEEN 12/01 AND 12/02. THEY ALSO VERIFIED BY MY VIN# [XXX], THAT MY CAR WAS ASSEMBLED IN THE ST. THOMAS FACILITY IN 7/02. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY CAR IS NOT INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL. I ALSO FOUND THAT FORD HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ADVISING DEALERS TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR SERVICE COMPLAINTS CENTERING AROUND REAR AXLE NOISE IN THE 2003 CROWN VICTORIAS, AND TWO OTHER MODELS MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO 01/01/03 AND INCLUDED ALL CHASSIS CONFIGURATIONS (NOT ONLY FLEET VEHICLES) EXCEPT HEAVY-DUTY LIMOUSINE AND HEARSE CHASSIS. ACCORDING TO FORDS RECALL INFORMATION, "EARLY BEARING FAILURE AND ULTIMATELY AXLE SHAFT FRACTURE WOULD LEAD TO LOSS OF DRIVE FUNCTION AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH". I ALSO FOUND THAT IT COULD LEAD TO A WHEEL-OFF FAILURE AND A RESULTING CRASH. I ALSO FIND THAT FORD ISSUED A "SILENT RECALL" OR "SECRET WARRANTY" TO DEAL WITH CUSTOMER PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE END OF THE FACTORY WARRANTY (DEALER OPERATION C

COMPLAINT REGARDING DEFECT OF SOME STEEL ROAD WHEELS.*MR THE OFFICERS DEPT WAS NOTIFIED OF THE SAFETY RECALL 03S05 CONCERNING THE DEFECT OF SOME STEEL WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT RECALL 03S05 HAD BEEN PERFORMED. ABOUT 10 MONTHS LATER THE VEHICLE'S FRONT TIRE BEGAN LOOSING AIR PRESSURE OFTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE INSPECTION REVEALED A SEVERE CRACK IN THE AREA OF THE WELD JOINING THE DISK OF THE WHEEL HUB. THERE WAS A SEPARATION OF 1/16 OF AN INCH BETWEEN THE WHEEL HUB AND OUTSIDE WHEEL DISK AND THE CRACK EXTENDED 18 INCHES AROUND THE HUB WELD. *NM SEE ODI 10093959, SAME INCIDENT. *DSY

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.*AK

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. *AK 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 SPACE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE. THE CONSUMER THEN STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND GENTLY ON THE ACCELERATOR AGAIN, AND THE VEHICLE RACED AWAY BACKWARDS AT A EXTREMELY FAST SPEED. THE CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE BRAKES WITH ALL HER STRENGTH, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. *SC

DEALERSHIP HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO PERFORM THE STEEL WHEEL RECALL 03V279000 REPAIRS FOR ALMOST 10 MONTHS BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. *AK