2008 Ford Crown Victoria

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 50 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

43 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000150,000 miles; the median is 100,500 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering21
412
Vehicle Speed Control9
302
Electrical System3
010
Power Train2
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal1
100
Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing1
000
Suspension1
000
Structure › Body1
010
Structure1
100
Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Steering › Rack and Pinion › Pinion Shaft14V704000
Filed Nov 5, 201436,888 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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.

Risk. 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.

Steering13V385000
Filed Aug 29, 2013355,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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.

Risk. 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.

Suspension › Front › Hub07V270000
Filed Jun 26, 20078,800 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Aug 4, 2023AZ

Complete instrument cluster failure, no lights illuminate except turn signals. Speed, rpm’s, fuel level, temperature, are completely off instrument cluster is completely dark when driving at night, told that the solders on the cluster are bad. (Defective?)

Power Train
Filed May 17, 2023115,000 milesTX

The contact owns 2008 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to reverse while the transmission was shifted into reverse(R). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the linkage. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Oct 5, 2022121,924 milesCA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH in a dark area with the high beam headlights activated, the headlights became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the low beam headlights were activated to continue driving. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The contact stated she replaced the headlights and the fuse but the failure continued. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 121,924.

Steering
Filed Aug 24, 2022141,000 milesMI

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The contact inspected the steering column underneath the hood and noticed that the steering shaft was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V385000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.

Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm
Filed Jul 29, 2022CA

The right front wheel hub broke at the weld when turning in a parking lot. The part is available for inspection. Had this happened at freeway speed, the right front wheel would have departed the vehicle. The safety hazards are obvious. I attempted to contact customer service and they did not reply.There was no warning sign and the part has not been inspected. I am not a welder. It appears this part had a bad weld from the start. I suspect it was welded by a machine and there may be more just like it from the same production run.

Steering
Filed May 28, 2021GA

I purchased this vehicle a week ago and I also downloaded car fax and it states my vehicle was due for a recall in 2014 but the previous owner next got it.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank
Filed Jul 14, 2020107,000 milesNH

2008 FORD INTERSEPTER GAS TANK STRAPS AND TANK FELL. VEHICAL WAS TOWED TO A FORD.

Steering
Filed Jun 22, 2020166,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL INDEPENDENTLY TURNED 180 DEGREES. THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND BECAME AWARE OF A LOOSENED STEERING SHAFT BUSHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

Structure › BodyFire
Filed Mar 16, 202045,000 milesLA

I DROVE MY CAR TO WORK. I PARKED IT ON THE SIDE OF THE STREET. WHEN I GOT OUT HOURS LATER IT HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE.

Steering
Filed Jan 15, 2020189,000 milesIL

NOTICED INTERMITTENT STIFFNESS IN THE STEERING, AN INSPECTION BY OWNER AT THE STEERING COLUMN DETERMINED THAT THE BEARING CONNECTING THE UPPER AND LOWERS SHAFTS HAD EXTENDED FROM ITS HOUSING. IT WAS DETERMINED THIS FAILURE WAS CONSISTENT WITH A PREVIOUS RECALL 13R01. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GILLESPIE FORD IN GURNEE, IL, WHO STATED THE RECALL HAD BEEN CLOSED OUT IN 2013. THEY WENT ON TO STATE THAT THE ONLY REPAIR MADE IN 2013 WAS REPLACEMENT OF THE LOWER, EXTERIOR STEERING SHAFT, AND NO RETAINING CLIP WAS INSTALLED TO PREVENT SEPARATION OF THE BEARING. GILLESPIE FORD STATED THERE WAS NO CORROSION OR ANY OTHER CAUSE OF THE BEARING FAILURE, SAYING THAT WHEN THE RECALLS WERE DONE THEY WOULD SIMPLY REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN AND NOT INSTALL THE RETAINING CLIP. GILLESPIE FORD DECLINED TO MAKE ANY FURTHER REPAIRS UNDER THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE CONDITION EXISTED WITH SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS, BUT DID OFFER TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN FOR $1600.00.

Steering
Filed Feb 9, 2019162,000 milesAR

I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY AND TURNED ONTO MY STREET WHEN MY LOWER STEERING SHAFT COLLAPSED AND CAUSED MY UPPER BEARING RETAINING CLIP TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN CAUSING ME TO LOSE ALL STEERING CONTROL.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 29, 2018179,000 milesLA

TAKATA RECALL FOR SOME ODD REASON ANY LITTLE BUMP OR IN LEVEL GROUND I GO OVER , THE STEERING WHEEL RESPONSE IS HORRIBLE. ALSO MY CHECK GAS CAP LIGHT COMES ON AND I CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP TWICE & HORRIBLE FUMES FLOATS AROUND INSIDE MY CAR CABIN.

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator PedalCrash
Filed Jun 27, 2018103,000 milesPA

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 CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 11, 2018110,000 milesFL

THE ANTI BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SENORS IS SHOW OPEN CIRCUIT

Steering
Filed Nov 23, 2017130,000 milesMI

I HAVE A 2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA (P71) POLICE INTERCEPTOR. I AM HAVING A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT TO RIGHT. THE NOISE IS ACCOMPANIED BY A WANDERING STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE VEHICLE GOES OVER BUMPS. ALSO THE STEERING WHEEL SOMETIMES BECOMES HARD TO TURN THEN RAPIDLY BECOMES LOOSE LIKE SOMETHING IS BINDING UP, THEN FINALLY BREAKING FREE THROUGHOUT THE TURN. THIS HAPPENS WHEN TAKING LOW SPEED WIDE TURNS. AFTER INSPECTING THE STEERING COMPONENTS I NOTICED MY EXCESSIVE PLAY WHERE TJE INTERMITTENT STEERING SHAFT ATTATCHES TO THE RACK N PINION. I THINK MY UPPER SHAFT MAY HAVE BEEN REPLACED BEFORE SINCE IT IS NOT NEARLY AS CORRODED AS THE LOWER INTERMITTENT SHAFT. I CAN ROTATE THE WHOLE SHAFT ABOUT A QUARTER TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION WHILE THE CAR PARKED AND AT THE END OF EACH TURN THE KNOCK RESONATES NEAR THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT KNUCKLE TO WHERE IT CONNECTS INTO TJE PINION GEAR OF THE RACK N PINION. NOW, I INSPECTED ALL STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AND THEY ARE ALL IN GOOD SHAPE....NO PLAY ANYWHERE 8N THE SYSTEM BESIDES THE "RECALLED" STEERING SHAFT! I HAVE TWO KIDS AND IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AND THEY GET HURT BECAUSE A "RECALLED" PART DIDNT GET REPLACED BY FORD WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE(FOR FREE) I WILL NEVER FORGIVE THE COMPANY RESPONSIBLE. HONORING A FREE REPLACEMENT FOR AN OBVIOUSLY POORLY ENGINEERED AND DEFECTIVE FACTORY PART SEEMS TO BE TJE RIGJT THING TO DO.....SO WHERE IS MY RECALL AND WHY DOESNT IT SHOW UP WHEN I SEARCH MY CARS VIN

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 29, 2017145,365 milesNY

I WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY GAS PEDAL STUCK TO FLOOR TURNED KEY OFF AND HIT BRAKES FELT LIKE PEDAL WANTED TO STAY DOWN.CITY STREET.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 18, 2017200,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Aug 5, 2016119,000 milesMA

I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A HIGHWAY- ROUTE 2 IN MASSACHUSETTS. AFTER TAPPING ON THE BRAKES TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF SLOWING DOWN, THE CROWN VICTORIA- ON IT'S OWN- BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AT THE SAME TIME. IT WAS SUDDEN AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. AT THAT POINT, I SLAMMED AS HARD AS I COULD ONTO THE BRAKE PEDAL- TO THE POINT WHERE THE BRAKES WERE SMOKING. THE ENGINE OVERWHELMED BRAKES AND I COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE- I COULD ONLY SLOW IT DOWN. I ENDED UP REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME (WHICH HAD COME TO A STOP). EVEN AFTER THE IMPACT, THE CROWN VICTORIA CONTINUED TO PUSH AGAINST THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THEN, JUST AS SUDDENLY AS IT STARTED, THE FULL BORE ACCELERATION STOPPED. I HAD A PERFECT DRIVING HISTORY PRIOR TO THIS MALFUNCTION. NO ACCIDENTS EVER. I HAD AMPLE SPACE AND TIME TO SAFELY STOP MY VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH MATS. I AM NOT SUING FORD. I AM NOT TRYING TO AVOID THE SURCHARGE. I CAN'T OFFER YOU TANGIBLE PROOF THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN MY 2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA- OTHER THAN MY TRUTHFUL TESTIMONY. I RECENTLY BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND, UNTIL THAT ONE INCIDENT, IT WAS RUNNING NORMALLY. IT WAS RUNNING NORMALLY IN THE DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. I HAD A "WRENCH" LIGHT COME ON ONCE, A COUPLE OF WEEKS EARLIER BUT IT WAS GONE THE NEXT TIME I STARTED UP THE CAR. SO I DISMISSED IT. THE DAMAGE WAS RELATIVELY MINOR AND I HAVE FULL COLLISION. I CONSIDERED THE CAR SO UNSAFE TO DRIVE, HOWEVER, THAT I TOOK IT OFF THE ROAD AND GAVE IT AWAY. I WARN

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jun 9, 201673,000 milesVA

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 BURNING WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRE HARNESS TO THE VISOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

Electrical System
Filed May 19, 2016140,000 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. UPDATED 06/29/16*LJ UPDATED 08/2/16.*JB

20 of 50 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1992
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201123200Routine
201012200Routine
200944220Routine
2008 — this page50331Fatalities reported
200750411Fatalities reported
200653301Fatalities reported
2005193621Fatalities reported
2004138340Routine
2003249740Above average
200258530Routine
200153720Routine
2000851020Routine
1999134841Fatalities reported
19981191060Routine
199728811150Above average
199627612164Fatalities reported
199525012110Above average
19941927142Fatalities reported
19931829114Fatalities reported
19923109243Fatalities reported
199155450Routine
199043370Routine

Compare every Crown Victoria year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Nov 5, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.