NHTSA vehicle safety data

2004 Ford Crown Victoria Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2004 Ford Crown Victoria has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 137 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2004 Ford Crown Victoria owner complaints

Owners have filed 137 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria, describing incidents dated May 10, 2004 to September 7, 2022.

Most-cited components

Exterior Lighting 81 complaints
Electrical System 23 complaints
Steering 19 complaints
Engine 10 complaints
Wheels 9 complaints
Power Train 5 complaints

Of the 137 complaints on file, 2 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 137 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11483992 · Filed September 12, 2022
Taillight failure and corner light failure likely caused by faulty wiring as mentioned in 2015 lcm recall
ODI #11450920 · Filed February 8, 2022
I was informed by my mechanic that my steering column shaft needs to be replaced on my 2004 primary vehicle. Ford says they do not have a recall and will not cover the service. I have a recall for THE SAME ISSUE for my (not currently driving) 2005 Ford Crown Victoria Interceptor made in the SAME…
ODI #11386905 · Filed January 7, 2021
THE GOOD YEAR EAGLE SPORT TIRES TORE APART ON A SHORT TRIP TO THE GROCERY STORE AND CAUSED THE CAR TO BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE TIRES WERE MANUFACTURED ON JUNE 2019 AND PURCHASED OCTOBER 2019 AND BY JANUARY 3RD OF 2021 THEY WERE FLAT AND CHEWED UP WITH ONLY AROUND 13,000 MILES ON THEM EVEN THOUGH THEY…

Read all 137 complaints

Owner-reported

2004 Ford Crown Victoria mileage at failure

124 of the 137 complaints on file for the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Exterior Lighting	Median 90,000 miles	Middle half 65,000–125,000 miles	Based on 72 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria in 6 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE15-028: Loss of headlights
Closed January 8, 2016
- Recall 15V-861
Defect Petition DP15-002: Loss of headlamp/exterior lighting
Closed August 11, 2015
Preliminary Evaluation PE14-021: Steering Column Shaft Obstruction
Closed November 21, 2014
Preliminary Evaluation PE08-066: LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION
Closed March 24, 2009
Defect Petition DP05-005: SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
Closed January 4, 2006

1 more NHTSA investigation

Recall Query RQ04-007: FRACTURE OF THE STEEL WHEEL RIM
Closed December 20, 2004

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Loss of Headlights

NHTSA #15V861000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported December 22, 2015 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 296,004 vehicles

Repair completion: 40.29% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 15S39 · Owners notified April 14, 2017 · Vehicles built October 3, 2001 – August 2, 2005 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A loss of headlights can reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FUEL LEAK/FIRE

NHTSA #06E056000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported June 13, 2006 · UFI FILTERS USA

Potentially affected: 58,640 vehicles

Owners notified August 4, 2006

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO UFI FILTERS USA (PUROLATOR) AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

DASH OUTER SOUND INSULATOR

NHTSA #05V206000 · Electrical System — Wiring — Interior/Under Dash · NHTSA notice

Reported May 9, 2005 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 132,800 vehicles

Ford campaign 05S32 · Owners notified June 3, 2005 · Vehicles built March 26, 2002 – December 14, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, THE INSULATOR MIGHT EXPERIENCE CHARRING OF THE OUTER LAYER, BURNING ODOR, OR SMOKE WHICH MAY ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 05S032. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2004 Ford Crown Victoria 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

6 investigations

2004 Ford Crown Victoria 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

6 investigations

137 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria.

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting

ODI #11483992

Incident: September 7, 2022 · Filed: September 12, 2022

Taillight failure and corner light failure likely caused by faulty wiring as mentioned in 2015 lcm recall

Steering

ODI #11450920

Incident: February 1, 2022 · Filed: February 8, 2022

I was informed by my mechanic that my steering column shaft needs to be replaced on my 2004 primary vehicle. Ford says they do not have a recall and will not cover the service. I have a recall for THE SAME ISSUE for my (not currently driving) 2005 Ford Crown Victoria Interceptor made in the SAME LOCATION (St. Thomas). 2005 Manufacturer Recall Number 13S08, NHTSA Recall Number 13V385000). The recall includes cars originally sold in NH (both of mine) and says: 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. Safety Risk: IF THE LOWER BEARING SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. How can Ford say there is no issue when there is an active recall for it on model years 2005-2011? Have there been reported issues/crashes of 2004 cars with this defect? Is there anything I can do to have Ford cover this? Or are they not bothering because there probably aren't many 2004s still on the road? Is it possible to get Ford to provide the manufacturer lot/date codes of the defective steering parts? As my 2004 & 2005 were built in the same location, I would bet my 2004 was built with the same steering part manufacturer lot as my 2005- they probably don't turn out the volume of police Interceptors as commercial cars. Thank you

Wheels

ODI #11386905

Incident: January 3, 2021 · Filed: January 7, 2021

THE GOOD YEAR EAGLE SPORT TIRES TORE APART ON A SHORT TRIP TO THE GROCERY STORE AND CAUSED THE CAR TO BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE TIRES WERE MANUFACTURED ON JUNE 2019 AND PURCHASED OCTOBER 2019 AND BY JANUARY 3RD OF 2021 THEY WERE FLAT AND CHEWED UP WITH ONLY AROUND 13,000 MILES ON THEM EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE 50,000 MILE TIRES. THIS COMPLAINT IS INVOLVING THE GOODYEAR TIRES THAT WERE ON THE CAR AND THE ONE THAT FAILED AND WAS CHEWED UP DESPITE LOW MILES AND RECENTLY MANUFACTURED/MADE WITHIN THE LAST 19 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT AFTER THE TIRE WAS DISCOVERED CHEWED UP THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS IN NEED OF REPAIR AS THE TIRE CAUSED DAMAGE. THE BRAKES WERE NOT RESPONSIVE TO STOPPING AFTER THE TIRE WAS CHEWED UP EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS SOME BRAKING POWER WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED DOWN TO THE FLOOR, THE BRAKING POWER WAS REDUCED AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE CAR CAME ONE. THAT IS TO SAY THAT THE TIRE FAILURE DAMAGED SOME OF THE BRAKING COMPONENETS IN THE VEHICLE. DOT C0X3 2E1R 0619

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11377413

Incident: November 30, 2020 · Filed: December 2, 2020

THE NEAD LIGHTS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AT 65 MILES A HOUR STOPED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIWAY SHUT OFF THE CAR PLAYED WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON BUT NOW THEY WILL NOT SHUT OFF SO THE BATTERY MUST BE DICONECTED WHEN NOT IN USE WORKING ON FINDING A REPAIR SHOP T FIX IT

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11372311

Incident: October 3, 2020 · Filed: October 29, 2020

2004 FORD CROWN VIC HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. I ORDERED AND REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND MY HEADLIGHTS STILL DON'T WORK. I CAN'T DRIVE AT NIGHT ANYMORE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD DEALERSHIP ABOUT A RECALL AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A CALL BACK.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11361504

Incident: September 8, 2020 · Filed: September 28, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V861000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE PROPERLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANUALLY ADJUSTED THE LIGHT SWITCH AND THE HEADLIGHTS OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11328516

Incident: May 22, 2020 · Filed: June 12, 2020

WHAT HAPPENED IS THAT I GOT THE VIN REPORT ONLINE AND ASKED ABOUT RECALLS, FOUND 5 RECALLS, AND WENT TO THE NHTSA AND NOW YOU DO NOT TELL ME IF THE RECALLS WERE MADE OR THE PROBLEMS FIXED. *TR

Steering

ODI #11245836

Incident: March 1, 2017 · Filed: August 22, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED PERIODICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11231344

Incident: December 1, 2017 · Filed: July 12, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE COMPLETELY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V861000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT THE REMEDY WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. *TR*JB

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11176518

Incident: January 30, 2018 · Filed: February 12, 2019

THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. THE FUSE WAS GOOD BUT I REPLACED IT ANYWAY. I ALSO REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.

Other Ford Crown Victoria model years

Check your 2004 Ford Crown Victoria VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Crown Victoria at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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