NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Ford Crown Victoria Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2008 Ford Crown Victoria has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 50 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 2008 Ford Crown Victoria, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2008 Ford Crown Victoria owner complaints

Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria, describing incidents dated January 7, 2008 to June 6, 2023.

Most-cited components

Steering 25 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 11 complaints
Suspension 6 complaints
Electrical System 5 complaints
Power Train 3 complaints
Service Brakes 3 complaints

Of the 50 complaints on file, 11 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 50 complaints, owners report 6 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11536418 · Filed August 4, 2023
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?)
ODI #11522491 · Filed May 17, 2023
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…
ODI #11488095 · Filed October 5, 2022
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…

Read all 50 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria in 3 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.

Engineering Analysis EA13-004: Loss of Steering Control
Closed November 15, 2013
- Recall 13V-385
Preliminary Evaluation PE12-025: Loss of Steering Control
Closed April 26, 2013
Preliminary Evaluation PE08-060: TIRE VALVE CRACKING
Closed April 9, 2009

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Improper Repair of Upper Intermediate Shaft

NHTSA #14V704000 · Steering — Rack and Pinion — Pinion Shaft · NHTSA notice

Reported November 5, 2014 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 36,888 vehicles

Repair completion: 70.57% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 14S25 · Owners notified November 19, 2014 · Vehicles built March 23, 2004 – August 30, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Steering Column Lower Bearing May Separate

NHTSA #13V385000 · Steering · NHTSA notice

Reported August 29, 2013 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 355,000 vehicles

Repair completion: 60.86% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 13S08 · Owners notified October 23, 2013 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

A separate service campaign applies to vehicles in non-corrosion states not addressed by this safety recall. Owners of these vehicles should contact Ford directly about these vehicles.For the safety recall, 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.

HUB ASSEMBLY

NHTSA #07V270000 · Suspension — Front — Hub · NHTSA notice

Reported June 26, 2007 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 8,800 vehicles

Ford campaign 07S54 · Owners notified June 22, 2007 · Vehicles built May 16, 2007 – June 25, 2007 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 07S54.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.

2008 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

3 investigations

2008 Ford Crown Victoria 4-DR. 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

3 investigations

50 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria.

Electrical System

ODI #11536418

Incident: June 6, 2023 · Filed: August 4, 2023

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

ODI #11522491

Incident: April 17, 2023 · Filed: May 17, 2023

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

ODI #11488095

Incident: September 27, 2022 · Filed: October 5, 2022

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

ODI #11480958

Incident: August 23, 2022 · Filed: August 24, 2022

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

ODI #11476597

Incident: July 16, 2022 · Filed: July 29, 2022

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; Unknown or Other

ODI #11418934

Incident: May 28, 2021 · Filed: May 28, 2021

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

ODI #11339379

Incident: June 10, 2020 · Filed: July 14, 2020

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

Steering

ODI #11330032

Incident: June 19, 2020 · Filed: June 22, 2020

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.

Electrical System; Structure; Engine

ODI #11318188

Fire

Incident: March 4, 2020 · Filed: March 16, 2020

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

ODI #11299622

Incident: January 14, 2020 · Filed: January 15, 2020

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.

Other Ford Crown Victoria model years

Check your 2008 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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