NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Ford Cvpi Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 Ford Cvpi has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 78 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 2003 Ford Cvpi. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2003 Ford Cvpi owner complaints

Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford Cvpi, describing incidents dated January 22, 2003 to June 25, 2014.

Most-cited components

Wheels 63 complaints
Exterior Lighting 8 complaints
Tires 5 complaints
Electrical System 3 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 3 complaints
Steering 1 complaint

Of the 78 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 78 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10606666 · Filed June 28, 2014
AIR LEAKS OUT THE BACK WHEEL EVERY DAY AFTER FILL UP GAS IT SMELLS LIKE GAS INSIDE CAR. *TR
ODI #10538503 · Filed September 3, 2013
I JUST READ ABOUT THE STEERING COLUMN RECALL ON THE CROWN VIC, CVPI, AND GRAND MARQUIS 2005-2011 AND I AM NOT SURE WHY THE 2003-2004 MODELS ARE NOT INCLUDED. THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUES DESCRIBED IN THIS RECALL. I HAD MY 2003 CVPI IN THE SHOP LESS THAN A MONTH AGO DUE TO SOME STEERING ISSUES I'M…
ODI #10447434 · Filed February 10, 2012
I HAVE STEEL WHEELS ON MY 2003 CROWN VIC I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY STATING THAT MY WHEELS WERE PART OF A SAFETY RECALL, THE WHEELS ARE PRONE TO WELDS BREAKING AND RUSTING MAKING THEM LOOSE AIR AND IMPOSSIBLE TO BALANCE WHY STEERING WHEEL SHAKES I HAVE HAD DIFFERENT TIRES AND…

Read all 78 complaints

Owner-reported

2003 Ford Cvpi mileage at failure

71 of the 78 complaints on file for the 2003 Ford Cvpi 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
Wheels	Median 85,000 miles	Middle half 70,000–100,000 miles	Based on 57 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 2003 Ford Cvpi in 2 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 EA04-034: FRACTURE OF THE STEEL WHEEL RIM
Closed March 8, 2007
- Recall 07V-079
Recall Query RQ04-007: FRACTURE OF THE STEEL WHEEL RIM
Closed December 20, 2004

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

STEEL WHEELS

NHTSA #07V079000 · Wheels · NHTSA notice

Reported March 6, 2007 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 109,664 vehicles

Ford campaign 07S48 · Owners notified March 15, 2007 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THE CRACKS CAN ULTIMATELY RESULT IN RAPID AIR LOSS FROM THE TIRE AND COULD AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 07S48. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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 24, 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.

STEEL WHEELS

NHTSA #03V279000 · Wheels · NHTSA notice

Reported August 5, 2003 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 29,946 vehicles

Ford campaign 03S05 · Owners notified August 8, 2003 · Vehicles built October 10, 2001 – September 30, 2002 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THE CRACKS CAN ULTIMATELY RESULT IN RAPID AIR LOSS FROM THE TIRE AND COULD AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 03S05.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

FORD/FUEL TANK/POLICE VEHICLES

NHTSA #02I003000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported October 15, 2002 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 350,000 vehicles

Ford campaign 02B02 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

SOME HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES HAVE RESULTED IN FUEL TANK PUNCTURES AND FIRES IN CVPI VEHICLES.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2003 Ford Cvpi. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

78 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Ford Cvpi.

Tires; Wheels

ODI #10606666

Incident: June 25, 2014 · Filed: June 28, 2014

AIR LEAKS OUT THE BACK WHEEL EVERY DAY AFTER FILL UP GAS IT SMELLS LIKE GAS INSIDE CAR. *TR

Steering; Wheels

ODI #10538503

Incident: August 19, 2013 · Filed: September 3, 2013

I JUST READ ABOUT THE STEERING COLUMN RECALL ON THE CROWN VIC, CVPI, AND GRAND MARQUIS 2005-2011 AND I AM NOT SURE WHY THE 2003-2004 MODELS ARE NOT INCLUDED. THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUES DESCRIBED IN THIS RECALL. I HAD MY 2003 CVPI IN THE SHOP LESS THAN A MONTH AGO DUE TO SOME STEERING ISSUES I'M HAVING (A LOT OF NOISE DURING DRIVING AND WHILE TURNING) AND THE OUTCOME WAS THAT MY CAR NEEDS A STEERING COLUMN FLEX COUPLER (SHAFT, LOWER) AND THE LOWER BALL JOINT (CONTROL ARM) ALSO NEEDS REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. SO AGAIN, I'M ASKING WHY IT'S NOT PART OF THE RECALL? ALSO, I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH MY TIRES THAT A LOT OF OTHER CVPI OWNERS ARE HAVING CONCERNING THE CRACKS IN THE RIMS. MY TIRES ONLY HAVE A FEW THOUSAND MILES ON THEM AND I'M HAVING TO PUT AIR IN THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE ABOUT ONCE A WEEK DUE TO LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE. (I'M LOSING ABOUT 20 PSI A WEEK ON AVERAGE). THE TIRES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND ARE FINE. *JB

Wheels

ODI #10447434

Incident: February 1, 2011 · Filed: February 10, 2012

I HAVE STEEL WHEELS ON MY 2003 CROWN VIC I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY STATING THAT MY WHEELS WERE PART OF A SAFETY RECALL, THE WHEELS ARE PRONE TO WELDS BREAKING AND RUSTING MAKING THEM LOOSE AIR AND IMPOSSIBLE TO BALANCE WHY STEERING WHEEL SHAKES I HAVE HAD DIFFERENT TIRES AND MULTIPLE SHOPS BALANCE THE WHEELS THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO, ALSO THEY LOOSE AIR ALL THE TIME. I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THIS ISSUES WHERE I WAS TOLD BECAUSE I AM NOT A POLICE DEPARTMENT THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HONOR THE RECALL, THEY SAY ITS ONLY FOR CARS IN POLICE USE. IM CONCERNED AS THESES WHEELS HAVE BEEN USED BY THE PRIOR OWNER AKA A POLICE FORCE MAKING THE CARS WHEELS UNSAFE FOR ME FOR WANTS ME TO PAY TO GET NEW WHEELS AT A COST OF OVER 500 DOLLARS I JUST WANT THEM TO HONOR THE RECALL AS THE WHEELS ARE CERTAINLY UNSAFE. *TR

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10413990

Incident: July 5, 2011 · Filed: July 21, 2011

HEADLIGHTS GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. LCM IS BAD, $500.00 FOR PART. VERY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS EXPECTING TO SEE A RECALL NOTICE. THIS IS THE SECOND LCM FOR ME! *KB

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10401308

Incident: May 16, 2011 · Filed: May 17, 2011

I JUST PURCHASES AND TOOK POSSESSION OF A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR. I DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR A COUPLE DAYS DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS WITH NO ISSUES. HOWEVER, ON THE FIRST NIGHT I DROVE THE VEHICLE (WELL AFTER SUNSET) I EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS OCCURRENCES OF THE HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT COMPLETELY FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME (RANGING FROM SEVERAL SECONDS TO SEVERAL MINUTES). THE ONLY WAY I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS TO HOLD THE HIGH/LOW BEAM SWITCH IN THE HIGH BEAM POSITION. IF I WERE ON AN UNLIT ROAD THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN A VEHICLE CRASH, POTENTIALLY DAMAGING OR DESTROYING THE VEHICLE AND INJURING OR KILLING MYSELF AND/OR ANY NEARBY PEDESTRIANS. I HAVE SEEN THE CLOSED INVESTIGATION #PE08066, WHICH STATES THAT THE REASON THIS ISSUE WAS CLOSED IS BECAUSE IT HAS NOT RESULTED IN A DEATH. BEING A VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTER AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONDER, I DO NOT CONSIDER THIS TO BE AN ACCEPTABLE REASON FOR CLOSING SUCH AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THE COST TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE CIRCUITRY IS UPWARDS OF $500+ FOR THE PART ALONE, NOT INCLUDING LABOR COSTS. *TR

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting

ODI #10369070

Incident: December 3, 2010 · Filed: December 3, 2010

2003 CROWN VICTORIA, HEADLIGHTS STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING. IT APPEARS I NEED TO REPLACE THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE (LCM). I SEE FROM INTERNET SEARCHES THAT MANY MANY HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM.THIS PART IS ALMOST $600 FROM FORD. IT APPEARS THAT FORD HAS A SAFETY ISSUE HERE THAT THEY ARE AVOIDING. I'M SURPRISED THAT NO RECALL IS IN EFFECT. AT LEAST FORD SHOULD OFFER SOME GOODWILL SUPPORT TO THEIR CUSTOMERS BY LOWERING THE PRICE OF THIS PART.... *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10366542

Incident: November 16, 2010 · Filed: November 17, 2010

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 BOX CALLED THE "LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE" MAY ENCOURAGE THE LIGHTS TO TURN BACK ON TEMPORARILY. *TR

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10353579

Incident: January 4, 2009 · Filed: September 2, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA CVPI. WHILE DRIVING 10 TO 60 MPH THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY AT NIGHT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATING BEFORE THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. AS THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SOMETIME THE LIGHTS WOULD COME BACK ON WITHIN 5 TO 10 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE HAD TO PAY $418 IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR RELATED WARRANTIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 282,000.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10353570

Incident: January 4, 2009 · Filed: September 2, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA CVPI. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 TO 60 MPH THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY AT NIGHT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATING BEFORE THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE THE LIGHTS WOULD COME BACK ON FOR 5 TO 10 MINUTES OR NOT AT ALL. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED STATING THAT HE HAD TO PAY $418 TO REPLACE THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE SINCE THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 280,000.

Wheels

ODI #10340628

Incident: June 29, 2003 · Filed: June 29, 2010

MY CAR IS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA (FORMER POLICE VEHICLE). THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON IT, # 07S48 FOR THE 16" STEEL WHEEL REPLACEMENT. I HAVE RECEIVED 3 NOTICES FROM FORD ON IT. WHEN I WENT TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS THEY TOLD ME IT ISN'T COVERED BECAUSE IT IS NO LONGER OWNED BY A POLICE DEPARTMENT. THEY CAN NOT TELL ME WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS WHETHER A COP IS DRIVING IT OR ME. I AM AN OFFICER AND I DO NOT BELIEVE I DRIVE MY PERSONAL CAR ANY DIFFERENTLY THEN WHILE AT WORK. I FEEL VIBRATION IN MY WHEEL AT HIGH SPEEDS, WHICH I WAS TOLD IS A RESULT OF THIS RECALL. *TR

Other Ford Cvpi model years

Check your 2003 Ford Cvpi VIN

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

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