2002 Ford Crown Victoria problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly (6) · Steering (4) · Vehicle Speed Control (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Crown Victoria model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
31 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Steering 2015-10-06 · campaign 15E082000 · 1,767 vehicles
Defect: Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering shafts are sold for use in 1995-2002 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. These steering shafts may separate during operation if the integral fastener is loose or m
Risk: If the shafts separate during vehicle operation, a loss of steering control would result, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, option 5.
Service bulletins (88)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure 2020-07-13 · TSB 20-2233 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this article supersedes tsb 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. some 2000 and newer ford/lincoln/mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is
Structure 2019-02-07 · TSB 19-2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2000 and newer ford, lincoln and mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is recommended. follow the service procedure steps to correct the condition
Structure 2019-02-07 · TSB 19-2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2000 and newer ford, lincoln and mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is recommended. follow the service procedure steps to correct the condition
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2007-10-01 · 07212 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6l 2v, 5.4l 2v, or 6.8l 2v engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. *nj this includes f-53 motorhome chassis. updated 2/23/10. *pe
Power Train:axle Assembly 2006-01-01 · 06216 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
limited slip axle chatter, shudder, binding sensation, or vibration during low speed turning maneuvers. *tt
Engine And Engine Cooling 2005-11-14 · 041601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 88 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-01-24 · Engine“driving down the roadway at 55 mph a spark plug in cylinder 2 blow out. the car started making a popping noise and started to lose power. after a while the car shut off. the car was able to restart and be driven home. upon inspection by a mechanic they found the spark plug had came dislodged and shot out of the cylinder and caused damage to the cyl…”
2016-08-30 · Exterior Lighting · 38,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford crown victoria. while driving approximately 45 mph and attempting to make a turn, the turn signals and headlights failed to work, except when the brake pedal was depressed. the contact also noticed that the tail lights did not work and the dashboard was blacked out. the vehicle was taken to a local dealer who was un…”
2016-08-03 · Exterior Lighting · 197,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford crown victoria. the contact stated that the headlamps did not illuminate. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the lighting control module was defective and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the contact referenced nhtsa campaign number: 15v861000 (exterior lighting); how…”
2016-01-06 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe · 81,218 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford crown victoria. while driving 35 mph and proceeding to stop at a red light, the engine stalled and the check engine light illuminated. the vehicle was able to restart after numerous attempts. the failure recurred numerous times. the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the manifold was fractured…”
2014-12-30 · Electrical System · 132,421 mi · 🔥 fire“i had driven up a steep mountain dirt road to serve some legal papers, after reaching the top, i continued down the other side to the address i was looking for. i thought i started smelling something burning, it smelled electrical. when i arrived at the address, i stopped the car and shut it off while i was speaking with the resident. my wife yelle…”
2014-11-07 · Seat Belts · 50,000 mi“tl** the contact owns a 2002 ford crown victoria. the contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the front driver and passenger seat belt became unlatched sporadically. the contact mentioned that the failure could have been directly related to nhtsa campaign number: 01v227001 (seat belts). the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the ma…”
2014-09-09 · Steering · 120,898 mi“bought the car from a fellow friend he advised me that the car has had a issue with the steering where the steering wheel has play to it and its very dangerous when i drive over 50mph im scared i may crash cause the car moves left to right, and the abs brakes have a problem the brake jump when i hit them idk what to do im low on funds and i want to…”
2014-07-14 · Steering · 138,000 mi“power steering started catching and couldn't turn the steering wheel smoothly. hit a curb with my tire and almost hit another car. still jamming but i don't have enough money to take it into a dealership. help! *tr…”
2013-09-03 · Steering · 140,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford crown victoria. the contact stated that the steering failed and the wheel became tight. the vehicle was repaired by the contact and the manufacturer was not notified. the approximate failure mileage was 140,000. …”
2012-05-29 · Seat Belts · 40,800 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford crown victoria. the contact stated that while driving 75 mph, the driver's seat belt came undone. the contact re-secured the seat belt and the failure recurred. the contact had to purchase a seat belt extension in order to keep the seat belt buckled. the vehicle was not repaired. the dealer was not notified of the i…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.