Ford Crown Victoria Complaints (2003)

249 consumer complaints on file.

#10542871September 10, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS RANDOMLY QUIT WORKING FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. I HAD A MECHANIC INSTALL A NEW LCM (LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE) AND THE LIGHTS NOW WORK BUT IT HAS CAUSED OTHER WIRING PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10542958September 10, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I SAW SIMILAR REPORTS OF THIS FAILURE AND DECIDED TO ADD TO THE # OF COMPLAINTS, AS I EXPERIENCED THIS, TOO. UPON ACCELERATION UP A HILL, AIR FLOW THROUGH VENTS (A/C OR HEAT) WOULD STOP AND GO TO DEFROST, THEN RETURN AFTER CAR BEGAN "CRUISING" AGAIN. OVER TIME, AIR FLOW DEFAULTED TO ALWAYS BEING DEFROST. (I HAD HEARD THAT THIS DEFAULT POSITION UPON FAILURE WAS A SAFETY MANDATE.) WITHOUT A RECALL, THE COST WAS FULLY MINE, SO I CONSIDERED ALTERNATIVES. A DEALER SERVICE FOR THIS PROBLEM (REPLACE THE DASHBOARD'S ELECTRONIC AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL UNIT OR "EATC") WOULD HAVE BEEN MEGABUCKS (I HEARD $800 FOR THE UNIT, ITSELF) FOR PARTS AND LABOR. A REBUILT EATC BY MAIL ORDER (REBUILD MINE OR SWAP FOR MINE) WOULD HAVE BEEN $250-400 FOR THE PART ALONE. THE PROBLEM IS FAILED ORIGINAL O-RINGS ON THE VACUUM ACTUATORS WITHIN THE EATC; NOT A DEALER-OFFERED REPAIR. I REPAIRED IT MYSELF. I ORDERED 5/52" ID X 9/32" OD SILICONE O-RINGS (4 NEEDED, 1 FOR EACH ACTUATOR) AND REPLACED THEM ON THE NOZZLE OF EACH VACUUM ACTUATOR, REASSEMBLED AND REMOUNTED THE ACTUATORS, RECONNECTED THE VACUUM HOSES AND REINSTALLED THE EATC UNIT INTO THE DASHBOARD. AFTER MORE THAN 3 YEARS, THE EATC NOW CONTINUES TO OPERATE PROPERLY. COST OF PARTS (O-RINGS, SILICONE SPRAY AND DIELECTRIC GREASE) WAS ABOUT $30 AND 1 1/2 HOURS OF MY TIME. IT APPEARS TO BE AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH A SIMPLE, ALBEIT VERY EXPENSIVE, CORRECTION, IF DONE BY THE DEALER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10542963September 10, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
AFTER DARK, WHILE DRIVING ON A DIVIDED STATE HIGHWAY, THE HEADLIGHTS UNEXPLAINABLE TURNED OFF, BUT RETURNED AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES OF TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF, AND ACTIVATING THE HIGH BEAMS. OVER THE FOLLOWING MONTH, THEY WOULD SOMETIMES FAIL TO COME ON WHEN I TURNED ON THE SWITCH, BUT WOULD COME ON AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF SWITCH JIGGLING, HIGH-BEAM INDICATOR CLICKING AND ROAD VIBRATION. (HIGH BEAMS WOULD, HOWEVER, ACTIVATE IF I HELD THE LEVER BACK AS IF TO FLASH THEM.) THEY ALSO CONTINUED TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING. UNABLE TO FIND A RECALL, AND NO KNOWLEDGE THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, I WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. HOWEVER, AFTER RESEARCH, I BECAME AWARE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE CAUSE IS A FAILED HEADLIGHT RELAY IN THE LIGHT CONTROL MODULE ("LCM") UNDER THE DASHBOARD, WHICH IS NOT A DEALER SERVICEABLE PART. DEALER REPAIR OF THIS COMMON PROBLEM (SEE THE OTHER COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA) CONSISTS OF REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE LCM PLUS LABOR COSTS. I REPAIRED THE PROBLEM BY REMOVING THE LCM AND REPLACING THE RELAY (APPROXIMATELY $6 FOR THE PART) ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD. PROBLEM IS NOW SOLVED - FOR ME. THESE HEADLIGHT RELAYS APPEAR TO BE LACKING IN DURABILITY, NOT DESIGNED FOR EXTENDED OPERATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10542968September 10, 2013
STEERING
STEERING THE VEHICLE BECAME HARD WHEN MAKING TURNS, AS IF THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT OPERATING. AFTER MAKING TURNS, THE WHEELS DID NOT STRAIGHTEN BY THEMSELVES, AND TURNING THEM BACK HAD TO BE DONE MANUALLY, AS IF NO POWER STEERING WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS STANDING STILL. I SEE THAT THE RECENT RECALL IS ONLY FOR 2005-2001 CROWN VICTORIAS (AND SIMILAR PANTHER PLATFORM VEHICLES), BUT THIS FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED MY 2003. A VIEW UNDER THE HOOD SHOWED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN UNIVERSAL JOINTS, LOCATED IN 2 PLACES ON THE SHAFT, WERE RUSTED AND DRY. AFTER FIRST APPLYING SILICONE SPRAY TO LOOSEN THEM UP (WHICH RELIEVED THE APPEARANCE OF POWER STEERING FAILURE), I APPLIED VERY GENEROUS AMOUNTS OF LITHIUM GREASE TO BOTH JOINT LOCATIONS. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED, BUT POSSIBLY ONLY TEMPORARILY IF THE SHAFT ACTUALLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED LIKE ON THE 2005-2011 VEHICLES. I REPORT THIS TO SHOW THAT THE PROBLEM MAY BE LARGER THAN ONLY WITHIN THE SELECTED RANGE OF VEHICLES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10538510September 3, 2013
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10538505September 3, 2013
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WAS CORRODED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10536283August 20, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEATING AND DEFROST FAILED. FORD SERVICE CO WANTED A $1000 TO LOOK AT IT. I DIDN'T HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. NOW, I ONLY DRIVE IT IN THE SUMMER MONTHS. THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ORIGINAL 70,000 MILES ON IT AND NOW THE HEADLIGHTS ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. IN 2010 I HAD TO HAVE THE GAS TANK REPLACED. I HAVE READ SEVERAL REPORTS ON 2003 CROWN VIC WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. I LIVE IN THE SOUTH, LOTS OF RAIN AND HUMIDITY. DEFROST IS A MUST AS WELL AS HEADLIGHTS. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY FORD IS GIVING THE OPTION TO AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL FIX THEIR DEFECTS OR PASS THEM ON TO THE CONSUMER. I HAVE A 1995 NISSAN, 140000 MILES. THE BODY IS FALLING APART, BUT THE ENGINE RUNS LIKE A SEWING MACHINE AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL WORKS, EVEN THE WINDOWS. MADE IN THE USA... SAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10531657July 24, 2013
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V328000 (SUSPENSION) AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT ONLY THOSE VEHICLES BEING UTILIZED AS POLICE CRUISERS WERE ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIRS UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY USED AS A POLICE CRUISER. THE CONTACT THEN SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER, WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO SIDE WITH THE DEALER ALTHOUGH THE SPECIFICS WERE NOT LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10525772July 19, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME MY LIGHTS WENT OUT AND WOULDN'T COME BACK ON. I HAD TO DRIVE HOME FROM THE ER AFTER MY DAD WAS ADMITTED HOLDING MY HIGH BEAMS ON. VERY DANGEROUS. THEN THEY WENT OUT AGAIN THIS MORNING ON THE WAY TO WORK I LEAVE AT 230 AM AND AGAIN I HELD MY HIGH BEAMS ON TO DRIVE TO WORK. I CALLED FORD THEY NOTED MY COMPLAINT. YEA NO HELP!!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10524029July 9, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LAST TUESDAY, I DROVE FROM SAN JOSE BACK TO ORANGE COUNTY AT 9:00PM AND WHEN I DROVE ON 152 EAST FREEWAY AROUND 9:30PM-10PM SUDDENLY MY HEADLIGHT TURN OFF AT THE CURVE THAT MAKE ME ALMOST FALL DOWN THE HILL. I'M REALLY SCARE AND MY WIFE HAD BEEN CRYING BECAUSE THERE IS NO STREET LIGHT AND I TURN MY CAR FOLLOW THE REFLECT THINGS ON THE ROAD TO KEEP MY CAR ON DRIVING RIGHT THEN BRAKE AND PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HILL. AFTER THAT HAPPENED I DO SOME RESEARCH AND FIND OUT SO MANY FORD CROWN VICTORIA HAVE THIS DEFECT I WONDER WHY THE FORD COMPANY LOOK THE PEOPLE LIFE IS CHEAP LIKE THAT, THEY SUPPORT TO KNOW THIS ISSUE AND HAVE TO RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS SOME ONE, SOME LAW PROTECT US BY THAT, PLEASE ADVISE ME WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH THAT. THERE IS NO PROBLEM TO FIX THIS ISSUE BUT THE THINGS IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND THE FORD HAVE NO RIGHT TO THIS TO ME AND MY FAMILY. MY CAR IS 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA LX, MY SUGGESTION IS WHOEVER OWN THE CROWN VICTORIA SHOULD SIGN THE LAW SUIT TO SUE THEM IF NOT ONE DAY YOU, YOUR WIFE AND YOUR KIDS WILL FALL OUT OF THE MOUNTAIN THEN IT'S TOO LATE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514346May 30, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10508102April 13, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVING ALONG INTERSTATE WHEN HEADLAMPS WENT OFF. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH SEVERAL REPORTS BOTH TO NHTSA AND MISC ONLINE SOURCES. OTHER LIGHTS WORK AS EXPECTED. HEADLAMPS WORK SOMETIMES AND SOMETIMES NOT. CLEARLY THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD HAVE A POTENTIALLY DEVASTATING RESULT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10500093February 26, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS DURING NIGHT HOURS, THE HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 140,000. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE AT A COST OF$ 500 PLUS LABOR. UPDATED 04/24/13
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10496128February 1, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME ON THIS VEHICLE!!! RAN OFF ROAD IN PITCH DARK. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10488871December 15, 2012
SUSPENSION, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
INVESTIGATED REAR END NOISE. BOTH AXLES HAVE EXTREME WARE . BEARING FAILURE. AND MUST BE REPLACED. FORD RECALLED ONLY POLICE AND COMMERCIAL P70 P71 AND P72 BY ORDER OF NHTSA. FORD NEW ALL MODELS EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE AS IDENTIFIED IN TSB 030505A ISSUED 3-5-03. MY FORD CV A P74 MODEL WAS MADE 11-05-02. ONLY A SILENT RECALL. AND NOT NOW HONORED AFTER NORMAL WRTY EXPIRES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10480186October 15, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED AND WOULD NOT RE-ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE SITTING OVERNIGHT AND THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE LIGHTS STILL WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 95,343. UPDATED 11/29/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED TWO LATER, THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. THE LIGHTS WORKED FINE UNTIL NOVEMBER 7, 2012. HE STATED HE HAD TO PULL AND HOLD THE PASSENGER HIGH BEAM FLASH ARM IN ORDER TO DRIVE HOME. THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON THE NEXT THE DAY, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. UPDATED 11/29/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10475358September 13, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING AFTER DARK THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED THEMSELVES OFF. THE DASH SWITCH WAS SET ON AUTO SO I CHANGED IT MANUAL BUT NO EFFECT. I DROVE WITH THE HEADLIGHT FLASH SWITCH PULLED IN ORDER TO GET HOME. THE LIGHTS WILL CYCLE BACK ON AND THEN OFF AGAIN WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM ME. WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE OFF IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT POSITION THE DASH SWITCH IS SET ON. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ITEM AND SHOULD BE A RECALL BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. FOR ME TO HAVE A SHOP FIX THIS ITEM WILL COST AROUND $500.00. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473012August 30, 2012
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A ROARING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V328000 (SUSPENSION:REAR) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10472614August 27, 2012
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL SPLIT WHERE THE RIM CONNECTED TO THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V279000 (WHEELS), BUT THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HIM THAT THE RECALL ONLY APPLIED TO THE MODELS THAT WERE BEING USED AS POLICE VEHICLES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INFORMATION WAS NOT INDICATED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10471941August 22, 2012
WHEELS
HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR BACK AND FORTH TO WORK UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. THEN REALIZED THE CAR HAD A FLAT, THEN TOOK TO THE LOCAL TIRE SHOP. WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THE TIRE WAS FINE, BUT THE WHEEL HAD SPLIT AT THE CONNECTION WELD(MAKING IT NO GOOD). FOUND OUT FORD HAD A RECALL, I WENT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER WHERE THEY EXPLAINED IT WAS A DEFECT AND WOULD BE REPLACED IF IT WAS A CURRENT POLICE VEHICLE. WHERE IT IS NOT CAUSE I OWN IT, THEY SAID THEY CAN NOT PERFORM THE RECALL. NOW TELL ME HOW AM I NOT ANYMORE IMPORTANT THAN OUR POLICE OFFICIALS? MY FAMILY IS AT SAFETY RISK, ALONG WITH MYSELF, AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD, BECAUSE THE WHEEL COULD SPLIT AND CAUSE AND ACCIDENT! SO TELL ME WHY WONT FORD STAND BEHIND THERE RECALLED PRODUCT? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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