2005 Ford Crown Victoria Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Ford Crown Victoria has 193 complaints, a complaint index of 100, and 5 recalls, making it the worst year of the 7 model years with data and rated Avoid. Electrical System problems dominate at 56% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 80,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 7 Crown Victoria years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 193
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 13
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 10
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 15 city / 21.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 1
Top 2005 Ford Crown Victoria problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System108 (56%)
- Steering36 (19%)
- Engine21 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain14 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (5%)
- Fuel System7 (4%)
- Seat Belts7 (4%)
- Airbags6 (3%)
- Brakes5 (3%)
- Structure & Body4 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Headlights and taillights shut off unexpectedly, traced by owners to a failed lighting control module.
- Tie rods failed at low mileage, causing loss of steering control and collisions.
- Rear tires separated tread while driving at highway speed, leading to loss of control.
- Rear seat belt retractors spooled out excessively, failing to restrain occupants in a crash.
- Engines reportedly surged or lurched forward without driver input, including while stopped or at low speed.
- A burning smell preceded sudden headlight failure linked to the lighting control module.
2005 Ford Crown Victoria recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V861000Dec 22, 2015Electrical System296,004 vehicles
Exterior lighting:headlights
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.
Risk: A loss of headlights can reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 14V704000Nov 5, 2014Steering36,888 vehicles
Steering:rack and pinion:pinion shaft
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
- NHTSA 13V385000Aug 29, 2013Steering355,000 vehicles
Steering
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.
Risk: If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
2005 Ford Crown Victoria fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 21.5 MPG
- Combined
- 17.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,725
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Crown Victoria years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
- Among the 7 Crown Victoria model years with data, 2005 ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100 and 193 complaints, and carries an Avoid verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2005 Crown Victoria?
- Electrical System issues account for 56% of complaints, mostly tied to a lighting control module, with a median failure mileage of 80,000.
- Does the 2005 Crown Victoria have a recall?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2005 Crown Victoria, covering the Electrical System and Steering, including a lighting control module replacement and an intermediate steering shaft repair.
- How does the 2005 Crown Victoria compare to other years?
- The 2005 model has a complaint index of 100, far higher than 2010 (17) and 2011 (0), which are rated Best, and higher than every other year listed.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Crown Victoria?
- EPA rates the 2005 Crown Victoria at 17.5 mpg combined (15 city / 21.5 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $3,725.