2008 Ford Crown Victoria Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2008 Ford Crown Victoria ranks 2nd worst of 7 model years with a complaint index of 83 and is rated Avoid. Steering accounts for half of its 50 complaints, with 3 recalls including two for the steering intermediate shaft.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 83/100
- #2 of 7 Crown Victoria years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 50
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 11
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 1
Top 2008 Ford Crown Victoria problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering25 (50%)
- Engine13 (26%)
- Electrical System6 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (12%)
- Brakes3 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (6%)
- Fuel System2 (4%)
- Other2 (4%)
- Structure & Body2 (4%)
- Airbags1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel suddenly develops excessive play or spins a full 360 degrees while the vehicle continues straight, sometimes at highway speed.
- Loss of steering control at low speed leads to a crash into another vehicle, with occupants injured.
- Vehicle jerks sharply to one side and rolls over, taking down utility poles and power lines.
- Accelerator pedal sticks to the floorboard while approaching a stop, causing a crash into a fixed object.
- A stuck throttle linkage after an initial collision leads to a second, higher-speed impact.
- Passenger-side visor light stays on after the visor is closed and burns the visor material, tied to an electrical fault.
2008 Ford Crown Victoria recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 07V270000Jun 26, 2007Suspension, Wheels & Tires8,800 vehicles
Suspension:front:hub
On certain passenger vehicles, a front wheel bearing and hub assembly may fracture due to improper heat treatment.
Risk: 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.
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.
2008 Ford Crown Victoria fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- 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.
2008 compared with other Crown Victoria years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 model ranks 2nd worst out of 7 Crown Victoria model years, with a complaint index of 83 and an Avoid verdict.
- What is the main problem with the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria?
- Steering is the top problem area, making up 25 of 50 complaints (50%), including reports of sudden loss of steering control and excessive play in the wheel.
- Does the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria have a steering recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists two steering-related recalls for this year, campaigns 14V704000 and 13V385000, both covering the intermediate steering shaft, plus a third recall for a front wheel bearing and hub issue.
- At what mileage do 2008 Crown Victoria steering problems show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 97,000 miles for steering complaints on the 2008 model.
- Which Crown Victoria years are better than 2008?
- According to NHTSA data, 2006 (complaint index 33, Good), 2010 (17, Best), and 2011 (0, Best) rank better than the 2008 model.