2009 Ford Crown Victoria Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2009 Ford Crown Victoria has 44 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 67, ranking 3rd worst of 7 model years, with a Caution verdict. Steering (39% of complaints) and fuel system issues (27%) dominate, backed by two steering recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #3 of 7 Crown Victoria years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 44
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2009 Ford Crown Victoria problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering17 (39%)
- Fuel System12 (27%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (16%)
- Electrical System5 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (11%)
- Airbags3 (7%)
- Engine2 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (5%)
- Brakes1 (2%)
- Other1 (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 intermediate shaft separates while driving, causing loss of control and collision with curbs or trees.
- Fuel pumps fail erratically, cutting power and stopping the vehicle in the roadway, sometimes leading to repeated replacements on the same vehicle.
- Airbags fail to deploy in front and rear-impact crashes, including one case at approximately 20 mph.
- Electrical fires start under the hood while the vehicle is parked and unattended, spreading into the engine and passenger compartments.
- Transmission loses all forward gears at highway speed due to a cracked forward clutch cylinder.
- Rear axle or wheel bearing seals fail early, covering brake discs and calipers with grease.
2009 Ford Crown Victoria recalls
2 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.
2009 Ford Crown Victoria fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 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.
2009 compared with other Crown Victoria years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 model ranks 3rd worst of 7 Crown Victoria years, with a complaint index of 67 and a Caution verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2009 Crown Victoria?
- Steering is the top complaint area, making up 39% of the 44 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 129,839 miles, and it's tied to two NHTSA recalls for the intermediate steering shaft.
- Does the 2009 Crown Victoria have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2009 Crown Victoria, both involving the steering intermediate shaft; neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2009 Crown Victoria compare to other years?
- The 2009 is worse than the 2006, 2010, and 2011 model years, which carry Good or Best verdicts, but better than the 2005 and 2008 model years, which are rated Avoid.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Crown Victoria?
- EPA rates the 2009 Crown Victoria at 19 mpg combined (16 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400.