2005 Ford Crown Victoria recalls and problems

The 2005 Ford Crown Victoria has 5 safety recalls and 193 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer.

Recalls
5
Complaints
193
Crashes / fires
13 / 2
Injuries / deaths
10 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2005 Ford Crown Victoria vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2005 Ford Crown Victoria recalls

Recall 15V-861: Exterior Lighting

Reported Dec 22, 2015 · 296,004 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 14V-704: Steering

Reported Nov 5, 2014 · 36,888 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 13V-385: Steering

Reported Aug 29, 2013 · 355,000 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 05V-518: Electrical System

Reported Nov 9, 2005 · 98,836 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the battery cable includes a fusible link that may contact and subsequently chafe on a #2 cross member attaching bolt.

Risk: This condition may result in heat damage and could lead to a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the fusible link and position it away from the cross member bolt. If the fusible link has already chafed and copper wires have been exposed, the fusible link will be replaced. The recall began on november 18, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673, or lincoln/mercury at 1-800-521-4140.

Recall 05V-206: Electrical System

Reported May 9, 2005 · 132,800 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: On certain police interceptors (Cvpi) and commercial heavy duty (Taxi) vehicles, at extremely high operating temperatures, the sound insulating panel, located under the vehicle positioned between the exhaust system and the underbody, could sag and possibly contact the surface of the catalytic converter.

Risk: If this occurs, the insulator might experience charring of the outer layer, burning odor, or smoke which may ultimately result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will remove the existing dash insulator and install a revised design insulator pad free of charge. The recall began on june 3, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

2005 Ford Crown Victoria problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Exterior Lighting101
Steering37
Electrical System22
Power Train14
Vehicle Speed Control11
Engine8
Seat Belts7
Suspension6
Air Bags6
Fuel System, Gasoline5
Visibility5
Structure4

Most reported parts

  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 12
  • Electrical System › Horn — 3
  • Power Train › Driveline — 3
  • Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly — 2
  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap — 2
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages — 2
  • Power Train › Axle Assembly — 2
  • Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft › Seal — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 80,171 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2005 Ford Crown Victoria complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Exterior Lighting · reported Feb 25, 2026
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that the headlights had become intermittently inoperable while driving at night. The contact personally replaced the fuses and undisclosed parts, per the information found online; however, the failure persisted. The odometer was inoperable. The dealer was contacted and informed that the vehicle had been previously repaired for the failure. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed, but assistance was denied. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Seat Belts · reported Sep 22, 2023
In October 2022 a mechanic successfully replaced a dark gray-colored "seat belt retractor assembly and buckle" on the passenger side of my Ford Crown Victoria in response to an Air Bag dashboard light Lamp Fault Code of "3-4" and a Diagnostic Trouble Code of "B2292" ("Restraint System Seatbelt Pretensioner Error"). Such an error renders the entire supplemental restraint system inoperative and necessitates immediate repair service for safe vehicle operation. In September 2023 the Air Bag light displayed a "3-3" LFC with the "B2292" DTC indicating Restraint System Seatbelt Pretensioner Error on…
Exterior Lighting · reported Aug 15, 2023
Safety recall for the LCM was repaired by lameroux Ford in Brookfield but the bypass was not preformed and the lcm is still acting up. Called and they want to charge me to look at the work they failed to do properly. Brought it to another mechanic who verified the LCM was not bypassed.
Steering · reported May 21, 2023
Power steering went out when I was driving and barely avoided a collision. Light went out another time when I was driving.
Electrical System · reported Oct 10, 2022
Safety Recall 19S35b Processor Lighting cont was done on 3/22/2021on my working part. The original module was working fine. Now the new light module is faulty. Dealership took out part and tested it. Determined that is was faulty causing my lights to fail. Dealership and Ford has denied covering a replacement of the failed part. It would seem that the part should be still covered since it is a part that was part of a recall.

Other Ford Crown Victoria years

Compare all Ford Crown Victoria years · All Ford models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria: 15V-861 (exterior lighting), 14V-704 (steering), 13V-385 (steering), 05V-518 (electrical system), 05V-206 (electrical system). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria?

Owners report exterior lighting problems most often (101 reports), followed by steering (37). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 80,171 miles.

Are Ford recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Ford dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.