Summary
The Ford Crown Victoria has 38 recalls spanning the 1987–2008 production run, with the most serious recent issue being incorrectly swapped brake lines at the anti-lock brake control unit on 2007 models, where pressure intended for the right rear wheel goes to the right front instead, causing the brakes to behave unpredictably and raising the risk of a crash.
The final model years have two additional issues: 2007 windshields that may not be fully bonded to the body, which can produce water leaks and noise, and a 2008 Police Interceptor label placing incorrect seating capacity on the tire placard.
Through the mid-2000s, Police Interceptor and taxi variants on 2004–2005 models have a sound insulating panel under the vehicle that can sag against the catalytic converter surface, char, and potentially ignite. A 2005 recall addresses intermediate steering shaft joints on vehicles previously repaired under an earlier campaign, where the repair procedure itself could over-extend a collapsible joint and weaken steering. The 2003 model year Police Interceptor and taxi steel wheels can develop cracks near the rim weld and lose air rapidly, affecting control, and a dash insulator on those same commercial variants can contact the catalyst and smolder. Also on 2003 models, the lighting control module can drop headlights from full beam to reduced daytime running light output without warning. A 2002 natural gas variant has a T-fitting connecting two fuel tanks that can leak when the ignition is on, creating a fire risk near an ignition source.
The 2000 model year has a loose airbag crash sensor that can delay deployment in a crash, a rear seatbelt retractor bolt that may not hold the occupant in a collision, and a wiper control module that can fail under heavy load from ice or snow, leaving the driver with no wipers. Going back to the late 1990s, the 1997 model has a rear brake line that chafes against a floor pan rib on traction control–equipped vehicles, leaking fluid and producing a spongy pedal, and a natural gas fuel tank that can have its fiberglass wrap damaged by an interior fire, weakening the tank enough to rupture. The 1996 natural gas variant shares a similar tank vulnerability.
Earlier production covers a range of issues across police, taxi, and civilian trims. On 1994–1995 models, upper front control arm bracket bolts can loosen, fracture, and in the worst case allow the arm to contact the steering column shaft and cause loss of steering. The 1995 models also have rear outboard seatbelt D-ring rivets that can fracture under crash loads and release the belt, along with headlamp circuit breakers that may be swapped with power window breakers so that both headlights go dark rather than flash during a short. The 1993 Police Package has the same control arm bolt loosening risk. On 1992 Police Interceptor vehicles, the fuel tank is vulnerable to puncture in high-speed rear impacts, and a floor-mounted unused power seat connector can accumulate salt water and overheat, releasing fumes or starting a fire. The 1992 model also has a hood latch striker on police and taxi units that can wear or detach and let the hood fly open, and incorrect anti-lock brake warning light wiring that leaves the driver unaware of an ABS fault. The 1990 model year has rear brake lines with insufficient clearance that can abrade and leak on police package 5.8-liter vehicles, a
