2005 Ford Crown Victoria: common problems and reliability

One of the weaker Crown Victoria years.

193 owner complaints, most about exterior lighting. 6 recalls.

Should I buy one?

The 2005 Ford Crown Victoria has 193 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are exterior lighting and steering.

Safety record for the 2005 model year

193
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
13
Crash reports
2
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2005 Ford Crown Victoria vehicles (US, public record).

The Year Score compares this year with other Crown Victoria years only. How we score it

Is 2005 a good year for the Crown Victoria?

Across the 15 Crown Victoria model years we track, complaint volume runs from 12 (2010) to 316 (1997). With 193 complaints, the 2005 Crown Victoria sits above the model's median of 137.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

exterior lighting
99
steering
36
electrical system
21
power train
14
vehicle speed control
11

Recalls affecting the 2005 Crown Victoria

exterior lighting:headlights

Campaign 15V861000

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.

steering:rack and pinion:pinion shaft

Campaign 14V704000

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.

steering

Campaign 13V385000

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.

fuel system, gasoline

Campaign 06E056000

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Show 2 more recalls

electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables

Campaign 05V518000

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BATTERY CABLE INCLUDES A FUSIBLE LINK THAT MAY CONTACT AND SUBSEQUENTLY CHAFE ON A #2 CROSS MEMBER ATTACHING BOLT.

electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash

Campaign 05V206000

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.

What owners say across generations

Overwhelmingly positive sentiment based on its reputation for durability, simplicity, and value.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Crown Victoria. See the full Crown Victoria owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Crown Victoria listings typically run $6,798–$10,340 across 1997 to 2011 model years.

Other Crown Victoria model years

Compare every Crown Victoria year side by side to see how 2005 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Crown Victoria against its rivals

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