Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 193 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 85 | 44% |
| Steering | 28 | 15% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 6% |
| Power train | 11 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 3% |
| Air bags | 4 | 2% |
| Steering | 4 | 2% |
| Engine | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 in
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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. Bro
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
Power steering went out when I was driving and barely avoided a collision. Light went out another time when I was driving.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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 w
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front headlights became inoperable creating a visibility hazard for the driver. The cause of the failure was not yet d
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the exterior lights became inoperable. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
DESPITE HAVING SUBJECT VEHICLE SERVICED BY A DEALERSHIP UNDER RECALL 13V385, THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT DEVELOPED A CORROSION DEFECT AFTER FOUR YEARS WHEREIN IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE AT LOWER SPEEDS AND
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
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 intermedia
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 re
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
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
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
Risk: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
| Reliability raw | 69 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 51 | average |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 193 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and exterior lighting is the most reported area with 85 of them (44%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 69/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 61/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.