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 53 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Ford Crown Victoria, and it carries 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 21 | 40% |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 11% |
| Air bags | 4 | 8% |
| Steering | 3 | 6% |
| Structure | 3 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4% |
| Power train | 2 | 4% |
| Steering | 1 | 2% |
| Air bags | 1 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle was sluggish. The contact applied more pressure to the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle unintendedly shifted into d
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I HAD THIS VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECALL IN 2014 AND ACCORDING TO THE DEALER REPAIR THE STEERING COLUMN WAS WITHIN LIMITS NOT TO COMPLETE THE SECOND HALF OF RECALL 13S08 BUT A FEW WEEKS AGO MY STEERING SHAFT SEPARATED WITH N
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, there were banging, clunking and abnormal sounds coming from the steering wheel. The contact veered to the side of the road. Upon insp
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BECAME INOPERABLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS ALSO INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE CAR DEALERSHIP DIDN'T TELL US THAT THIS CAR HAVE NO AIR BAG AND ALSO NOTHING WAS CHECKING OR CHANGE ON THE CAR. WE PAID FOR THE CAR AT 2700 AND THE ELECTRIC AND THE RADIATOR ARE BAD AND ALSO THE AC UNIT IS BAD THEY D
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING CEASED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO CHUCK RENZE FORD LOCATED AT 751 E LAKE SHORE DR, MAN
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD CROWN VICTORIA,.WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRESCOTT BROTHERS FORD LINCOLN OF PRI
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AT A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2006 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 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 | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 51 | average |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 21 of them (40%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (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 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 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 64/100. 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.