FORD CROWN VICTORIA · model year

2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA

71 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002FORDCROWN VICTORIA carries 71 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 3 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 CROWN VICTORIA is electrical system with 8 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly (6) and steering (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2002 CROWN VICTORIA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

71
Complaints
11
Crashes
3
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

71 filings

Crashes Reported

11 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY6
STEERING4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS2
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT2
WHEELS:RIM2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
WHEELS2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
SEAT BELTS2
SERVICE BRAKES2

Recalls (5)

02I00300015/10/2002

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

IN ORDER TO ENHANCE POLICE OFFICE SAFETY, MODEL YEAR 1992-2003 CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR (CVPI) VEHICLES WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH SHIELDS DESIGNED TO HELP PROTECT THE FUEL TANK IN HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES. FORD ALSO WILL BE OFFERING AN OPTIONAL TRUNK PACKAGE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE SAFE

06E05600013/06/2006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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

03V47200006/11/2003

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

ON CERTAIN NATURAL GAS VEHICLES, IF A FLAME FROM A VEHICLE INTERIOR FIRE BECOMES LOCALLY DIRECTED AT THE NATURAL GAS FUEL TANK LOCATED IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE REAR SEAT, THE FLAME COULD DAMAGE THE FIBERGLASS WRAP ON THE TANK WEAKENING THE TANK.

15E08200006/10/2015

STEERING

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering sha

02V24900006/09/2002

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

ON CERTAIN NATURAL GAS MODEL VEHICLES, A T-FITTING THAT CONNECTS FUEL TANKS #3 AND #4 CAN DEVELOP A LEAK WHEN THE SOLENOID VALVES ARE ENERGIZED, SUCH AS WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS IN THE ON POSITION OR DURING REFUELING.

Recent Complaints

20250820CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

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20250820CrashSERVICE BRAKES

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20250820CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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20220124ENGINE

Driving down the roadway at 55 mph a spark plug in cylinder 2 blow out. The car started making a popping noise and started to lose power. After a while the car shut off. The car was able to restart and be driven home. Upon inspection by a mechanic they found the spark plug had came dislodged and shot out of the cylinder and caused damage to the cylinder head the ignition coil and fuel rail. A new Heli coil was installed. A year later while in Texas driving down the road around 35 mph car made a pop noise and shot a spark plug out of cylinder 5 cause the car to lose power and start smoking with a heavy smell of fuel. Car was stopped and inspected. Found a spark plug was blown out of cylinder 5 with damage to the ignition cylinder and fuel rail. repaired the heli coil and placed with new spark plug ignition coil and fuel rail. 2019 while driving down road at 75 mph vehicle makes a loud pop and starts to lose power. Upon inspection by mechanic find spark plug blown out of cylinder 1 with

20160830EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE TURN SIGNALS AND HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO WORK, EXCEPT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS DID NOT WORK AND THE DASHBOARD WAS BLACKED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE THE VEHICLE FOR A DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. UPDATED 10/06/16*LJ ** UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ *TR

Mileage: 38,000

20160830ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE TURN SIGNALS AND HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO WORK, EXCEPT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS DID NOT WORK AND THE DASHBOARD WAS BLACKED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE THE VEHICLE FOR A DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. UPDATED 10/06/16*LJ ** UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ *TR

Mileage: 38,000

20160803EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMPS DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V861000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 197,000.

Mileage: 197,000

20160106ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND PROCEEDING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MANIFOLD WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,218.

Mileage: 81,218

20141230FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAD DRIVEN UP A STEEP MOUNTAIN DIRT ROAD TO SERVE SOME LEGAL PAPERS, AFTER REACHING THE TOP, I CONTINUED DOWN THE OTHER SIDE TO THE ADDRESS I WAS LOOKING FOR. I THOUGHT I STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING, IT SMELLED ELECTRICAL. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE ADDRESS, I STOPPED THE CAR AND SHUT IT OFF WHILE I WAS SPEAKING WITH THE RESIDENT. MY WIFE YELLED AT ME THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE, IT STARTED FILLING UP WITH SMOKE FAST, MY WIFE AND DOGS WERE STILL IN THE CAR. I OPENED THE DRIVERS DOOR TO POP THE HOOD WHILE MY WIFE STARTED GETTING THE DOGS OUT, I THEN NOTICED IT WAS MY FLOOR THAT WAS BURNING, JUST ABOUT UNDER THE GAS PEDDLE, A HOLE HAD BURNED THROUGH AND THE METAL WAS GLOWING RED WHERE THE PADDING HAD BURNED AWAY. I POURED A CUP OF COFFEE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WHILE THE RESIDENT GOT SOME WATER FOR ME. THE PADDING AND RUBBER MAT HAD BURNED AWAY AND A HOLE ABOUT 3 INCHES LONG HAD MELTED AWAY FROM THE FLOOR BOARD. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS DIRECTLY BENEATH THE HOLE BUT THERE DOESN'T

Mileage: 132,421

20141107SEAT BELTS

TL** THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT BECAME UNLATCHED SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V227001 (SEAT BELTS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Mileage: 50,000

20140909STEERING

BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A FELLOW FRIEND HE ADVISED ME THAT THE CAR HAS HAD A ISSUE WITH THE STEERING WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL HAS PLAY TO IT AND ITS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN I DRIVE OVER 50MPH IM SCARED I MAY CRASH CAUSE THE CAR MOVES LEFT TO RIGHT, AND THE ABS BRAKES HAVE A PROBLEM THE BRAKE JUMP WHEN I HIT THEM IDK WHAT TO DO IM LOW ON FUNDS AND I WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS A DEFECT THESE CARS ARE KNOWN FOR STEERING AND BRAKES DEFECTS..... *TR

Mileage: 120,898

20140909SERVICE BRAKES

BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A FELLOW FRIEND HE ADVISED ME THAT THE CAR HAS HAD A ISSUE WITH THE STEERING WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL HAS PLAY TO IT AND ITS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN I DRIVE OVER 50MPH IM SCARED I MAY CRASH CAUSE THE CAR MOVES LEFT TO RIGHT, AND THE ABS BRAKES HAVE A PROBLEM THE BRAKE JUMP WHEN I HIT THEM IDK WHAT TO DO IM LOW ON FUNDS AND I WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS A DEFECT THESE CARS ARE KNOWN FOR STEERING AND BRAKES DEFECTS..... *TR

Mileage: 120,898

20140714STEERING

POWER STEERING STARTED CATCHING AND COULDN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SMOOTHLY. HIT A CURB WITH MY TIRE AND ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR. STILL JAMMING BUT I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO TAKE IT INTO A DEALERSHIP. HELP! *TR

Mileage: 138,000

20130903STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILED AND THE WHEEL BECAME TIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

20120529SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT CAME UNDONE. THE CONTACT RE-SECURED THE SEAT BELT AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PURCHASE A SEAT BELT EXTENSION IN ORDER TO KEEP THE SEAT BELT BUCKLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF THE VEHICLE SAFETY WARRANTY AND HE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT HIMSELF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40800.

Mileage: 40,800

20120215ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

POWER WINDOWS FRONT ELECTRIC WHEN YOU TOUCH REAR WINDOW BUTTON THE DRIVERS WINDOW GOES DOWN. *TR

20120215VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

POWER WINDOWS FRONT ELECTRIC WHEN YOU TOUCH REAR WINDOW BUTTON THE DRIVERS WINDOW GOES DOWN. *TR

20111128ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. DRIVER (MY RETIRED MOTHER, AGE 72) HAD TO GET CAR OFF ROAD AND RESTART CAR TO CONTINUE. THE POWER STEERING DISABLED WHEN THE CAR ENGINE STALLED. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES (2-3) OVER THE PAST MONTH, AND THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND IS UNABLE TO CORRECT IT. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THERE WAS A THUMPING NOISE AND THE CAR SLOWED CONSIDERABLY, BUT THEN PICKED BACK UP AGAIN. THE "ENGINE HEAT/THERMOMETER" LIGHT HAS FLASHED ALSO, BUT THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE HEAT IS NORMAL. I CONSIDER THIS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MY MOTOR IF IT WOULD HAPPEN IN A HEAVILY CONGESTED, HIGH TRAFFIC AREA AND COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASHES. IT IS A VERY STRESSFUL SITUATION.

Mileage: 40,134

20110903ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAD BEEN DRIVING 250 MILES OR SO AND DROVE DOWN A LONG WINDING INCLINE, AS THE ROAD FLATTENED OUT I HEARD A NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE A HOLE IN THE FIRST PART OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. I FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A SLIGHT ODOR OF NATURAL GAS AS THIS VEHICLE IS FUELED WITH NATURAL GAS. AFTER THE ODOR PASSED, I OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THAT THE #2 IGNITION COIL MOUNT WAS BROKEN, AND THE COIL AND SPARK PLUG ASSEMBLY WERE LOOSE IN THE SPARK PLUG WELL. MY INITIAL THOUGHT WAS THE SPARK PLUG HAD LOOSENED AND EJECTED. I ATTEMPTED TO RE-INSTALL THE SPARK PLUG BUT THE THREADS IN THE CYLINDER HEAD WERE INEFFECTIVE. THE SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. I HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON DEFECT FOR THESE FORD ENGINES. THE REPAIR INVOLVED REAMING AND TAPPING THE SPARK PLUG HOLE AND PLACING AN INSERT IN THE HOLE. THE SPARK PLUG COIL HAD TO BE REPLACED TOO. THE REPAIR COST WAS $450 AND TH

Mileage: 116,954

20090826ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 TO 50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE "ABS" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT AXLE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION;REAR) WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THERE WERE CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

Compare 2002FORDCROWN VICTORIA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA have?
The 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA has 71 NHTSA complaints, 11 crashes, 3 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA?
Yes, the 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA?
The most-complained component for the 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY and STEERING.
Is the 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.