2002 Ford Crown Victoria

▲ Better than typical
2002 Ford Crown Victoria
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:43:59.523Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
58
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

16% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 2 complaints 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 21 complaints 1986: 27 complaints 1987: 42 complaints 1988: 43 complaints 1988 1989: 75 complaints 1990: 43 complaints 1991: 56 complaints 1992: 316 complaints 1992 1993: 188 complaints 1994: 198 complaints 1995: 250 complaints 1996: 276 complaints 1996 1997: 288 complaints 1998: 119 complaints 1999: 134 complaints 2000: 85 complaints 2001: 53 complaints 2002: 58 complaints 2002 58 2003: 249 complaints 2004: 138 complaints 2005: 193 complaints 2006: 53 complaints 2007: 50 complaints 2008: 50 complaints 2008 2009: 44 complaints 2010: 12 complaints 2011: 23 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 2 complaints 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 21 complaints 1986: 27 complaints 1986 1987: 42 complaints 1988: 43 complaints 1988 1989: 75 complaints 1990: 43 complaints 1990 1991: 56 complaints 1992: 316 complaints 1992 1993: 188 complaints 1994: 198 complaints 1994 1995: 250 complaints 1996: 276 complaints 1996 1997: 288 complaints 1998: 119 complaints 1998 1999: 134 complaints 2000: 85 complaints 2000 2001: 53 complaints 2002: 58 complaints 2002 58 2003: 249 complaints 2004: 138 complaints 2004 2005: 193 complaints 2006: 53 complaints 2006 2007: 50 complaints 2008: 50 complaints 2008 2009: 44 complaints 2010: 12 complaints 2010 2011: 23 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 2 complaints 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 21 complaints 1986: 27 complaints 1986 1987: 42 complaints 1988: 43 complaints 1988 1989: 75 complaints 1990: 43 complaints 1990 1991: 56 complaints 1992: 316 complaints 1992 1993: 188 complaints 1994: 198 complaints 1994 1995: 250 complaints 1996: 276 complaints 1996 1997: 288 complaints 1998: 119 complaints 1998 1999: 134 complaints 2000: 85 complaints 2000 2001: 53 complaints 2002: 58 complaints 2002 58 2003: 249 complaints 2004: 138 complaints 2004 2005: 193 complaints 2006: 53 complaints 2006 2007: 50 complaints 2008: 50 complaints 2008 2009: 44 complaints 2010: 12 complaints 2010 2011: 23 complaints

2002: 58 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19812
19823
19835
19846
198521
198627
198742
198843
198975
199043
199156
1992316
1993188
1994198
1995250
1996276
1997288
1998119
1999134
200085
200153
200258
2003249
2004138
2005193
200653
200750
200850
200944
201012
201123

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

16% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing front underhood.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

..

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-08-20

Also filed under Service brakes and structure

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-12-30

Service brakes

16% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Fuel system, gasoline

14% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing tank assembly and filler pipe and cap.

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing engine and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

FIRE

Vehicle speed control

10% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

While parking vehicle experienced sudden acceleration when shiftiting from drive. As a result the consumer's vehicle collided with two other vehicles which damaged front end.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-08-27

While driving 2 MPH and without warning, vehicle accelerated on its own about 15 MPH, resulting in an accident. Dealer has been notified about problem on other occasions, and vehicle has not been serviced.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-05-28

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2002-09-13Fuel system, other02V249000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a redesigned "T" Fitting on #4 fuel tank and tested for leakage. Owner notification began September 13, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable…

  2. I
    2002-10-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-01-27 Cng tank exploding in a fire
  3. I
    2003-01-27Engineering analysisClosed 2003-11-19 Cng tank explosion
  4. R
    2004-01-07Fuel system, other03V472000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will install an insulator behind the current seat back. Owner notification began on January 7, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

  5. I
    2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
  6. R
    2006-08-04Fuel system, gasoline06E056000 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…

    Remedy: 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.

  7. R
    2015-10-28Steering15E082000 Dorman Products, Inc.

    Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, option 5.

  8. R
    Date not on fileFuel system, gasoline02I003000 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.

    Remedy: Ford has advised us that shield kits have been available since late October and will be installed on police interceptor vehicles at no cost. The optional trank package will be available by the end of 2002.

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Ford Crown Victoria — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 9 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 9 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 8 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02I003000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 02V249000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 03V472000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 06E056000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 15E082000 · Steering

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Ford Crown Victoria is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford Crown Victoria?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 16% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Crown Victoria have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.