MYRModel Year Report

2004 Ford Crown Victoria

◆ Worse than typical
2004 Ford Crown Victoria
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:52:25.121Z

This year had 30% to 100% more 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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
138
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Exterior lighting

59% 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 2000 2001: 53 complaints 2002: 58 complaints 2003: 249 complaints 2004: 138 complaints 2004 138 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 2003: 249 complaints 2004: 138 complaints 2004 138 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 2003: 249 complaints 2004: 138 complaints 2004 138 2005: 193 complaints 2006: 53 complaints 2006 2007: 50 complaints 2008: 50 complaints 2008 2009: 44 complaints 2010: 12 complaints 2010 2011: 23 complaints

2004: 138 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.

Exterior lighting

59% · 82 reports

Most commonly citing headlights.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

My car was recalled for a faulty lighting control module and was repaired in June 2014 because the headlights failed. Today the lights experienced the exact same failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-09

Electrical system

17% · 23 reports
FIRE

Steering

14% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing column.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Driving s on m-10 from i-94 to i-75 entrance ramp. I entered the ramp at 25- 30 MPH when the steering locked up, I could not turn the wheel. Before I knew it I hit the curb and then rolled over approx.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-04-07

Also filed under Engine and engine cooling

2004 Ford Crown Victoria lx. 4 door sedan. Steering column is not aligned with front seat. The column is 3" Off center towards the drivers door .Ford reps. Tell me that's the way the car was manufactured.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-07-30

Engine and engine cooling

7% · 10 reports

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

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle was parked and turned off. Fifteen minutes later the consumer was informed that the vehicle was on fire. The fire department responded and put the fire out. The vehicle was totaled.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-03-29

Wheels

7% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing rim.

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    2004Complaint volume 138 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2004-08-02Recall queryClosed 2004-12-20 Fracture of the steel wheel rim
  3. R
    2005-06-03Electrical system05V206000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will remove the existing dash insulator and install a revised design insulator pad free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2005. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
  5. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2008-11-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-03-24 Loss of headlight function
  7. I
    2014-07-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2014-11-21 Steering Column Shaft Obstruction
  8. I
    2015-04-01Defect petitionClosed 2015-08-11 Loss of headlamp/exterior lighting
  9. I
    2015-08-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 2016-01-08 Loss of headlights
  10. R
    2017-04-14Exterior lighting15V861000 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.

    Remedy: 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 is 15S39.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Ford Crown Victoria — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Exterior lighting: 82 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 23 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 19 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 05V206000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 06E056000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 15V861000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria?
The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 59% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria have?
3 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.