2003 Ford Crown Victoria Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 2%of 249 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 161,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria, 2% of the 249 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 161,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Spark plug blew out of cylinder #6 and ruined coil-on-plug along with it. I had to take it to a mechanic and they used a time-sert kit to rethread the cylinder spark plug wall and replaced all plugs with factory plugs. I replaced the spark plugs myself 6 months before the incident using aftermarket plugs and it ran fine for about 5,000 miles until a plug blew out....updated 09/22/15 updated 10/13/2015”
NHTSA complaint #10731493, filed 2015-07, 110,000 miles“I was on vacation coming home and the car started to pull then let go and the engine light cam on then car locked up on the high way few seconds latter their was thick white smoke coming from the hood of the car and threw the vents inside the car. I turned the hazard lights on and got out of the car on a heavy high way the car smoked for about 20-40 minutes, after it faded I opened the hood to find the ( manifold intake ) broke spraying the coolant all over the engine and electrical under the hood of the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10650917, filed 2014-10, 199,000 miles“The engine light came on the dash and the car started to slow and sputter as like it was out of gas , when I had my mechanic look he found the intake to the manifold was shattered ( the plastic part that the hoes grips onto . I was coming home from work it was cold and the car just stops working as the loss of the fluid from the intake sprayed all over the motor,belt,hood,electrical and the motor locked up as I was trying to cost to the pull off as it was a major traffic area . The manifold intake broke !!! In new york”
NHTSA complaint #10651955, filed 2014-11, 155,000 miles“Threw a spark plug on interstate. Had to have it towed to nearest Ford dealer and repairs were over $400 plus a rental car to get home. I understand this is a problem with Ford engines. Not good for older peopl traveling alone and out of town by 3 hours. This needs to be fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10695281, filed 2015-03, 108,800 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. While driving approximately 50 MPH, thick white smoke started emitting from the front end of the vehicle. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10648484, filed 2014-10, 200,000 milesEngine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 | 13% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 12% |
| 2006 | 2 | 4% |
| 2005 | 8 | 4% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 6 | 2% |
| 2002 | 1 | 2% |
| 2001 | 3 | 6% |
| 2000 | 2 | 2% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 1 | 0% |
| 1996 | 3 | 1% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria
96 complaintsWheels
42 complaintsSuspension
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsTires
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology